Attend this public talk to learn more about Qualia: The School for Deeper Learning, located in Calabasas, California. Qualia is a term used in philosophical discourse about the mind and the nature of reality. It refers to “what it feels like” when we apprehend stimuli or concepts. As the students of Qualia School have pointed out, it simultaneously captures:

• The idea that we don’t really “know” something until we’ve had our own conscious experience of it — hence the importance of a hands-on/minds-on learning model;

• The appreciation that my understanding of something might not precisely match yours — thus the need for deep discourse to bridge gaps among learners; and

• A rejection of “smartness” as recitation of facts, leading to a culture that celebrates inquiry and deeper understanding.

As a part of their visit to Hawai‘i, educators from Qualia will share more about the school’s approach and how they use ancient notions like aporia and eudaimonia to inform their pedagogy. They will share stories of how they have built a learning community deeply informed by Philosophy for Children over the span of the school's history, discuss the ways in which their Great Ideas program (in which every student is enrolled in a philosophy class every year) informs their practice in other disciplines, and how all of this encourages polymathic development in their students. They will also share game-based and project-based learning practices that inform their values and pedagogy. The session will end with a hands-on exploration of Qualia’s values and practices.

ABOUT THE FACILITATORS

Jim Hahn is an inveterate explorer of knowledge, ideas, contraptions and cultures, and has taught everything from philosophy to chemistry to Rube Goldberg Machines during his 32-year career in education. As the founder of Qualia: The School for Deeper Learning, a next-generation educational model, Jim has worked with the gamut of brilliant, independent young minds, pushing them to think deeply, care deeply, and forge extraordinary paths.

Jon Cassie has worked in independent school education for nearly thirty years and is currently the Co-Founder and Avatar Architect at Qualia: The School for Deeper Learning. Jon is the author of several books, including a 2016 book on game-based learning titled Level Up Your Classroom, which won a gold medal for best technical book from Association Media and Publishing. Some of Jon’s other published works explore the intersection of roleplaying games and game design, with social-emotional learning and culture. Jon also hosts two podcasts about education – "Many Windows" and "Game Level Learn" – and has appeared on a number of podcasts speaking about the future of education (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTlA_wSCks8&t=2s).

JC Wright teaches elementary school philosophy, two sections of middle school philosophy, high school philosophy of mind, beginning band, and advanced band, and also serves as the Ethics Bowl coach. JC has also taught the philosophy of constructed languages, philosophy of games and play, and tabletop game design. JC looks forward to engaging with Hawai‘i’s P4C and Progressive educators.

Philosophy for Children (P4C) is a worldwide movement that aims to transform the schooling experience by engaging people in the activity of philosophy. Locally, the University of Hawai‘i Uehiro Academy for Philosophy and Ethics in Education is the home of philosophy for children Hawai‘i (p4c Hawai‘i). The p4c Hawai‘i approach aids students and teachers in converting traditional classrooms into intellectually safe communities of inquiry. Together, they develop their ability to think for themselves in responsible ways by exploring “big questions” that arise from their interests, experiences, and learning contexts.

In addition to being a progressive education classroom practice used in schools across the world, p4c Hawai‘i can also be used to support the professional development of teachers. In a 2013 study, research demonstrated that when teachers practice p4c Hawai‘i in a professional community of inquiry with their peers, they not only improve their abilities to do philosophy with students, but they also report experiencing a meaningful, productive, transformative, and joyful approach to professional and personal growth. In a professional development context, philosophy becomes “a form of thinking, which like all thinking, finds its origin in what is uncertain in the subject matter of experience, which aims to locate the nature of perplexity and to frame hypotheses for its clearing up to be tested in action” (Dewey, 1916, p. 331). Together in this 4-hour professional development experience, educators will practice p4c Hawai‘i as a tool for wrestling with our most important questions and finding answers through self-reflection and dialogue with colleagues.

Participants will learn more about p4c Hawai‘i from Uehiro Academy faculty by doing p4c Hawai‘i with fellow participants in an intellectually safe professional community of inquiry. The experience will include:

Reading Read Dr. Toby Yos’s article “Raising the Bar: Love, The Community of Inquiry and the Flourishing Life” before we meet in person.

Questioning Generate a question you would like to dialogue and think about with fellow participants.

Voting Vote on the question that you would most like to be the focus of our inquiry.

Dialoguing Use the question selected as stimulus for philosophical inquiry, dialogue, and deep listening to support professional and personal growth.

Reflecting Reflect on what was learned from the community and inquiry, make connections and explore next steps.

Lunch will be provided.

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES

Participants will:

• Build an intellectually safe professional community of inquiry.

• Briefly review the history, theoretical and practical frameworks behind the philosophy for children

• Engage in a p4c Hawai‘i Plain Vanilla philosophical inquiry as professional development practice

• Reflect on experience and brainstorm future applications

• Enjoy fellowship and connection

WORKSHOP AGENDA

9:30 am - 10:00 am Sign In

10:00 am - 10:30 am Welcome, Agenda, Overview of p4c Hawai‘i [Amber & Ben]

10:30 am - 12:30 am Plain Vanilla Inquiry

• Intellectual Safety

• Introductions

• Questions

• Vote

• Inquiry

• Reflect

12:30 pm - 1:00 pm Lunch

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Reflection

• Share out about Plain Vanilla Inquiries

• So what? How might you apply what you learn today to your particular teaching context?

