A Message from the President: Greetings from the School Zone!

November 16, 2023

Aloha!

It is never easy to say aloha to a friend and respected colleague. Joan Lee Husted’s loss affects everyone — far beyond Hawaii’s education community. She made a tremendous impact in the lives of so many and paved new paths for teachers, women leaders, and labor. She was a formidable force that has left a lasting impression on so many of us. Her integrity and straightforwardness were always refreshing and I believe her example will serve as an inspiration for others. Her influence will definitely be felt for generations to come.

Carrying on Joan’s Legacy

Joan’s dedication inspires all of us at HEA to continue to press forward. This is what she would have wanted of us. That’s why we are looking forward to our annual Leadership Summit and Workshop at the Blaisdell Center on December 8 and 9.

Joan never shied away from difficult topics or addressing proverbial elephants in the room. We’ll be tackling the intersection of artificial intelligence and ethics and I’m sure there will be lively discussions to ensure educators remain at the forefront of these new technologies and can use them responsibly.

Get Ready for a Great Leadership Summit and Workshop

We have invited those who are familiar with Hawaii and are friends of HEA: Frederick Lane and Dr. Troy Hutchings. They will share their insights and perspectives with policymakers at our Leadership Summit and educators at our Workshop. You won’t want to miss this. The sessions are free and includes lunch, but you must register. Please take a few minutes to review the session descriptions in this issue of the newsletter and register today through the HEA website.

At the Saturday workshop, we’ve also planned a lively discussion of Pearl City High School students who are pursuing teaching as a profession. It will be led by teacher Tammy Yoon. You’ll want to make sure to hear from the next generation of educators!

Mahalo for Your Ongoing Support

Thank you for all your support. I look forward to seeing you at the Leadership Summit and Workshop!

With much aloha,

Joan Kamila Lewis
Board President

Educator Connection Q3 Newsletter Now Available

The latest issue of our quarterly newsletter, Educator Connection, is here! This issue includes our 2024-25 scholarship recipients and find out about applying for TAAC grants and much more. Look out for your copy in the mail, arriving this week!

HEA Awards More than $18,000 in Scholarships

The Hawaii Education Association (HEA) recently awarded a total of $21,500 in scholarships to 17 individuals at various stages of their teaching careers, from high school graduates who are just entering college to experienced educators pursuing additional education to broaden their capabilities.