Connect
Grow your network of educators to learn and share! Find feeds you like and follow to curate a content of what is relevant for your next steps and well-being as a professional and as a learner.
Note: This is a public social media hashtag. Infrequently, there is an insincere post so we trust you use utilize digital literacy skills to determine whether it is a genuine and helpful #808educate Hawaii educator contribution.
One of many #808Educate stories: Founded in winter 2018, Kalei Stern McDonnell (Mid-Pac independent school teacher) direct messaged Kristi Oda (grade 4 public school teacher) who connected with Rae Villanueva (public charter school teacher) and together they launched & transformed a Twitter hashtag into a community of statewide educators. At first, they hatched an idea to collaborate on a short chat centered at a time when Hawaii teachers are getting a second wind at 8:08pm, which is the state's area code. The teachers shared the chat template so anyone else could get some online educator friends and co-host a future topic of choice. Kristi offered support if needed and there have been over 70 moderators contributing to date with hundreds of participants. The daily flow of posts with the #808educate hashtag represent a desire to connect and learn with Hawaii educators in different contexts across island communities. These relationships inspire well-being and create belonging for those who share the same passion- to advance learning for students and their communities. Here is what was written in Spring 2019 as it launched:
How has the #808educate community motivated or challenged you? (input from the community)
Just proud of all the great things happening and how teachers have developed thoughtful student-centered perspectives.
Forces me to articulate my thoughts on important question prompts.
It has made me even more reflective on my practice and look externally to how my practice fits into the broader educational practices in Hawai'i
Learning about things other educators are doing has motivated me to try new things too.
Yes, because we have edu doing wonderful things, making me want to be wonderful too.
It challenged me to do better. To not doubt myself and to be bold! I have grown so much through this community.