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.
Congratulations HSTA contest winners!
The HSTA sends its mahalo to more than 200 members who entered HSTA’s contest in November by sending in photos of themselves with teacher colleagues, watching a video about the anti-union Janus Supreme Court case and subscribing to HSTA’s YouTube channel.
Congratulations to the three winners who were chosen at random: Kealohi Foster, a teacher at Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Waiau Public Charter School, Jodilynn Kropf, who teaches at Nanaikapono Elementary and Jade Pham, a teacher at Kaimuki High. They each received a prize package of HSTA logo items.
Stevenson science teacher wins $100K grant in national contest
Click here to watch the video: YouTube video
Congratulations to Stevenson Middle science teacher Trish Morgan, who received a big surprise Thursday at a special school assembly. Her grant proposal won $100,000 from Farmers Insurance Thank America’s Teachers Dream Big Teacher Challenge. Morgan plans to use the money to build an “Innovative Invention Imaginarium” program in her classroom. Her proposal was one of five across the country to receive the most votes in Farmers Insurance’s online contest, with each winning $100,000 for their projects.
“I’m so shocked, I can’t believe it. This is going to make a huge impact on the school and the community,” Morgan said, moments after receiving the check during the assembly at which she was cheered on by Stevenson’s 600 students, as well as faculty and staff. Read about Trish Morgan's $100K winnings for her STEM classroom.
Kaunakakai Elementary wins anti-bullying wear blue contest
Congratulations to teachers at Kaunakakai Elementary, who won the HSTA Molokai Chapter's contest by sending in photos with the highest percentage of their teachers wearing blue during October, which was anti-bullying month.
Kaunakakai Elementary teachers also sent in single shots of themselves in blue as well as this photo from a group of them attending a conference that day. Their prize: Krispy Kreme donuts and ice cream from HSTA.
There was spirited competition on the Friendly Isle, with teachers from Kualapuu Elementary PCS sending in many photos as well.
HSTA leadership positions open! Nominations soon
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 open December 4, while nominations for chapter elections begin as early as January 23 on Kauai and Oahu, and a few days later on the other islands.
State elections timeline
Chapter elections timeline
Read a transcript:
From Hawaii Public Radio: Rosenlee fights back against right wing anti-union criticism
Listen to the 10-minute radio interview:
From Hawaii Public Radio: HSTA responds to criticism of public unions
From Hawaii News Now: Emergency hires, long-term subs head up hundreds of classrooms
From the Honolulu Star-Advertiser: Retention of new teachers improves as shortage persists
(subscription required -- summary below)
The retention rate for new teachers in Hawaii’s public schools improved this year, but the staffing shortage remains severe, with more than 1,000 of 13,000 positions filled by teachers who aren’t fully qualified, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported.
Nearly a quarter of all teachers exiting Hawaii’s public schools say the reason for their departure is that they are moving elsewhere.
Statewide, there are 12,309 teachers on the job this year who have completed state-approved teacher education programs, out of a total of 13,320 positions, according to data released this week. That figure, 92 percent, represents a slip from 93 percent last year.
The rate is worse among special-education teachers. Statewide, 86 percent of special-education teachers now on the job had completed state-approved education programs, the same as last year.
HSTA President Corey Rosenlee said the union has proposed additional pay or time off for special-education teachers or a cap on the number of students they must handle, but the suggestions have been rejected in negotiations with the state.
“We don’t have enough people who are willing to be special-education teachers because they are not willing to take on the load, and because of the load, that causes them to leave, so it’s just that cycle,” he said.
Hawaiian Airlines student career exploration program
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
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. 11HSTA 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
NEA Human and Civil Rights Minority and Women’s Leadership Training Conference
Mahalo to the members selected to represent Hawaii at the NEA West Minority Leadership Training and Women’s Leadership Training Conference. The MLT and WLT programs prepare educators to be powerful advocates for their students, their profession and their Association. This conference prepares ethnic-minority members with foundational leadership skills and teaches them how to advocate for student policies and social justice issues that impact their schools and communities.
Representing Team Hawaii at the conference in December at Las Vegas are:
Jodi Beaty, Windward Chapter
Shannon Kealoha-Kaia, Maui Chapter
Amberly Keohuloa, Hilo Chapter
Alvin Lacar, Central Chapter
Caroline Freudig, Kauai Chapter
Briann Starkey, Molokai Chapter
 Look for HSTA's Benefits of Belonging email this Sunday afternoon around 5 p.m., full of information about discounts, workshops, IPD and much more!
HEA conducts professional development surveyThe 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.
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