HAWAI‘I STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION | JANUARY NEWSLETTER 2020 Editor’s note: Happy New Year! January often represents a time for goal setting and fresh starts. Heading into 2020 lawmakers will be kicking off a new legislative session and fine-tuning the state Editorial Mission budget. With that in mind, our January issue is focused on legislative topics and civic engagement. Hawai‘i’s public school Department seeking legislative support to continue system plays an integral role in the Islands as the state’s addressing persistent teacher shortages largest education provider. he Hawai‘i State Depart- As the Department’s primary T ment of Education (HIDOE) publication, we aim to live is implementing a bold plan to up to the meaning of ha‘aheo begin addressing the perennial — to cherish with pride — by shortage of qualified teachers in bolstering and sustaining the state. pride in public education In November Superintendent and touting the successes Dr. Christina Kishimoto along- happening across the system side Gov. David Ige, Board of as we deliver on the power Education Chairwoman Cather- and promise of public ine Payne, Hawai‘i State Teach- education. er Association President Corey Rosenlee and HIDOE leader- ship announced phase 1 of this « Classroom teachers in three shortage areas, including Hawaiian immer- #PublicSchoolProud plan: a pay differential to in- sion, are eligible for pay differentials. crease compensation for class- ALUMNI room teachers in areas with the steps we need to take to sup- ational functions at the state, Having been most severe shortages – special port our talented educators. It complex and school levels. educated from education, Hawaiian language will take strong policy direction “There is no single solution to kindergarten to 12th grade immersion programs, and hard- from the Board to shift the De- the teacher staffing challenges in the public to-staff geographic locations. partment’s trajectory and we we’re seeing nationwide. The appreciate Gov. Ige’s support as difficulties in recruiting quali- school system, The Board voted 7-2 in favor of I interacted on fied teachers for special educa- implementing the differentials we go forward with these efforts.” a daily basis « beginning Jan. 7. The effective In addition to seeking funding tion, Hawaiian language immer- with every Brandon Lee date was scheduled around a during the upcoming legislative sion and hard-to-staff areas type of person crucial period when teachers session for such recurring needs have created an equity issue for you’ll find in society. Looking have the option to transfer to a as student support services, op- our most vulnerable students,” back, these interactions new position or school. erations and facilities mainte- Kishimoto said. “We have lis- have positively shaped how “We must take positive action nance, Department leadership tened to the feedback of our ed- I think and feel about the world around me. Now I have now to address the growing gap and its legislative team will be ucators and it’s time for bold friendships and relationships of qualified educators who pro- advocating for continued fund- action to unleash the promise and power of public education within my local community vide instruction to our students ing for phase 1 until the short- that will last me a lifetime. on behalf of our haumana.” with the highest needs,” Payne age challenge is addressed, I am fortunate that I had said. “This is the first of several without impacting crucial oper- Work is also underway for committed teachers who cared phase 2 of the strategic initia- enough to challenge me and Category (10-month classroom teachers) Differential tive. The Department antici- my classmates to explore all pates introducing a subsequent Special education $10,000 possibilities. Their dedication proposal to the Board in Janu- in giving their time before, Hawaiian language immersion $8,000 ary, which will coincide with the during and after school, and on weekends, instilled values I Hard-to-staff Tier 1 (Kea‘au and Pāhoa complexes.) $3,000 release of the results of the in- dependent teacher salary study hold dear. Hard-to-staff Tier 2 (Kealakehe, Kohala, Konawaena $5,000 HIDOE commissioned. and Lahainaluna complexes.) Brandon Lee is an institutional HIDOE employees can visit analyst in HIDOE’s Policy, Innova- http://bit.ly/2PYE1JR for a list Hard-to-staff Tier 3 (Honoka‘a and Ka‘ū complexes.) $7,500 tion, Planning and Evaluation of frequently asked questions Branch, responsible for facilitating Hard-to-staff Tier 4 (Hāna, Lāna‘i, Moloka‘i, Nānākuli $8,000 and answers about the salary and coordinating efforts between and Wai‘anae complexes. Also includes Olomana School differentials on the Depart- HIDOE and the Legislature. He is a and Hawai‘i School for the Deaf and the Blind.) ment’s Intranet. Pearl City High School graduate. CONNECT WITH US >> HawaiiPublicSchools.org | 808-784-6200 | Email: [email protected] | Social: JANUARY 2020 CIP funding benefits Hickam El., Solomon El., ‘Ewa Makai Middle campuses Mahalo to the Legislature and governor for helping