Growing the Profession Starts in Our High Schools

Congratulations to the six high schools that recently received Teaching As A Career (TAAC) grants from HEA to support their
clubs or programs!

James Campbell High
Val Tina Oishi, faculty advisor for James Campbell High School’s Educators Rising Club, has a number of events planned for the 36 student member. The HEA grant will be valuable for a “Teach the Future” workshop for the students, events such as  Keoneula Elementary School’s Fall Fair, Kaimiloa Elementary School’s Read Aloud with Santa, and Seagull School Elementary’s Spring Read Aloud event, lessons at Ilima Intermediate and Ewa Makai Middle schools, and Pohakea Elementary School’s end of year Read Aloud event. The grant will also allow students to participate in competitions held at the Educators
Rising state conference in February 2026.

Farrington High School
Jenny Lundahl, faculty advisor for Farrington High School, has 70 students interested in teaching as a profession, and will use the HEA grant to deliver lessons for Kalākaua Middle School students and to work on the popular Apron Story project that
inspires storytelling and touches on multiple subjects.

Konawaena High School
Jessica Young, faculty advisor for the Konawaena High School’s Ed Rising Club, will use the HEA grant to offer her students a series of sessions and hands-on learning experiences to explore education as a career path. This will include island trips and
special events that include discussions with guest speakers.

Leilehua High School
Leilehua High School’s faculty advisor, Lizchel Ugalde, will use the HEA grant to cover the costs for students to compete in the  Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Hawaii State Leadership Conference and the FCCLA National
Leadership Conference. Participation in these events provide networking opportunities and professional development through friendly competitions. The grant will also allow the students to hosts activities with elementary schools in the same complex  area and shadow experienced teachers in the complex area and teach a lesson in their classes.

Mililani High School
Stephanie Grande-Misaki, faculty advisor for Mililani High School, will use the HEA grant for a Teacher Mo‘olelo, inviting  education professionals to inspire the 41 students in the schools Ed Rising Club who are interested in pursuing teaching  careers. The grant will also be used for third and fourth year students to purchase supplies to prepare lessons for the  neighboring preschool and elementary school students, for the rising educators to present holiday workshops over five
weekends at Mililani Town Center, and for a curriculum and recruitment fair to reach out to other students who want
to be educators.

Pearl City High
Tammy Yoon, faculty advisor for Pearl City High School’s contingent of students who are pursuing teaching as a profession, plans to use the HEA grant for community-based instruction activities. The students will use the funds to purchase supplies
and materials to design and lead engaging activities. This will give them experience in lesson planning, teaching strategies, and classroom management while promoting inclusion and peer-to-peer learning. The students also plan to volunteer at elementary school and community events such as fairs, movie nights and career fairs to raise the visibility of school’s program on teaching to families, students, and community partners.