2:00 pm Pau

ABOUT THE FACILITATORS

Dr. Benjamin Lukey received his doctorate in comparative philosophy from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.  His interests in philosophy of disability, comparative philosophy, and philosophy for children (p4c) have developed from his broader goal of including more voices in philosophical discourse.  Since 2007, he has been part the p4c Hawai‘i initiative at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, piloting and developing a Philosopher in Residence project at Hawaii public high schools.  Dr. Lukey continues to support p4c Hawaii teachers and students at Waimanalo Elementary & Intermediate School, Kailua High School, Waikiki Elementary, Ka’elepulu Elementary, and the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. He is currently Associate Director for the UH Uehiro Academy for Philosophy and Ethics in Education.

Dr. Amber Strong Makaiau is a Specialist at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Director of Curriculum and Research at the Uehiro Academy for Philosophy and Ethics in Education, Director of the Hanahau‘oli School Professional Development Center, and Co-Director of the Progressive Philosophy and Pedagogy MEd Interdisciplinary Education, Curriculum Studies program. A former Hawai‘i State Department of Education high school social studies teacher, her work in education is focused around promoting a more just and equitable democracy for today’s children. Dr. Makaiau lives in Honolulu where she enjoys spending time in the ocean with her husband and two children.

Dr. Chad Miller is the 2012 Hawaiʻi Teacher of the Year, a National Board Certified teacher, and is currently an Associate Specialist at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Institute for Teacher Education. Dr. Miller also serves as the Director of Teacher Development at the University’s Uehiro Academy for Philosophy and Ethics in Education and in this dual role, he teaches instructional methods courses, as well as courses grounded in the Philosophy for Children (p4c) pedagogy in the College of Education to teacher candidates and graduate students, alike. He also serves as a Philosopher in Residence, where he supports teacher candidates and veteran K-12 teachers as they incorporate the activity of philosophy into their classroom practice through the use of the “Philosopher’s Pedagogy.” Regardless if he is thinking about the environmental implications of “driving” clouds with third graders, the cyclical nature of violence and drug abuse with sophomores in their Language Arts classes, or the value of living the “examined life” with undergraduates, Dr. Miller finds himself participating in extremely meaningful and rigorous philosophical inquiries with students and teachers each day with the aim of creating more thoughtful and compassionate communities.

Dr. Thomas “Toby” Yos is an Assistant Specialist with the University of Hawai‘i Uehiro Academy for Philosophy and Ethics in Education. Arriving at the University of Hawai‘i in 1991, Toby studied under philosophy for children Hawai‘i founder Dr. Thomas Jackson and received a doctoral degree in Philosophy. Since that time Toby has been working in Hawai‘i’s schools. Over the course of the past three decades he has mentored hundreds of teachers and done p4c with thousands of students.

THIS WORKSHOP IS DESIGNED FOR

K-12 educators, higher education faculty, and community educators who are interested in exploring how p4c Hawai‘i can be applied to contexts outside of the regular classroom setting. It is also designed for teachers who are interested in interdisciplinary and integrated approaches to education, as well as teachers who want to apply the practice to traditional subject areas and coursework (e.g. Social Studies, English Language Arts, Advisory, etc.) The maximum number of participants is 30.

This workshop introduces educators to the transformative potential of AI in teaching students aged 9–13, a group often underserved in AI literacy despite growing up in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Through an engaging, hands-on approach, participants will gain a foundational understanding of AI concepts and tools that align with progressive education goals while addressing the unique needs of upper elementary and middle school learners.

The workshop is led by Summer Kim, former Head of Research at tech companies such as Google, WhatsApp, and Roblox, and currently an AI and Product Industry Expert. Summer brings her deep industry experience and recent work in applying emergent AI innovations to education, providing educators with both practical tools and forward-looking strategies. In a recent initiative, Summer worked with 4th and 5th-grade students to explore how AI can spark creativity, develop entrepreneurial ideas, and improve reading and comprehension skills—an experience that shapes her unique approach to empowering educators.

Educators will explore practical strategies for integrating AI into their classrooms, focusing on ways to foster critical thinking, creativity, and meaningful engagement among students. Through collaborative activities, participants will design and discuss AI-enhanced learning experiences, gaining insights into how AI tools can amplify teaching effectiveness.

Additionally, the workshop provides a collaborative space for educators to reflect on the ethical and philosophical dimensions of teaching with AI. Discussions will cover topics such as equity, accessibility, and data privacy, empowering participants to confidently innovate while aligning AI integration with their educational values and goals.

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES

Participants will:

1. Understand foundational AI concepts and their practical applications in education.

2. Explore and practice using AI tools to create engaging, meaningful lessons for students aged 9–13.

3. Collaborate with peers to design context-specific AI-enhanced learning activities.

4. Reflect on the ethical and practical considerations of integrating AI tools into classroom teaching.

WORKSHOP AGENDA

8:30 AM – 8:45 AM: Welcome and Icebreaker

Activity: “AI in Everyday Life” – Sharing personal/professional encounters with AI.

Overview of objectives and agenda.

8:45 AM – 9:45 AM: Foundations of AI and AI + Education

Understanding AI Fundamentals: Key concepts and myths about AI.

AI in Education: Applications, benefits, and challenges of AI integration.

Group Discussion: Educators reflect on classroom opportunities for AI.

9:45 AM – 10:15 AM: Hands-On with AI Tools for Educators

Participants explore pre-selected AI tools and brainstorm classroom applications.

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM: Break

10:30 AM – 11:15 AM: Designing AI-Enhanced Learning Experiences

Group activity: Develop lesson plans incorporating AI tools with facilitator support.

11:15 AM – 11:45 AM: Ethics, Philosophy, and Practical Considerations

Presentation: Ethical implications, equity, and data privacy.

Group Discussion: Aligning AI integration with educational values.

11:45 AM – 12:15 PM: Sharing and Feedback

Groups share their AI-enhanced lesson ideas and receive peer feedback.

12:15 PM – 12:30 PM: Reflection and Next Steps

Participants identify key takeaways and draft action plans for integrating AI into their teaching.