to fund capital improvement projects that support our students. « Lt. Col. Horace Meek Hickam Elementary School dedicated a new facility designed to boost efforts in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The new two-story building houses a media center, makerspaces, student support services and the administration office. « 1SG Samuel K. Solomon Elementary School opened its new two-story, four-building school complex. The campus replaces the former Solomon campus with new state-of-the-art facilities and includes 63 new classrooms, a student support center, two computer labs, an audio/video room, a covered playcourt, cafeteria and administrative offices. « ‘Ewa Makai Middle School dedicated a new classroom wing to accommodate approximately 450 sixth-graders from feeder schools ‘Ewa Elementary, ‘Ewa Beach Elementary and Keone‘ula Elementary to complete the school’s sixth-to-eighth-grade middle school concept. The new sixth-grade wing adds approximately 54,500 square feet of educational space. PG. 02 » Ho‘oha‘aheo » JANUARY 2020 Teacher Voice What Can One Person Do? Let’s Help Our Haumana Find Out ast spring students asked me L about Greta Thunberg after seeing her posts on social media. HAWAI‘I STATE “So, Miss, I get why she’s doing DEPARTMENT it, but what’s one person gonna of EDUCATION do to fix climate change?” a student asked. Dr. Christina Kishimoto The question caught me off Superintendent guard because it wasn’t part of Phyllis Unebasami our lesson for that day. I gave a Deputy Superintendent convoluted answer that was way too academic for practical ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS application, and the kids Heidi Armstrong moved on. Student Support Services Later, I reflected and, like any teacher, I was ready for them Alisa Bender the next day. Interim Curriculum and Instructional Design EFFECTING REAL CHANGE Brook Conner “One person, like Thunberg, Information Technology Services change that can start a movement, but it’s narrative if we want Cynthia Covell the people and organizations students to be Talent Management that connect to her message civically engaged in our that can make real change. How communities. Brian Hallett can we connect the message of Interim How that played out at ‘Ilima her movement to our islands?” I lieutenant governor. Fiscal Services was through a series of stepped back, letting the student-driven events that As a teacher, student advocacy Rodney Luke students talk. ranged from students and voice regarding climate Strategy, Innovation and In a single class period, change found me. I had to do my Performance participating in rallies and students surfaced concerns interacting with elected research too. In the process, I Christine Shaw about trash, microplastics and officials to discussing issues on made connections to other Interim coral bleaching at Pu‘uloa Beach public access television. organizations that could help Facilities and Operations Park and Hau Bush. Ideas were In March, after finding an grow my teaching practice, and bridged to illegal ghost nets Instagram page titled Climate support my students. killing turtles, and stories from Strike HI (now called the Hawaii AMPLIFY STUDENT VOICE kupuna about how the reefs Youth Climate Coalition @ used to look or how fishing used thehycc) that is run for Hawai‘i When students ask you, What to be in ‘Ewa Beach. students, by Hawai‘i students, can one person do? Be ready. and encourages civic Ask them what they care about. Nanea Kalani ‘SO NOW WHAT?’ Editor participation around climate Ask them what they want to “So now what, Miss?” a student issues, ‘lima students decided to change in their community. Sara Miyazono shrugged at the end of class. demonstrate at recess to raise Elevate and amplify their Creative Director Sometimes when we study awareness among their peers. voices, and connect them to things, students think In May ‘Ilima students organizations doing the work. Lindsay Chambers significant change only happens Nanea Kalani participated in a climate That is ultimately how we’ll Krislyn Yano on a national or international change rally that coincided save the planet. Contributing Writers level. It’s important for students with the #FridaysForFuture to understand it is vital that student movement started by Drew Henmi local communities need to make Derek Inoshita Thunberg, and in September change happen, too. Sarah “Mili” Krislyn Yano students attended the Milianta-Laffin (@ Photographers When it comes to empowering statewide Youth Climate MiliLaff) teaches students to use their voice, Strike at the state Capitol. A STE(A)M Lab at students need the opportunity couple of months later ‘Ilima ‘Ilima Intermedi- to do so publicly. They also need ate. She’s hawaiipublicschools.org students shared climate presented at [email protected] adults to be willing to listen; change information at an ‘Ewa iTeach, SOTF, (808) 784-6200 most teenagers already believe Neighborhood Board meeting, ECET2HI, HAMLE, NSTA and the that adults don’t care what they where they were able to share CSTA Conferences and is a Hawai‘i State Teacher Fellow.