Election endorsements, posted 2-28-2017

To: WIS Faculty
From: Debbie Anderson
Posted by: Joy Grabar, 2-28-2017

In administrative decentralization, local, internal elections matter such as our HSTA Institute Week voting procedures. We can ask and evaluate candidates for offices including delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly according to criteria. My personal endorsement follows, based on my experience with many of the State candidates over the last quarter century. I am voting and endorsing the following:
myself (#23) & 14 other State delegates to NEA, listed according to my absentee ballot order:
Corey Rosenlee,
Jamie Stidger (Windward),
Mitzie Higa,
Osa Tui,
Amy Perruso,
Dr. Angie Miyashiro (Hilo),
Jodi Maeda Kunimitsu (Kauai/Maui),
Kellee Kelly (Hilo),
Mireille Christianne Ellsworth (Hilo),
Lisa Morrison (Maui),
Laverne Moore (Honolulu),
Justin Hughey (Maui),
Paul Daugherty (Kona) and
Alan Isbell (Maui).
Thank you all for the differences you make for our union across our islands and our learners, and for me as a continually developing teacher leader. I wish all candidates the best in their respective chapter elections, and appreciate your willingness to serve.

Criteria: First, we need to know What is our purpose? We're "a focused dynamic organization of involved members collaboratively creating quality public education." 

Vision Statement: United in the pursuit of excellence for Hawaii’s public schools. 

Mission Statement of HSTA, to:
Support and enhance the professional roles of teachers;
Advocate teachers’ interests;
Collaborate with all segments of the community to assure quality public education for Hawaii’s youth; and
Promote human and civil rights to support and nurture diversity in our multifaceted community.

As an organization, the Hawaii State Teachers Association core values Professionalism, Integrity, Proactivity, Advocacy, Collaboration, and Democracy:
Professionalism: Enhance and support the art and science of teaching by licensed teachers;
Integrity: Uphold high standards of truth and ethics;
Proactivity: Promote innovative ideas and initiate solutions to shape the future;
Advocacy: Promote quality public education for all students and teachers;
Collaboration: Work inclusively with stakeholders toward quality public education by seeking and considering diverse points of view;
Democracy: Ensure a society that fosters free and equitable quality public education which sustains democracy.