ABOUT THE FACILITATOR

Summer Kim is an experienced research and product leader passionate about user-centered solutions. She is a UX partner at StratMinds VC, collaborating closely with early-stage AI startups. Summer has built and led high-impact research organizations at Google, WhatsApp/Meta, and Roblox, helping these platforms better understand and meet the needs of their users. Her work has been instrumental in improving user experiences for millions globally. Currently, she is exploring AI in education, piloting programs with 4th and 5th graders to foster business ideas and boost reading comprehension. This hands-on approach offers practical insights into how AI can transform teaching and learning. Summer Kim LinkedIn

THIS WORKSHOP IS DESIGNED FOR

This workshop is specifically tailored for educators working with upper elementary and middle school students (Grades 4–8). It is ideal for teachers across all disciplines, including language arts, STEM, social studies, general education, and creative subjects, who are interested in exploring innovative and practical ways to incorporate AI into their teaching.

Join us on Zoom for the 3rd quarterly gathering of social justice educators on Thursday, February 27, 2025, to learn more about the Filipino Curriculum Project, an example of student advocacy and social action for representation in our schools.

While Filipinos make up about a quarter of Hawaiʻi's population, Filipino history and culture is significantly underrepresented in education. In 2021, high school students from public and private schools mobilized to advocate for this issue. As a result of their collaborative efforts, Hawaiʻi became the first state to adopt a Filipino social studies course in its schools.

In this session, we will learn from the experiences of students and educators who collaborated on designing the Filipino history and culture curriculum, the pioneering teachers who launched the course in 2024-2025, and students who have been enrolled in this course.

Speakers include:

Vel Fernando
Farrington High School, Class of 2025

Marissa Halagao
Founder, Filipino Curriculum Project
Hanahau'oli School, Class of 2017
Punahou School, Class of 2023
Yale University, Class of 2027

Kiara-Jeané Alcaide
Grade 9 -10 Social Studies Instructional Coach, DreamHouse ‘Ewa Beach

Phil Fernandez-Brennan
Curriculum and Assessment Specialist at Hālau Kū Māna Charter School
Ph.D. Candidate, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, College of Education

Dr. Patricia Halagao
Professor and Chair, Department of Curriculum Studies, College of Education
Co-Director, Center for Philippine Studies
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

This series of online gatherings is focused on social justice education in Hawaiʻi for those who are:

• in a role supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, or belonging at school

• on a committee exploring such issues

• teaching social justice content in classes

• engaged in advocacy or activism around social justice education

• or are interested in learning more about the work others are doing toward these ends.

Quarterly gatherings are facilitated by Dr. Jingwoan Chang, and focus on exploring the successes and challenges of social justice education in schools in Hawaiʻi. A component of the Social Justice Education in Hawaiʻi Project offered by Hanahauʻoli School and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Education, these events are offered at no cost thanks to the generosity of Jana and Howard Wolff.

Join us for a half day workshop for educators led by distinguished scholar, educator, and co-author of The Political Classroom: Evidence and Ethics in Democratic Education, Dr. Diana Hess.

In this workshop, learn what teachers can do to help students participate in high quality discussions of controversial political issues. Built on a successful secondary school model, the workshop is open to all K-12 educators who are interested in adjusting and applying the framework and strategies to their unique classroom settings. Participants will develop an understanding of the concepts of high quality discussion and controversial political issues, and the value of integrating this type of content and pedagogy as an essential component of democratic education. Participants will engage first hand in two types of controversial political issue discussions, and learn strategies for helping students build the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to participate in democratic education.  

Thanks to generous funding by the Wolff Social Justice in Education Project, all workshop participants will receive a copy of Dr. Hess' book, as well as a $50 stipend for attending this important professional development workshop. Lunch is also included.

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES

Participants will be able to:

1.  Define the concepts of high quality discussion and controversial political issues.

2.  Identify and critically assess various rationales for teaching young people how to participate in controversial political issues discussions.

3. Understand the components of two different approaches to controversial political issues discussions, and assess their strengths and challenges.

ABOUT THE FACILITATOR

Diana E. Hess is a professor of Curriculum and Instruction and the senior leader of The Discussion Project and Deliberation Dinners at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is also the principal investigator of a mixed-method study of The Discussion Project funded by the Mellon Foundation and the Chancellor and Provost's Office of UW-Madison. The Discussion Project is a professional development program that aims to help instructors create inclusive, engaging, and academically rigorous discussions in higher education courses and in secondary schools. Currently on a research leave (2024-25), Dr. Hess was the dean of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin (UW)–Madison and the Karen A. Falk Distinguished Chair of Education from 2015-2024. Dr. Hess's research focuses on civic and democratic education. Her first book, Controversy in the Classroom: The Democratic Power of Discussion (Routledge, 2009), won the Exemplary Research Award (2009) from the National Council for the Social Studies. Her second book, co-authored with Professor Paula McAvoy, titled The Political Classroom: Evidence and Ethics in Democratic Education (Routledge, 2015) won the American Educational Research Association's Outstanding Book Award (2016) and the Grawemeyer Award (2017). Dr. Hess is currently writing a book (co-authored by Lynn Glueck) that examines what institutions of higher education could do to harness their deliberative assets, help students develop the skills to meaningfully engage in high quality discussions and deliberations, and reduce the most harmful consequences of political polarization. Dr. Hess received the Jean Dresden Grambs Career Research in Social Studies Award from the National Council for the Social Studies (2017). In 2019, Dr. Hess was elected to the National Academy of Education. Her research has been funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Spencer Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. Formerly, Dr. Hess was the senior vice president of the Spencer Foundation, a high school teacher, a teachers' union president, and the associate executive director of the Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago. Dr. Hess received her Ph.D. from the University of Washington, Seattle, in 1998.

