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Re: Teaching in Hawaii
I'm very sorry for my cynical remarks about the public school system. There are good points as well (heck I'm a graduate of Kalani High School and my wife from Leileihua). Currently I have two children in the public school system however both in public charter schools. To ensure that my children and the children attending their schools get the kind of attention I'd like to see I've been a part of the local school boards.
I really don't blame the teachers. They have a lot on their plates to deal with with what little support they get from both their union and management. Despite their challanges most public school teachers seem to pump out motivated students into either higher education or the workforce.
What bothers me is that the BOE consists of many who were elected simply by name recognition only instead of merit. What also bothers me about the BOE is when they use their platform for politcal agendas. I truly believe the BOE should consist of educators and accountants. Both know the value of education and the funds that pay for it.
When it comes to teachers however, I've seen the really good ones and I've also seen the rotten ones. These are the ones taking advantage of their tenure and union seniority to simply slack off and not teach.
Cynical? Yes I am, but this is one parent who chose not to just criticize from the comforts of my home. I've been at the Legislature lobbying for education, I've sat on school PTSA, SCBM and Local school boards. I've taken Principals, Directors and Teachers to lunch to discuss their goals on educating my kids at their schools. I've had long meetings with State Representatives and Senators regarding their positions on education and their ideas of what needs to be done. I've even donated hundreds of dollars to my kid's schools specifically for school supplies and learning materials and these were not fundraising dollars but hard cash with nothing in return but a feeling doing something for my kids.
Cynical, because despite everything I and a lot of us concerned parents do, it's not enough because of the beaucracy that enshrouds the DOE and the BOE that runs it.
When it comes to my Public school children (and yes I have one in Kamehameha right now), I've always supported the teachers that have shown vested interest in teaching my kids by helping with classroom supplies, getting in there and assisting as a volunteer, even sponsoring pizza and ice cream days for those really great school days, right down to emceeing school events that bring in fundraising dollars.
At Hokulani Elementary I've sat with the principle (at the time) and asked him, "Peter, what's on your wishlist this year" As the fundraising chair for the school PTSA's Hokulani Aikane, I would set our fundraising budget to coincide with his list of things the school needed like LAN hookup for their many donated computers, Air conditioning for the school's library, funding for the electrical costs needed to run all those computers and AC equipment.
Cynical because I've heard the frustrations from everyone from the director of public charter schools, principles, directors, teachers, parents, students and even community volunteers about the lack of direction from the DOE here in Hawaii. What's good for Oahu is outright shameful for the school districts out in rural areas like many here on the Big Island. There is no general consensus about how education should be administered statewide because for every district there are socially and culturally diverse challanges that affect each geographical area. A centralized BOE simply doesn't work.
Both my wife and I have dedicated our lives to the educational needs of our children. She has a masters in ECE (Early Childhood Education). Together we use our collective goals and push for better education for not only our kids but all children in this state.
We are definately in the loop when it comes to the administrative side of school management and curicullum. Both of us had done work for both public and private schools and can see outright the stark differences that either side operates and the way their administrations support their teachers.
There are benefits and challenges on both sides but it's those challenges in the Public school sector that need to be met and overcome. I could go on forever but the bottom line is that I support all teachers (both public and private) that are willing to give their best in educating the children of Hawaii. I also support any government leader and school administrator willing to seek help for the benefit of their student body when the traditional BOE method turns a blind eye to their needs.
I'm very sorry for my cynical remarks about the public school system. There are good points as well (heck I'm a graduate of Kalani High School and my wife from Leileihua). Currently I have two children in the public school system however both in public charter schools. To ensure that my children and the children attending their schools get the kind of attention I'd like to see I've been a part of the local school boards.
I really don't blame the teachers. They have a lot on their plates to deal with with what little support they get from both their union and management. Despite their challanges most public school teachers seem to pump out motivated students into either higher education or the workforce.
What bothers me is that the BOE consists of many who were elected simply by name recognition only instead of merit. What also bothers me about the BOE is when they use their platform for politcal agendas. I truly believe the BOE should consist of educators and accountants. Both know the value of education and the funds that pay for it.
When it comes to teachers however, I've seen the really good ones and I've also seen the rotten ones. These are the ones taking advantage of their tenure and union seniority to simply slack off and not teach.
Cynical? Yes I am, but this is one parent who chose not to just criticize from the comforts of my home. I've been at the Legislature lobbying for education, I've sat on school PTSA, SCBM and Local school boards. I've taken Principals, Directors and Teachers to lunch to discuss their goals on educating my kids at their schools. I've had long meetings with State Representatives and Senators regarding their positions on education and their ideas of what needs to be done. I've even donated hundreds of dollars to my kid's schools specifically for school supplies and learning materials and these were not fundraising dollars but hard cash with nothing in return but a feeling doing something for my kids.
Cynical, because despite everything I and a lot of us concerned parents do, it's not enough because of the beaucracy that enshrouds the DOE and the BOE that runs it.
When it comes to my Public school children (and yes I have one in Kamehameha right now), I've always supported the teachers that have shown vested interest in teaching my kids by helping with classroom supplies, getting in there and assisting as a volunteer, even sponsoring pizza and ice cream days for those really great school days, right down to emceeing school events that bring in fundraising dollars.
At Hokulani Elementary I've sat with the principle (at the time) and asked him, "Peter, what's on your wishlist this year" As the fundraising chair for the school PTSA's Hokulani Aikane, I would set our fundraising budget to coincide with his list of things the school needed like LAN hookup for their many donated computers, Air conditioning for the school's library, funding for the electrical costs needed to run all those computers and AC equipment.
Cynical because I've heard the frustrations from everyone from the director of public charter schools, principles, directors, teachers, parents, students and even community volunteers about the lack of direction from the DOE here in Hawaii. What's good for Oahu is outright shameful for the school districts out in rural areas like many here on the Big Island. There is no general consensus about how education should be administered statewide because for every district there are socially and culturally diverse challanges that affect each geographical area. A centralized BOE simply doesn't work.
Both my wife and I have dedicated our lives to the educational needs of our children. She has a masters in ECE (Early Childhood Education). Together we use our collective goals and push for better education for not only our kids but all children in this state.
We are definately in the loop when it comes to the administrative side of school management and curicullum. Both of us had done work for both public and private schools and can see outright the stark differences that either side operates and the way their administrations support their teachers.
There are benefits and challenges on both sides but it's those challenges in the Public school sector that need to be met and overcome. I could go on forever but the bottom line is that I support all teachers (both public and private) that are willing to give their best in educating the children of Hawaii. I also support any government leader and school administrator willing to seek help for the benefit of their student body when the traditional BOE method turns a blind eye to their needs.
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