Aloha!
“May you live in interesting times.” We are experiencing weather conditions that are catastrophic to communities, even as we mourn the death of a former U.S. president while trying to transition to the policies of a new presidential administration. We are besieged with ongoing economic, intellectual, and political events that have global consequences in ways large and small. It is too much, happening too quickly, to too many and while it can definitely be called “interesting,” it can also be paralyzing.
Living through these interesting times requires us to find hope, joy, and purpose wherever we can, whenever we can, however we can. This is why the Hawaii Education Association (HEA) is grateful for you. With your support, we are able to focus on a purpose that offers hope for our future: supporting education and educators throughout our state.
Despite the chaotic and tragic start to the new year, HEA was able to join with leaders, educators, and other stakeholder groups to learn more about the possibilities of developing the next generation of teachers through teacher development and apprentice programs. In the room were decision makers, educational leaders, committed funders, college and university leads, and educational non-profit representatives all sharing how we might be able do what we can, with what we have, from where we are in support of the education profession.
The ongoing challenge of recruiting, preparing and retaining educators may seem overwhelming, but there are things that can be done, things that ARE being done right now, and things we can work together to get done to address the challenge. This includes the work that has been put in place with the Hawaii Alliance for Future Teachers (a now sunsetted group that helped provide the foundation for the DOE’s Education Pathway) to the amazing multi-million dollar federally funded teacher apprenticeship program to provide a strong pathway for our students.
The collective “we” can make big strides for our Hawai’i schools by helping our students move from our high schools, through our colleges and universities, then back into our classrooms (as teachers) with lots of experience and little college debt. From there we can work to address the unique needs of our educators as well as the needs they may have in common with other members of Hawaii’s workforce.
A blueprint for that work was presented at our Education Summit by Dr. Carla Warren. Using the federally funded apprenticeship model as a framework, Dr. Warren made sure everyone in the room left with an understanding that there was a piece of this work that they are uniquely positioned to support. What comes next is up to us.
Our time, our talent, and our treasure are gifts that can be shared in this endeavor. As we move forward in these “interesting times,” please know that HEA stands ready to be good stewards of any gifts you are ready to put to use as we continue our work for Hawaii’s schools and educators.
Mahalo always,
Joan Kamila Lewis
Board President