Hawaiʻi Social Justice Educators Community: Post-Election Listening Circle

Dates: Thursday, November 7, 2024

(Future gatherings scheduled for February 27, and April 10, 2025)

Time: 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Location: Online via Zoom

Cost: Free

For the second Social Justice Educators Community Gathering on Nov 7, a group of educators from Shanti Alliance, the Davis Democracy Initiative at Punahou School, and the Hanahauʻoli School PDC will moderate a post-election Listening Circle, modeled on the practices of the International Institute for Restorative Practices. This Listening Circle will focus on deep listening, building empathy, and strengthening communities. The experience of a listening circle can also help us think about the possibility of restorative justice practices in our schools. Due to the thoughtfully moderated nature of a listening circle, we will select a limited number of participants of different backgrounds for this first experience.

About the Hawai ‘i Social Justice Educators Community Gatherings:

This series of four online gatherings is focused on social justice education in Hawaiʻi for those who are:

• in a role supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, or belonging at school

• on a committee exploring such issues

• teaching social justice content in classes

• engaged in advocacy or activism around social justice education

• or are interested in learning more about the work others are doing toward these ends.

We invite you to join us for quarterly conversation in a facilitated format, where we will share and explore the successes and challenges of social justice education in schools in Hawaiʻi. A component of the Social Justice Education in Hawaiʻi Project offered by Hanahauʻoli School and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Education, these informal gatherings are offered at no cost thanks to the generosity of Jana and Howard Wolff.

Hanahau‘oli School Guided Visit for Educators

Date: Monday, October 7, 2024

Time: 7:30am to 1:00pm

Location: Hanahau'oli School Professional Development Center, 1922 Makiki Street, Honolulu HI 96822

Cost: $40 per person; Scholarships are available! Please inquire here.

This fall break, educators interested in learning more about Hanahau‘oli School are invited to visit our campus for a guided learning tour with PDC Director and University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa College of Education School of Teacher Education Specialist, Dr. Amber Strong Makaiau. At this half-day visit, participants will have the opportunity to:

• observe our school-wide, daily community-sharing experience (Flag)

• receive a brief introduction to Hanahau‘oli School’s history of progressive teaching and learning and the work of the Professional Development Center

• embark on a tour of our 146,000 sq ft campus

• spend time observing our multi-age classrooms and team teaching approach

• engage in dialogue with administrators over a hosted lunch

About the Facilitator:

Dr. Amber Strong Makaiau is a Specialist at the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Education Institute for Teacher Education Secondary Program. She is also the Director of the Hanahau’oli School Professional Development Center and the Director of Curriculum and Research at the University of Hawai‘i Uehiro Academy for Philosophy and Ethics in Education. She is a dedicated practitioner of philosophy for children Hawai‘i who achieved National Board Certification while teaching secondary social studies in the Hawaii State Department of Education for over ten years. Her current projects include carrying out progressive, multicultural, social justice, and democratic approaches to pre-service social studies teacher education, using self-study research methodologies to promote international collaboration, and developing the emergent field of deliberative pedagogy.

Online Solutionary Micro-credential Course

Dates: Tuesdays, Sep 17, Oct 1, Oct 15, Oct 29, Nov 12, and Nov 26, 2024

Times: 4-5pm HST

Location: Online via Zoom

Cost: Free! (Participants are required to purchase The World Becomes What We Teach)

The Institute for Humane Education, in collaboration with What School Could Be, is pleased to offer a Solutionary Micro-credential Course free of charge to educators in Hawai'i. The course begins September 17 and ends November 26, 2024.

This online course is for educators who seek to empower students to become skilled and hopeful changemakers, particularly with regard to social justice issues and concerns. It includes both synchronous and asynchronous components that will provide educators with both the social and ethical rationale for teaching these concepts and practices, as well as the practical steps necessary to implement solutionary inquiry to action projects with students. For more information about this program, click on the flyer below and visit the IHE website.

Participants in the course will attend and participate in six 1-hour Zoom meetings and complete approximately 30 hours of independent work (2-3 hours each week). The Zoom meetings will be on Tuesdays at 4pm Hawai'i Standard Time on September 17, October 1, 15, and 29, and November 12 and 26. NOTE: If you already know that you cannot make at least four out of the six sessions, please do not complete this application form. We invite you to apply again for a class offered at another time.

The cost of the program is being underwritten by the Institute for Humane Education and What School Could Be. There is no cost for teachers to take the course EXCEPT for the cost to acquire the book: The World Becomes What We Teach by Zoe Weil. 

Click on the image above to download the flyer, and use the orange button below to apply today!

Equal Opportunity for All: Applying the Universal Design for Learning Framework in Your Classroom

Date: Friday, September 13, 2024

Time: 9:00am to 4:00pm

Location: Hanahau'oli School Professional Development Center, located at 1922 Makiki Street, Honolulu HI 96822

Cost: $200 per person
Scholarships and neighbor island travel stipends are available! Please inquire here.

How can teachers meet the variety of learner needs in their classrooms in an equitable and proactive manner? This workshop is aimed at providing interactive learning activities and resources for both experienced and more novice teachers, which will support exploration into the Universal Design for Learning framework (UDL). UDL is a research-based set of concrete suggestions that can be applied to any discipline or domain to ensure that all learners can access and participate in meaningful and challenging learning opportunities. They include:

• offering information in more than one format (multiple means of representation)

• giving students more than one way to interact with the material and to show what they learned (multiple means of action and expression), and

• looking for multiple ways to motivate learners (multiple means of engagement).

