Learning Communities & Courses
Professional Learning Communities
Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) create a connected community for our 2CMs and alumni, offering the time and space to gather with like-minded people to move our individual and collective work forward.
Commit to a professional learning community by contacting the PLC leads listed below.
National Board Certification
3rd and 4th year teachers who are alumni of the TFA corps experience, and committed to teacher leadership as their long-term career path, may participate in a small pilot to build their preparation to apply for National Board Certification. Interested? Please connect with Debby Ng for more information.
If you are already pursuing or NB certified and would like to support, please let us know.
If you are qualified to apply this year, consider connecting with the HSTA National Board Certified Teachers National Board Candidate Support cohort (statewide). Each cohort includes virtual options. There is no charge for candidates who belong to HSTA or Kamehameha Schools. See the HSTA webpage for more information: https://www.hsta.org/national-board-certification/
Mid-Level School Leaders PLC
Contacts: Kaitlin Miyashiro-Carvalho, Stephanie Shipton
Announcing a new PLC from TFAHI focused on connection, collaboration, and learning for mid level leaders. If your role involves coaching and leading other adults in a school or complex area, then this is for you!
We’ll come together 5 times throughout the year to celebrate the good stuff, dig into the tough stuff, and hear from inspiring and provocative guest speakers. Come as you are and when you can. Attendance at every session is not mandatory. We’ll meet from 4:00 - 5:30pm on December 6, January 24, March 7, and April 18.
Examples of mid level leaders roles include, but are not limited to: TFAHI part time staff, coaches, curriculum coordinators, complex area staff, state office staff, department heads, grade level chairs, or roles running afterschool programs.
School Leadership
Contacts: Josh Heimowitz, Meilan Akaka Manfre
In SY 2020-2021, we launched an alumni school leader community of practice with the aim of creating a safe space to build connections, community, and a network of support. 1:1 mentorship also provided individualized support. We commit to continuing these offerings in SY 2021-2022.
*Note - this is a closed community of practice for TFA alumni who are currently serving as school leaders in Hawaiʻi: Principal, Vice Principal, TA-VP or comparable roles.
See more here and reach out if you’re interested in learning more.
Organizing for Education
Contacts: Josh Heimowitz, Isaiah Peacott-Ricardos, Paoa Shook
We are inviting TFA alumni and partners with proximity or interest in education policy to be a part of a continuous group experience that will allow us to dive deep with intention together. Our aim for this series is to provide an opportunity to engage in direct and impactful action around education policy. Our intent is to rally around and champion a bill to propose to the legislature that will directly impact education equity in Hawaiʻi.
Interested in joining? Email Paoa to get added to the email list for upcoming events.
PDE3 Courses Facilitated by TFA
Teach for America Hawai'i continues to strengthen its partnership with the HIDOE to offer PDE3 courses for educators to deepen their knowledge and skills that increase their impact on education equity. See below for current course offerings:
Authentic Leadership to Strengthen Student Outcomes: register now for the section launching in January! www.bit.ly/ALwinter22
Previous Offerings:
PD185462 Leadership Grounded in Aloha: Creating Learning Contexts for Deepened Connections
PD183839 Implementing AntiBias Education Critical Practices Through Technology (Online)
PD183783 Kia‘i ‘Aina Kualoloa - Hawai‘i Island; co-facilitated with Kamehameha Schools ‘Aina Engagement, Hawai‘i Island
Learning Laboratory- Innovations in Competency-Based Learning in Alignment with the Aloha+Challenge
Leadership for Change