For 25 years, Mrs. Deborah Duval has inspired students to excel in 6th-grade math and has prepared them for Upper school. As she departs, colleagues and students will miss her deeply and say that they are in denial. Through her impact, her personality, and countless unforgettable moments, Mrs. Duval left a lasting mark. Without her, Iolani loses a pillar in the 6th-grade community.

Ms. Lyndsey Arakawa ’08, a longtime colleague and former student of Mrs. Duval said, “Our sixth-grade team loses a leader. She’s been here for 25 years. She knows how everything runs and has taken us through so many changes over the years. Without her, we’d lose that level of organization and forethought.” The importance of Mrs. Duval’s impact on the 6th-grade community will be greatly missed.

Along with her impact both colleagues and students treasure their interactions with Mrs. Duval. When asked to describe her as an animal, Sienna S. ’29 said, “She’d be a dog—always nice, supportive, and loyal.” 6th-grade teacher Ms. Kenedi Lopes ’17 described her as generous, sharing both her time and snacks, with a great sense of humor and a caring attitude. Despite knowing how amazing she is at her job, Mrs. Duval is always humble and generous, never leaving anything on the table.

Mrs. Duval’s fondest memories come from moments spent with students. She recalled, “One of the best experiences was when students could just come into the room in the mornings. “I’d help with homework, or we’d just sit and tell stories.” Sienna shared this experience, often going early to seek help or to share interesting stories. Seidel also appreciated how Mrs. Duval made lessons fun and engaging, often tying math concepts and terms to soccer, which she loved.

When asked what is iconic about Mrs. Duval, Ms. Arakawa mentioned the phrase, “Getting Duvaled,” now popular among the current 6th graders. “You do something dumb and Mrs. Duval calls you out on it,” she said. Additionally, Ms. Lopes highlighted Mrs. Duval’s hardcore dedication to Halloween, to the point where she’s nearly unrecognizable in costume.

Throughout her career, Mrs. Duval accomplished many feats, from becoming the 6th-grade Math Department Head to founding the Lower School Math Club. When asked what she’d miss most, she said, “Other than the students, it will be my sixth-grade colleagues. “We’ve worked together so well, helping each other whenever needed.” Mrs. Duval will always be remembered as a generous, supportive leader, constantly teaching and guiding others to be better through both words and actions.

Thank you, Mrs. Duval, for a wonderful 25 years at ‘Iolani!