Through the unpacking of UDL guidelines and principles from the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST), participants will understand ways to positively impact the learning of students with a unique constellation of strengths, challenges, and experiences based on scientific insights into how humans learn best. Participants will also be supported as they develop a specific plan for applying the framework to their own teaching practices. By applying UDL principles, teachers will build flexibility into their instruction to support students with different life experiences, states of developmental progress, and ways and rates of learning to create a sense of belonging for each learner. Participants will walk away with strategies to use tomorrow and into the future.

Lunch will be provided.

About the Facilitators:

Leah S. Muccio, PhD is an associate professor of early childhood education in the College of Education at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. A former classroom educator, she teaches early childhood teacher education courses and supervises teacher candidates in the field. Her research focuses on equity pedagogy, early childhood curriculum, and teacher education and professional development. The aim of Muccio’s scholarship is to promote joyful learning in the early school experiences of culturally, linguistically, and ability diverse young children, their families, and their teachers.

Michael Sheehey, MEd is an assistant specialist in the College of Education at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He has served as a program coordinator, course instructor, practicum supervisor, and mentor of preservice special education teachers for 12 years. He currently coordinates the Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education Program. His research interests include: inclusion in early childhood education, universal design for learning, early intervention, culturally responsive pedagogy.

Using Philosophy for Children (P4C) to Cultivate and Nurture Collaborative Civic Space

Date: Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Location: Hanahau'oli School Professional Development Center, 1922 Makiki Street, Honolulu HI 96822

Cost: $160 per participant. Scholarships available! Inquire here.

Philosophy for Children (P4C) is a worldwide movement that aims to transform the schooling experience of children by engaging them in the activity of philosophy. Locally, the University of Hawai‘i Uehiro Academy for Philosophy and Ethics in Education is the home of philosophy for children Hawai‘i (p4c Hawai‘i). The p4c Hawai‘i approach aids students and teachers in converting traditional classrooms into intellectually safe communities of inquiry. Together, they develop their ability to think for themselves in responsible ways by exploring “big questions” that arise from their interests, experiences, and learning contexts. When practiced with fidelity, p4c Hawai‘i cultivates and nurtures a collaborative civic space in classrooms where individuals “experience dialoguing with others as equals, [and] participating in shared public inquiry [so] that they [are] able to eventually take an active role in the shaping of a democratic society” (Sharp 1993: 343). In this workshop, participants will learn about p4c Hawai‘i from Uehiro Academy faculty and become a part of an intellectually safe professional community of inquiry. They will engage in a number of p4c Hawai‘i’s hallmark activities, including how to use p4c Hawai‘i to engage students in meaningful civil dialogue and inquiry about problems of democracy. They will also reflect on ways to apply the classroom strategies to their diverse teaching contexts.

This workshop is designed for K-12 educators, higher education faculty, and community educators who are interested in exploring how p4c Hawai‘i can be applied to contexts outside of the regular classroom setting. It is also designed for teachers who are interested in interdisciplinary and integrated approaches to education, as well as teachers who want to apply the practice to traditional subject areas and coursework (e.g. Social Studies, English Language Arts, Advisory, etc.)

Lunch will be provided.

About the Presenters:

Dr. Thomas Jackson (Dr. J) is Director of the UH Uehiro Academy for Philosophy and Ethics in Education. In 1979 he received his doctorate in Comparative Philosophy from the University of Hawai'i.  In 1984 he learned of the work of Dr. Matthew Lipman, creator of the now world recognized initiative Philosophy for Children (P4C). Inspired by a three week training workshop at Montclair State College conducted by Dr. Lipman & Ann Margaret Sharp, attended by some 30 international educators Dr. J returned to Hawai'i, intent on bringing this incredibly rich, promising initiative to Hawai'i.  philosophy for children Hawai'i (p4cHawai'i) is our own "Home Grown" expression of  Lipman's original inspiration.

Dr. Benjamin Lukey received his doctorate in comparative philosophy from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.  His interests in philosophy of disability, comparative philosophy, and philosophy for children (p4c) have developed from his broader goal of including more voices in philosophical discourse.  Since 2007, he has been part the p4c Hawai‘i initiative at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, piloting and developing a Philosopher in Residence project at Hawaii public high schools.  Dr. Lukey continues to support p4c Hawaii teachers and students at Waimanalo Elementary & Intermediate School, Kailua High School, Waikiki Elementary, Ka’elepulu Elementary, and the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. He is currently Associate Director for the UH Uehiro Academy for Philosophy and Ethics in Education.

Dr. Amber Strong Makaiau is a Specialist at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Director of Curriculum and Research at the Uehiro Academy for Philosophy and Ethics in Education, Director of the Hanahau‘oli School Professional Development Center, and Co-Director of the Progressive Philosophy and Pedagogy MEd Interdisciplinary Education, Curriculum Studies program. A former Hawai‘i State Department of Education high school social studies teacher, her work in education is focused around promoting a more just and equitable democracy for today’s children. Dr. Makaiau lives in Honolulu where she enjoys spending time in the ocean with her husband and two children.

Dr. Chad Miller is the 2012 Hawaiʻi Teacher of the Year, a National Board Certified teacher, and is currently an Associate Specialist at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Institute for Teacher Education. Dr. Miller also serves as the Director of Teacher Development at the University’s Uehiro Academy for Philosophy and Ethics in Education and in this dual role, he teaches instructional methods courses, as well as courses grounded in the Philosophy for Children (p4c) pedagogy in the College of Education to teacher candidates and graduate students, alike. He also serves as a Philosopher in Residence, where he supports teacher candidates and veteran K-12 teachers as they incorporate the activity of philosophy into their classroom practice through the use of the “Philosopher’s Pedagogy.” Regardless if he is thinking about the environmental implications of “driving” clouds with third graders, the cyclical nature of violence and drug abuse with sophomores in their Language Arts classes, or the value of living the “examined life” with undergraduates, Dr. Miller finds himself participating in extremely meaningful and rigorous philosophical inquiries with students and teachers each day with the aim of creating more thoughtful and compassionate communities.

