It's not unusual to see Olomana School math teacher Wima Chulakote still on campus at 8 o'clock at night tutoring students, or meeting them on weekends at fast-food restaurants to give them extra help. That's why he is Hawai'i's 2010 State Teacher of the Year.

"If there is a call for me to be there to help my students, I cannot say no. I am always going to be there for them, whether it's Jack In The Box, 'Aiea's shopping mall, Pearlridge. I'll go anywhere," he said in accepting the award yesterday at a meeting of the state Board of Education.

"My personal belief is you don't need to learn mathematics in the classroom. You can learn mathematics anywhere," he said.

Though Olomana is an alternative public school in Windward O'ahu serving at-risk youth, Chulakote said he never holds his students' background against them.

School vice principal Tina Winquist said Chulakote's engaging classroom environment and his willingness to go beyond what is expected of him earns him the respect of his students.

"He honors the kids for who they are and works with them no matter the baggage they bring with them," Winquist said.

Chulakote, who began his teaching career in 1997, was among seven teachers selected statewide as District Teachers of the Year. He was selected as this year's Windward Oahu District Teacher of the Year.

The District Teachers of the Year included Christine Ho, Honolulu District, Farrington High; Julia Rose LoPresti, Central Oahu District, 'Aiea Intermediate; Kathy Lin, Leeward Oahu District, Highlands Intermediate; Samantha Funes, Hawai'i District, Keonepoko Elementary; Emily Haines-Swatek, Maui District, King Kekaulike High; and Crystal Ishida, Kaua'i District, Kekaha Elementary.

"These educators exhibit exemplary skills, dedication, enthusiasm and love of teaching, and serve as true leaders and role models for the entire teaching force," said Garrett Toguchi, chairman of the Board of Education.

Chulakote, a native of Thailand, earned a business management degree in 1983 from the University of Hawai'i-Manoa, and for years he worked informally as a teacher at the Kaimuki Adult School teaching English as a Second Language. It was that experience that sent him back to college to earn his teaching certificate in secondary mathematics in 1997.

His colleagues say he's deserving of the honor because of his dedication to working with at-risk youth. Chulakote says it's challenging but rewarding.

"Some are runaways, some are taking drugs. The lesson I've learned there is, you have to give these students a chance," he said.

He incorporates Thai and Hawaiian meditation techniques into his class, which he says helps his students deal with their anxiety, especially students he works with from the Hawai'i Youth Correctional Facility.

Chulakote also volunteers twice a week to prepare dropouts from the correctional facility and Habilitat for the GED test, so they can earn their high school diploma.

Each of the district teachers received a $500 check from the Polynesian Cultural Center. The state teacher received an additional $1,000 from PCC.

SMARTer Kids Foundation from Canada presented each district teacher with instructional software, and a SMARTBoard and other classroom technology to the state teacher.

The Hawaii Automobile Dealers' Association provides the State Teacher of the Year with a free one-year lease of a car, a Kia Soul.