In ten years, Teach For America Hawai`i is a diverse and thriving community of 500 strong, contributing to the movement for educational equity in Hawai‘i. We work in true collaboration with our DOE and communities, and are known and valued for our unique role as a developer of diverse leaders who help to drive change in education in many different ways, but always in ways that contribute to opportunities for our keiki. 50% of our teaching corps is kama‘āina (from Hawai`i), including a growing number of second generation corps members. The majority of our corps members stay in Hawai‘i beyond their corps commitment, with 50% of each corps continuing to teach in our public schools after 5 years, helping our keiki graduate with pride and choice in college and career. They are contributing to significant impact as long-term classroom teachers and they are growing the pipeline of leaders for our community. 25 alumni will be in administrative roles in Hawai`i schools, including at least 5 school leaders, and many more alumni will be contributing to the education landscape as leaders in policy and advocacy, non-profit work, and social entrepreneurs. Our program is supported by a sustainable funding base of deeply committed diverse stakeholders and our people feel connected to each other and our community and see themselves in this work for the long term.
Key Outcome #1: TFA Hawai‘i is a connected and thriving community of diverse leaders who collectively advocate for our keiki, especially those in rural, low-income schools, and work in synergy with our communities in pursuit of educational equity for all of our state’s keiki
Key Outcome #2: TFA Hawai‘i is consistently contributing to strong impact in schools and helping our keiki graduate with pride and choice in college and career
Key Outcome #3: TFA Hawai‘i contributes diverse, innovative leaders, who are grounded in local context and communities, to our education ecosystem in Hawai‘i and sectors that shape it
Why we do this work: Kuleana is privilege and responsibility. We are each privileged to have had the education and opportunities that we have had and we are honored to have the responsibility to help ensure children in Hawai‘i have these same educational and life opportunities; we are privileged to do this work here in Hawai‘i; and we feel ownership, empowerment, accountability, and hope for our work.
Who we do this work with: ‘Ohana is who we choose to call family because we share a common bond and enrich each of our lives. We do this work in partnership and trust with our students and families, with our schools, with our communities, with our corps members and alumni, and with each other as colleagues on staff. While we are diverse in our strengths, experiences, and perspectives, we are united in our common work and belief in our children in Hawai‘i.
How we do this work: Aloha is kindness (akahai), unity (lōkahi), pleasantness (‘olu ‘olu), humility (ha ‘aha ‘a), and patient perseverance (ahonui). We welcome and embrace our differences, we are generous and gentle with each other and ourselves; we approach our work with love and joy; and we operate with a spirit of aloha with all whom we work
Pursue Equity
We work to change practices, structures, and policies to realize educational equity for all children. As we do so, we actively examine our roles in perpetuating inequitable systems.
Strengthen Community
We assume responsibility for our collective strength by developing relationships, building diverse and inclusive coalitions, and challenging one another to be our best. We act with empathy and extend grace to ourselves and others.
Achieve Impact
We pursue ambitious, meaningful outcomes that lead to access and opportunity for all children. We hold ourselves to high standards, make data-informed decisions, and orient to long-term success.
Choose Courage
We act on our beliefs and values, especially when it’s hard. We center our efforts on the aspirations of our students and their families.
Act with Humility
We acknowledge the limitations of our perspectives. We seek different points of view and historical context to evolve our thinking and actions.
Demonstrate Resilience
We see every challenge as an opportunity to think expansively about solutions. When faced with obstacles, we deepen our resolve, adapt, and persist with optimism.
Learn Continuously
We operate with curiosity and embrace new ideas to innovate and constantly improve. We take informed risks and learn from successes, setbacks, and each other.
First-year corps members that are not already licensed are enrolled in our Alternate Route to Certification (ARC) program. Most corps members complete program requirements in their first-year and are recommended for licensure prior to the start of their second-year. ARC is recognized as a State-Approved Teacher Education Program by the Hawaiʻi Teacher Standards Board and is nationally accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).