HSTA searching for core organizers; Apply now!

The Hawaii State Teachers Association seeks members who are trusted and respected among their colleagues to help lead the work of our association. The HSTA believes a strong union is one to which members want to belong and participate. Members are encouraged to apply to become an HSTA State Level Core Organizer.

Core Organizers will go out and build meaningful relationships with teacher members through face-to-face meetings and other methods of communication. Applications are due by Jan. 15, 2018. Core Organizers will participate in mandatory training and will be absent from work (on union release time) for training as well as organizing activities.

Read the HSTA Core Organizer position description.

Apply to become an HSTA State Level Core Organizer.

As students return to Kahului Elementary after arson fire, HSTA helps their teachers

A week and a half after a costly arson fire, students returned to Kahului Elementary on Monday, while the Hawaii State Teachers Association announced it is sending $200 checks to the seven teachers whose classrooms were destroyed in the blaze.

“I know how difficult it must for the teachers to lose all their supplies, lesson plans and curriculum in a fire like this,” said HSTA President Corey Rosenlee. “We wanted to reach out and try to help them to rebuild their classrooms.”

Read about an HSTA staffer's personal connections to Kahului Elementary, why the back of her car is filled with these donated school supplies and how you can donate.

From Go Fund Me: Donate to Kahului Elementary after arson fire destroyed classrooms

HSTA advocates for SPED, ELL and EES improvements

While the HSTA contractual negotiations are complete for the next couple of years, the HSTA is still advocating for our teachers’ working and students’ learning environments on some new and continuing committees to help improve the areas of special education, English language learners and the teacher evaluation process.

Read about HSTA's efforts advocating for SPED, ELL and EES improvements.

HSTA leadership positions open!

Want to make a difference? Want to help steer the direction of your chapter and your association? Looking for an opportunity to advocate for your students, school and the profession?

Be on the look-out for information from your faculty representative about elected positions open in your chapter. Also check out the members-only side of the HSTA website for your chapter’s nomination packet at http://www.hsta.org/governance/elections >> Governance >>Elections for more information.

Nominations for state elections opened Dec. 4, while nominations for chapter elections begin Jan. 23.

State elections timeline

Chapter elections timeline

Enter NEA contest; Weekly prizes until Dec. 12

You’re always giving to others—now it’s time to think about yourself! For the next four weeks until December 12, enter the Treat Yourself This Holiday Giveaway for a chance to win some sweet weekly prizes each Tuesday, including: a $200 TJ MAXX gift card, an Amazon Echo Show, a $200 DSW (shoes, boots, handbags and more!) gift card, and a $200 Nordstrom gift card. Five lucky NEA members will win each week! Enter the giveaway each week by clicking here.

NEA Member Benefits holiday flyer -- how to enter this national contest

NEA Member Benefits "Treat Yourself This Holiday" Giveaway FAQs

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The holidays are a great time to connect with friends and family. They are also a great time to connect teachers and students to the global community. If you're an NEA member and a K-12 educator - or you know someone who is - we wanted to be sure you knew about the NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellowship.

The NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellowship is a fully-funded professional development program that helps educators prepare themselves and their students for global citizenship. Over the course of 12 months, a cohort of educators come together through a blend of online, peer, and field-based learning opportunities. Fellows learn from experts about how to teach with a global perspective, but, perhaps most importantly, they also learn from each other about what works best to connect their students to the world beyond their classroom. And they share what they learn with educators around the country and the world by posting free, adaptable, globally focused lessons online.

Watch the video below to find out more:

If this sounds like the opportunity that you have been waiting for, we hope you'll take some time over the winter break to apply! Early applications are encouraged and the deadline to apply is February 5, 2018.

Apply Now

HSTA sponsors ELL professional development workshop Jan. 11

HSTA members will host a free ELL professional development workshop run by Central Chapter English Language Learner teachers. This professional development opportunity will be on Thursday, Jan. 11, from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. at HSTA's Red Hill headquarters on Oahu. Members will learn how to better support the ELLs in their classroom and school. Topics include:

US Department of Education-Language Instruction Educational Programs (LIEP)
SLA (Second Language Acquisition) strategies
ELD (English Language Development) materials
Staffing
Other federal guidelines.

There will also be time for questions and answers. Please register for the Jan. 11 HSTA ELL training by Jan. 9.

Parking is at HSTA and overflow parking is at Red Hill Elementary School. Light refreshments will be provided.
This professional development opportunity is not sponsored by the DOE and is not for professional development credit.

DOE sabbatical applications accepted thru Jan. 12

The Department of Education is accepting teacher sabbatical leave applications for the 2018-2019 school year until Jan. 12, 2018. Teachers can apply for one semester or one entire school year.

Teacher sabbatical leave 2018-1019 DOE memo

Teacher sabbatical leave information

Sabbatical application form

Sabbatical instructions/criteria

Teacher sabbatical leave criteria/rating scale

HSTA peace circle event on Molokai Jan. 14

Peace circles, rooted in indigenous practices, engage in relationship building and shared power as a means to transform school and community culture. Parents,
students, educators, and community members are all invited to attend HSTA's peace circle event Sunday Jan. 14 on Molokai. Breakfast and lunch provided.

Are You On Track to Retire? Hilo Seminar Jan. 19

Friday, Jan. 19
5:30 pm (Dinner Buffet)
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
71 Banyan Dr.
Hilo, HI 96720
Please RSVP by 01/09/18
Seats are limited.

RSVP: Call Debbie at (808) 951-7185 ext. 19

OR go to our RSVP form by typing into your web address bar: goo.gl/JzVe38

From CivilBeat: Emotions 101: Why Hawaii schools are focusing on feelings
Traditionally, schools have revolved around the academic development of students. But Wheeler Middle has joined the growing, national “social and emotional learning” movement that aims to prioritize kids’ personal growth too.

From Civil Beat: Board of Education seeks public money for charter school facilities
The Hawaii Board of Education is urging the Legislature to help public charter schools pay for their facilities and offer a centralized support structure so the schools can better leverage financial resources.

From Hawaii News Now: Oahu schools to educate students about the dangers of cyberspace
Crimestoppers Honolulu, in partnership with the state Attorney General's office, will be visiting 52 schools on Oahu to teach students how they can protect themselves from online predators and what they should do if they're ever a victim of cyberbullying.

From Time magazine: 4 Ways the Republican Tax Plan Could Affect Teachers, Students and Schools
The House bill would repeal a $250 tax credit for teachers who spend their own money on school supplies. But the Senate bill would actually help teachers by increasing the tax deduction to $500 per year.

From Chalkbeat: Denver-area school board ends controversial voucher program
The Douglas County school board voted Monday to end a controversial private school voucher program and directed the school district to end a long-running legal battle that reached the nation’s highest court.

HEA conducts professional development survey

The Hawaii Education Association is conducting a survey to help shape its professional development programs "by educators, for educators."

The purpose of this study is to collect information from professionals like you, to create relevant programs for the future of education in Hawaii. Your participation in this survey will support HEA's strategic planning efforts to ensure it is a viable and relevant organization for the future generation of educators, current educators and our retirees.

Take the HEA professional development survey through Dec. 11.

Read this letter from June Motokawa about the HEA survey.

Subscribe to and follow HSTA's social media accounts

Be sure to subscribe to HSTA's YouTube channel and follow us on Instagram for the latest videos, photos and news about our Association and public schools in Hawaii.