During HEA’s year of centennial celebrations, the Career and Technical Education (CTE) or Education Pathway $5,000 special award was not presented due to lack of applications. The HEA Board reopened the competition in late 2022, and five outstanding applications were received.
Pearl City High School’s Education Program of Study, under the direction of Ms. Tammy Yoon and Mr. Michael Sana won the award for their proposal to sponsor and host a conference for high school students interested in pursuing a career in education in the 2023-2024 school year. The goal of this event is to have aspiring teachers share the activities they do through their school’s education class or club, brainstorm ways to increase interest in the teaching profession, collaborate on future projects, and strengthen leadership skills.
The Education and Hospitality programs in the Culinary Arts, Health Sciences, and Leadership (CAHSL) Academy will jointly plan and coordinate the event. Academy students will create the schedule and a budget and will invite their business partners to participate: Outrigger Waikīkī, Ritz-Carlton Waikīkī, Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders, and Leeward Community College.
Students and faculty in other high school education pathway schools, Teaching as a Career (TAAC) Clubs, and Hawaii teacher education programs will also be invited to attend and share information about their programs. Pearl City High School is excited to share this opportunity with high school students to create excitement about becoming a teacher and nurture future homegrown educators.