Dr. Thomas “Toby” Yos is an Assistant Specialist with the University of Hawai‘i Uehiro Academy for Philosophy and Ethics in Education. Arriving at the University of Hawai‘i in 1991, Toby studied under philosophy for children Hawai‘i founder Dr. Thomas Jackson and received a doctoral degree in Philosophy. Since that time Toby has been working in Hawai‘i’s schools. Over the course of the past three decades he has mentored hundreds of teachers and done p4c with thousands of students.

Hawaiʻi Social Justice Educators Community: Gender Equity in Schools

Dates: Thursday, August 29, 2024

(Future gatherings scheduled for November 7, February 27, and April 10)

Time: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm (please note the end time has been extended from 5:30pm for this particular session)

Location: Online via Zoom

Cost: Free

Join us for our first online gathering of the school year on August 29, 2024, where a panel of amazing educators and students will share about their advocacy for gender equity in schools. Please check out the PDC website for more details on our panelists.

• Dr. Lei Ahina-Dawson, clinical psychologist and Director of Social and Emotional Health at ʻIolani School

• Sara Andrin, health aide at Hawaii Technology Academy community and advocate for period equity and sexual health education

• Quinn Goo, a master’s student in educational psychology and a graduate assistant for the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, is dedicated to increasing diversity and accessibility in education.

• Leilani Moran Hurtt, junior at Mid-Pacific Institute, co-leader of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Club

• Madeline Lucy Nicolas, junior at ʻIolani School, an advocate for challenging the stigma surrounding the female body

• Kaelyn Pacpaco, senior at ʻIolani School, a Period Warrior and advocate for a positive period-culture at ʻIolani School

• Candice Sakuda, Director of Community & Civic Engagement at ʻIolani School

• Dr. Lisa Vallin, lecturer in the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

• Nikki-Ann Yee, co-founder of Maʻi Movement with her sister Brandy, pursues the mission of fighting the shame and stigma of period poverty for all menstruators in Hawaiʻi.

About the Hawai ‘i Social Justice Educators Community Gatherings:

This series of four online gatherings is focused on social justice education in Hawaiʻi for those who are:

• in a role supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, or belonging at school

• on a committee exploring such issues

• teaching social justice content in classes

• engaged in advocacy or activism around social justice education

• or are interested in learning more about the work others are doing toward these ends.

We invite you to join us for quarterly conversation in a facilitated format, where we will share and explore the successes and challenges of social justice education in schools in Hawaiʻi. A component of the Social Justice Education in Hawaiʻi Project offered by Hanahauʻoli School and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Education, these informal gatherings are offered at no cost thanks to the generosity of Jana and Howard Wolff.

Understanding the Young Child: A Progressive Approach for 0-6

Date: Monday, August 26, 2024

Time: 8:30am–3:00pm

Location: Hanahau'oli School Professional Development Center, located at 1922 Makiki Street, Honolulu HI 96822

Cost: $160
Registration scholarships available! Please inquire here.

Are you curious about progressive approaches to education or parenting, but don’t know how to bring that into your classroom or household in a productive way? If so, this workshop is designed to support parents and educators who work with children ages 0-6 years in exploring how progressive education can be used to support learning in the early years. 

Pamela Strode, an early childhood Montessori educator and instructor, will be guiding this workshop focusing on four daunting yet crucial aspects of early childhood for the progressive parent and educator: 

• The Cosmic Task of the Caregiver and the Child

• Communication with the Child

• Social Development and Interaction

• Discipline for the Young Child

In this workshop, Pamela will help you to feel empowered to help children be the most successful version of themselves while helping you to become the caregiver or teacher you have always envisioned yourself to be. Professional development hours will be offered for early childhood educators, and lunch will be provided.

About the Facilitator:

Pamela Strode is the owner and director of Strode Montessori. She became inspired when she began working with infants and toddlers after earning her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Economics in 2008 from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She went on to earn a Master’s in Education Curriculum Studies with a focus on Early Childhood Education in 2010 from the University of Hawaii at Manoa while simultaneously earning her AMS Infant/Toddler Montessori teaching credentials at the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies in Boulder, Colorado.

Nurturing Climate-Conscious Classrooms Across the Curriculum

NOW ONLINE VIA ZOOM
Thursday, June 27, 2024
12:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Cost: FREE!

Join Blue Planet Foundation for a "Climate in the Classroom" workshop designed for educators who work with students in grades 6-12 statewide. Teachers wield significant influence as drivers of lasting change within our communities. The Nurturing Climate-Conscious Classrooms Across the Curriculum workshops aim to equip attendees with SDG- and NGSS-aligned content covering the latest in climate science, Hawaiʻi’s education and energy landscapes, and strategies to amplify youth voice in and out of the classroom.

Tailored to accommodate educators' busy schedules, participants will receive ready-to-use climate presentation slides, a comprehensive suite of digital resources, and an interactive Energy Kit containing materials and activities to enhance students' understanding. Additionally, six copies of the book Teaching Climate Change for Grades 6–12 will be shared via a raffle, with free shipping addresses within Hawaii. Attendees will also learn about presentation and field experience opportunities offered by Blue Planet's partners.

Armed with newfound knowledge and resources, educators will leave the workshops prepared to empower their students to confront one of today's most pressing global challenges.

This professional development workshop is made possible with the support of our partners, Hawaiʻi Energy, the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, Atherton Foundation, and Clearway Energy.

