The goal of The SPEDucator Project is to recognize and empower high-quality special education teachers across the state of Hawaii. Together, this group will support recruitment and retention initiatives while building community, belonging, and support. Selected participants will advance in their own professional growth and will then have the opportunity to share their knowledge with others. Together, we will build capacity and improve educational outcomes for all students with disabilities in Hawaii!

Eligibility

 To be selected for this project, applicants must be all of the following:

1. Living and teaching in a Hawai‘i public school (public charter schools included)

2. Licensed in special education (probationary and tenured teachers included)

3. Currently teaching as a  classroom special education teacher, including care-coordinator duties

Priority Considerations

Our goal is to develop a group of 15-20 special education teachers who collectively represent the wide range of skills and needs within special education. Selection of candidates will include representation across the following:

• Years of Experience: we would like to include beginning and veteran teacher perspectives

• Complex area: we would like to include a representative from each complex area/island

• Grade level: we would like to include preschool, elementary, middle, and high school perspectives

• Placement type: we would like to include representatives who teach in fully self-contained, resource/pull-out, inclusion, CBI, medically fragile, or ILC settings

Overall, we are looking for passionate and committed special education teachers who are interested in celebrating, advocating for, and advancing the special education profession in Hawaii. Please join us!