Recruitment
Alignment with State and National Initiatives
HI Teacher Education Coordinating Committee
5-Year Strategic Plan
Obj. 4: Effectively Market the Teaching Profession
4a. Create a statewide marketing plan
4b. Promote HIDOE as an “employer of choice” and a “best place to work”
Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
Attract - Prepare - Retain: Effective Personnel for All
Changing Public Perception
Season 1 Outcomes (Nov. 2020 - May 2021)
Project Activities
Lead Coordinator: Janet Kim
Campaign Website
This website is designed as a one-stop-shop for prospective candidates who are considering becoming a special education teacher. The website focuses on helping people understand why special education is so special and who should consider pursuing the profession.
The homepage leads candidates down a series of basic questions that should be considered prior to pursuing a licensure program. At the bottom are links to all the UH System programs available for special education licensure.
SPEDucator Profiles
SPEDucator Profiles
Each SPEDucator shared a story about why they came into the profession and why they love being a special education teacher. Stories highlight the many different pathways and motivations that can inspire someone to join this profession.
To see the full list of SPEDucator Profiles, please visit:
Radio Advertisements
SPEDucator Videos & Story Narratives
Why teach special education?
Featuring SPEDucator: Brandon Moises, Special Education Teacher, Waimea High School
Brandon is a 22-year veteran special education teacher on Kauai. His story highlights the importance of community and the power and impact of having teachers who believe in their students.
Who should become a special education teacher?
Featuring SPEDucators: Lauren Collier, Michelle Lim, Nicole Jankowski, and Sean Witwer
This video is a collection of special education teachers sharing why they teach special education and who should become a part of this profession. This video also highlights stories and perspectives of students and their families on what special education and the teachers mean for them.
Why choose UH Mānoa's special education licensure programs?
Featuring SPEDucators: Jessie Ford, Summer Pila, and Pamela Walencewicz
This video shares stories and perspectives from UH Manoa's alumni and current teacher candidates. They talk about the features of UH Manoa's programs that are unique and give tips and advice to those thinking of pursuing the profession.
Relocating to Hawai‘i to teach.
Featuring SPEDucators: Detina Smith, Meggan Lint, and Nicole Jankowski
About two-thirds of the new teachers hired each year are individuals trained outside of Hawaii. This video helps shed light on the experiences of three SPEDucators who moved to Hawaii to teach special education. They provide tips, recommendations, and support for those looking to make the move to Hawaii.
Coming full circle: A passion to give back.
Featuring SPEDucator: Sean Witwer and his student, and future SPEDucator Nicole Dolor-Bala
This story is about a special education teacher with a mission to see students with disabilities on the honor roll at his high school. Through this commitment, he is inspired by his student Nicole, who earns a 3.8 GPA. Nicole shares about how having learning disabilities have impacted her and how Mr. Witwer gave her an opportunity to teach other students in his class. Now Nicole wants to pursue becoming a licensed special education teacher at UH Mānoa so she can continue to give back, inspire, and make a difference in the lives of other students like her.
Recruitment Event Guests
It's Great to be a Teacher, Jan. 2021
Michelle Lim, Event Guest
Michelle participated in an introductory video recording to share with participants about becoming a special education teacher for the It's Great to be a Teacher Event on January 30, 2021. Michelle also attended the event as a guest speaker during the UH Manoa's breakout session to talk about licensure programs. Michelle provided unique insight for participants on the experiences of being a student in the program and how it prepared her for the classroom.
SPEDucator Talk Story, April 2021
All SPEDucators
On April 9th, the SPEDucators hosted it's first "Talk Story" panel where participants got to learn about their experiences, their path, and why they chose to become a special education teacher. The event was broken into three sessions: (a) breakouts by age level, (b) breakouts by placement type, and (c) tips and words of advice. This event was open to everyone, but especially for teacher candidates or those considering becoming special education teachers.
Season 2 Outcomes (Nov. 2021 - May 2022)
Collaborators
Lead Coordinator: Janet Kim
Partners: OTM & Kai Media Marketing
GEER Grant Proposed Outcomes
Social Media Campaign
Expand Someone Special for Students Website
Engage in Recruitment Events and Activities
Social Media Campaign
Public Story Narratives
Social Media content development
Start Instagram and Facebook Social Media Campaign
Student Voices
Someone Special for Students Expansion
Expand Someone Special Website: Subpage Development
Who should become a special education teacher?
What is special education? About SPED: Overview of law and disability categories
Where: Teaching in Hawaii: resources for those looking to move to Hawaii to teach, as well as, cultural and placed-based resources
When: Employment Options for those looking for experience and for individuals with disabilities
Why Teach Special Education?
How: Special Education Teacher Licensure Programs and Funding Opportunities
SPEDucator Project: Importance of Community
Dual Certification: ESEE Promo Video
Passion Projects: Kristel Brogdon
CEC 100 Stories Celebration
The SPEDucator Project
Featuring all 2021-2022 SPEDucators
The SPEDucator Project began in October, 2020, which brought together a collective of Hawaii special education teachers, now known as "SPEDucators", amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This project has been designed to support the recruitment to retention pipeline of a high-quality special education teacher workforce in the state of Hawaii. Hear how this project has impacted these special education teachers and how community is needed within this profession.
Māla Mana‘olana: A Garden of Hope
Featuring Kristel Brogdon, her students, and her colleagues at Kea‘au Middle School
This video shares SPEDucator, Kristel Brogdon's, passion project in being able to create a safe space on campus for her students through the development of a garden program. Hear from students, families, and other educators about how this program has impacted their students and the entire school community.
CEC 100 Stories: SPEDucator Project
Featuring: All 2021-2022 SPEDucators
As part of its 100th Anniversary, the Council for Exceptional Children recognized exceptional educators from around the world who have shown a passion, dedication, and commitment to making a difference in the lives of the students who they teach. For Hawaii, this video highlights and celebrates a collective of exceptional special education teachers who are part of the SPEDucator Project.
Exceptional Students and Elementary Education (ESEE)
Featuring: UH Manoa faculty, students, alumni, and HIDOE school partners
Our 3-for-1 Bachelor's of Education program allows candidates to earn their bachelor's degree and two teaching licenses: (a) elementary general education, and (b) elementary special education. Learn more about this unique program through the perspectives of students, faculty, and school partners.