About the Facilitator:

Griff Jurgens leads Blue Planet’s education programs, fostering student and teacher engagement across the islands. With initiatives like Climate Crew, he develops curriculum, facilitates PBL projects, and empowers youth to enact change in their communities. As a former teacher with over 12 yrs. in the classroom, Griff is dedicated to education and committed to uplifting youth voices. Outside work, Griff contributes to sustainability films and founded Songs With You, a personalized song music company.

Hawaiʻi Social Justice Educators Community: A Quarterly Gathering

Date: Thursday, April 25, 2024

Time: 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Location: Online via Zoom

Cost: Free

The Hanahau’oli School Professional Development Center and the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa College of Education invite you to a series of hosted events focused on social justice education in Hawai'i. If you are:

• in a role supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, or belonging at school;

• on a committee exploring such issues;

• teaching social justice content in your classes;

• engaged in advocacy or activism around social justice education; or

• interested in such topics…

We invite you to join us for quarterly conversation and networking in a loosely facilitated format, where we will share and explore together the successes and challenges of social justice education in schools in Hawai'i. 

Tools and Strategies for Assessing Literacy Growth Over Time

Date: Friday, April 19, 2024

Time: 9:00 am to 3:30 pm

Location: Hanahau'oli School Professional Development Center, located at 1922 Makiki Street, Honolulu, HI 96822

Cost: $200 per person
Scholarships available! Inquire here.

Literacy development is a process, so how can elementary educators assess literacy development over time? In this workshop, K-6 educators will explore classroom-based literacy assessments designed to inform data-driven instructional decisions. They will be introduced to an array of literacy assessments, which cover discrete elements of reading, literacy indicators for tracking student progress over time, and practical methods for using assessment outcomes to enhance literacy instruction. While formal and standardized assessments are widely used in schools due to their efficiency, they have limitations in providing the nuanced insights needed for day-to-day instructional decisions. This workshop will equip educators with insights into classroom-based assessment practices, which can effectively capture literacy growth over time. Participants will learn how to pair standardized/formal assessments with classroom-based assessments to build a more comprehensive understanding of students’ development.  

During our time together, we will:

• Explore research-based literacy indicators, enabling schools and teachers to make informed decisions when tailoring indicators to align with their unique programs. 

• Engage in hands-on assessment practice, having time for reflection, and the close examination of essential literacy indicators as we consider data informed instructional decisions.

• Plan, either collaboratively within school teams or individually to consider our own students' needs.

Lunch will be provided.

About the Facilitator:

Dr. Stephanie Buelow is an Associate Professor of Literacy Education at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa in the School for Teacher Education. Her current work is focused on teacher preparation and literacy leadership.She teaches undergraduate literacy methods courses in a field-based teacher preparation program, directs the Elementary Literacy Clinic, and teaches graduate courses in Literacy Leadership. Stephanie is the Co-Director of the Hawaii Writing Project and teaches the Hawaii Writing Project’s Invitational Summer Institute. She also currently serves as the President of the Hawaii Council of Teachers of English. Stephanie is the 2018 recipient of the University of Hawaii’s Board of Regents Medal for Excellence in Teaching. Her research interests lie in disciplinary literacies, new literacies, and teacher learning and development. Stephanie’s publications have appeared in The Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, Literacy Practice and Research; The Reading Teacher; Reading Horizons; Middle School Journal; and The Journal of Literacy and Language Education. Stephanie draws upon twelve years of elementary teaching experience in culturally, linguistically, and socioeconomically diverse schools to ground her current work as a teacher educator. In addition to classroom teaching experience, Stephanie was a Literacy Coach, Title I Coordinator, Technology Specialist, and District Level Literacy Resource Teacher--all of which offered her opportunities to work with administrators and teachers from diverse K-12 settings.

Essential Water Competencies for our Keiki

Date: Thursday, March 7, 2024

Time: 8:30am–12:00pm

Location: Beginning at Hanahau'oli School, located at 1922 Makiki Street, Honolulu HI 96822 and concluding at Magic Island, Ala Moana Beach Park (2.2 miles, 10 min drive)

Cost: $100 per person

Scholarships are available! Please inquire here.

In Hawai‘i, we live  on an island, which offers incredible opportunities for us to explore and enjoy aquatic environments. However, it also presents unique challenges and responsibilities when it comes to water safety. This is especially true for anyone that lives or works with children. Our keiki are often exposed to the ocean from a young age, making it essential for them to develop water competency skills early on. At this workshop, we will address the needs of parents/guardians and educators who want to ensure the safety of our keiki in and around water. The water safety skills will be learned both in a classroom environment and in the water.

In the workshop participants will be taught specific water safety skills that they can use to educate children.  At the end of the workshop, participants will be equipped to create a safer aquatic experience for our keiki and foster a community that understands and practices water safety. 

This workshop is essential for anyone who works with children, especially those in and around water. This includes Physical Education teachers, lifeguards, swim instructors, and parents/guardians.

Please note: this workshop is not a water safety certification course, but an informational educational experience that will teach participants basic water safety competencies and skills.

Workshop Agenda:

In the classroom at Hanahau‘oli School:

8:30-8:50 Introduction and ice- breaker “What does it mean to know how to swim?”

8:50-9:15 Hawaii Aquatic Foundation: what they started and why it’s important to continue their work

9:15-9:50 Water Competencies – Making the shift from swimming skills to water competencies 

9:50-10:00 Review beach tasks. Break up into groups for the beach. Handouts, and Questions

In and out of the water at Ala Moana Beach Park:

10:00-10:30 Travel to Magic Island, Ala Moana Beach Park, Lifeguard Tower 1E (12 minute drive, 2.2 miles) and be ready with swimsuit, rash guard, sun protection, and goggles (optional)

10:30-12:00 16 Water Competencies and how to teach them across all levels

About the Facilitator:

Chelsea Huang was born and raised in San Francisco, CA and moved to Hawai’i in 2006 to swim at UH-Manoa. She quickly found a wonderful group within the swim community and it reignited her love for open water swimming. She has 2 decades of experience teaching, coaching, and training swimmers of all ages and abilities. Water safety was instilled in her at a very young age and combined with her experience and love for swimming she hopes to share that with as many of Hawai’i's keiki as she can.

