Combating the teacher shortage that is plaguing Hawaii has become a major focus of the University of Hawaii system and Hawaii State Department of Education. At UH Hilo, the institution has two distinct teacher education programs making strides in creating future teachers and encouraging them to stay in Hawaii.
Host Jobeth Devera traveled to Hawaii Island to find out more about the two teacher education programs at UH Hilo. She met with Dr. Diane Barrett, director of the School of Education and professor of mathematics education and Dr. Makalapua Alencastre who is the coordinator of Indigenous Education Programs called Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language.
About UH Hilo’s Master of Arts in Teaching Program
The strength of the University of Hawaii Master of Arts (MAT) in Teaching program in the School of Education is that it is a face-to-face program with small classes, which allow for individualized instruction from professors. It is are a cohort program where students matriculate through classes together, allowing them to closely collaborate with other students in a caring environment. The program offers strong support from partner schools, cooperating teachers and field supervisors who are oftentimes retired teachers from our community.
About Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language
Established in 1997, UH Hilo’s College of Hawaiian Language, Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani, was named in honor of Ruth Keʻelikōlani Keanolani Kanāhoahoa, the 19th century high chiefess known for her strong advocacy of Hawaiian language and culture. Building upon the vast repository of traditional knowledge left by our elders before us, Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani faculty, staff and students seek to realize its vision statement for the benefit of all of Hawaiʻi’s people. From project initiation, the University of Hawai’i at Hilo aimed to design and construct Hale’ōlelo for Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke’elikōlani College of Hawaiian Language to significantly reduce its impact on natural resources, maximize efficiency, and create a high-quality work environment for students and staff.
For more information: hilo.hawaii.edu/depts/education, olelo.hawaii.edu/kwo