The Art of Positive Teaming

Date: Saturday, March 2, 2024

Time: 8:30 am to 12:30 pm

Location: Hanahau'oli School, located at 1922 Makiki Street, Honolulu, HI 96822

Cost: $100 per person
Scholarships available! Inquire here.

Co-teaching or team teaching provides educators with the opportunity to build on each other's strengths and skills to plan, organize, instruct and assess students for improved teaching and learning. In this workshop, join two Hanahau‘oli School veteran teachers who each have over twenty years experience with team teaching. They will share their journeys as team members and how they learned the art of “teaming by doing.” Following a lively presentation, this active professional development experience will include the examination of varied case studies to highlight the tenants of powerful, productive and positive team teaching. Participants will have opportunities to plan for team teaching and reflect on the effectiveness of their own teams. Additionally, participants will walk away with a toolbox of ideas and resources that will support school leaders and team members’ roles within their particular school settings.

This workshop is designed for all educators serving on a teaching team as well as those hoping to implement the team teaching model. We invite early educators through high school teachers, department chairs, school leaders, and educators who work with adults. If possible, we encourage participants currently working in teams to attend as a team.

About the Facilitators:

Kathy Galdeira Many places of learning have contributed to Kathy's passion for teaching and commitment to children. Beginning at Lanikai Elementary, continuing into the Punahou School community then onto Lewis & Clark College, each learning community offered her insights into the joyful process of learning. Earning a B.A. in Elementary Education and Psychology, her classroom career began in Oregon and found its way back to Hawaii. Her relationship with Hanahau'oli School began in 1987, spanning 34 years of classroom teaching, 22 of which were in multi-age 7-9 year old classrooms. Her children are alumni of this special place. Together they share a passion for this beautiful Island Home. Her new found joy arrived with the recent birth of her first grandchild.

Maile Ostrem Maile started her teaching career in Hawai‘i after following her lifelong dream of becoming an early childhood educator. She’s a proud graduate of Sacred Hearts Academy, Arizona State University, and the University of Hawai‘i's Masters program in Early Childhood Education. Her first decade of teaching offered experience in teaching students ages 3-12. They included teaching for the KCAA preschools where was charged with spearheading a Gifted Program. Other years were spent at St Patrick’s School and three different elementary schools in the Windward District of ‘Oahu. These experiences led her to her dream job, joining the faculty of Hanahau‘oli School in 1985 as their First Grade Teacher. She thrived there for 13 years and helped develop a strong curriculum and many cherished traditions that continue to this day. Once the school decided to change to a multiage structure which included team teaching, Maile was placed on the initial team of three teachers in their Kindergarten-First Grade Classroom called Kukunaokalā. The school continued to expand the programs and Maile taught in both the K-1 and 2-3 classrooms for the remaining 21 years of her career before retiring in 2019. Throughout her career Maile was also a mentor for student teachers with the University of Hawai‘i and was an active contributing workshop leader with the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools. Most recently she helped lead workshops throughout the State for Early Childhood Educators. She continues to substitute at Hanahau‘oli, conducts workshops, and enjoys the freedom to spend retired life traveling, being with family, and keeping active with paddling, golf, pickleball and hula.

Conflict De-escalation & Resolution

Date: Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Time: 1:30 to 3:00 pm

Location: Hanahau'oli School Pavilion, located at 1922 Makiki Street, Honolulu, HI 96822

Cost: Free

Join the Hanahau‘oli Professional Development Center and Sgt. Bryne Nagata of the UH Mānoa Department of Public Safety to learn and practice methods for conflict de-escalation and resolution in educational environments. 

In this 90 minute workshop, we will learn about precipitating factors to conflict, signs of agitation, and discuss verbal and nonverbal de-escalation techniques. In addition, we will discuss how to end the de-escalation process, and what to do when de-escalation isn’t possible. Recommended for all educators, administrators, and school employees, this workshop is provided at no cost and aims to support educators as they work to maintain the safety of our school communities.

About the Facilitator:

Sergeant Bryne Nagata has been at the UH Manoa Department of Public Safety for 10 years. In that time, he has held the ranks of Officer, Corporal, and now Sergeant. He has various responsibilities, including being assigned to the Crime Prevention Unit (CPU), where he teaches not only University departments and offices but outside the University as well. He has worked with both public and private sectors, including the City and County of Honolulu's DMV staff, Summer Fun leader staff, and private entities such as Waikiki Health Center and Kline-Welsh Behavioral Health Foundation staff. He also oversees both the administrative and patrol responsibilities at the Kakaako Campus which is home to the University's John A. Burn School of Medicine and Cancer Center.

Hawaiʻi Social Justice Educators Community: A Quarterly Gathering

Date: Thursday, February 22, 2024

Time: 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Location: Online via Zoom

Cost: Free

The Hanahau’oli School Professional Development Center and the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa College of Education invite you to a series of hosted events focused on social justice education in Hawai'i. If you are:

• in a role supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, or belonging at school;

• on a committee exploring such issues;

• teaching social justice content in your classes;

• engaged in advocacy or activism around social justice education; or

• interested in such topics…

We invite you to join us for quarterly conversation and networking in a loosely facilitated format, where we will share and explore together the successes and challenges of social justice education in schools in Hawai'i.