Congratulations to TLA 21-22 Cohort!

 

Congratulations to the Na Kumu Alakaʻi - 

Teacher Leader Academy (TLA) 2022 Graduates

The 21-22 TLA Cohort exemplified the saying - "When passion meets purpose" - in all they have done to grow as leaders, while also supporting and adding value to their respective learning communities! It truly has been a pleasure to learn and lead with such a powerful group of influencers! Let this not be the last time our paths cross! Mahalo!

Sandy Cameli, TLA Program Coordinator

TLA 2021-2022 Graduates

Rose Acevedo, Naʻalehu Elementary 

Daniel Akemoto, Kalani High 

Julie Bonilla, Holomua Elementary

Ben Callahan, Kula Elementary

Cherie Carvalho, Kohala Elementary

Juliet Cole, Lanakila Elementary

Serena Cox, Waimea Canyon Middle

Lisa Davalos-Wade, Waimea High

Nellie Davis,  Naʻalehu Elementary

Kellie Frias, Hilo High

Danielle Fujii, Kalaheo High

Victoria Gonzales, Keoneula Elementary

Caroline Goya, Waiakeawaena Elementary

Melissa Hangai, Pearl Harbor Elementary

Dani Hitt, Stevenson Middle

Rebecca Holland, Honowai Elementary

Jennifer Ichiyama-Bangan, Jefferson Elementary

Misty Isa Dacuycuy, Nanaikapono Elementary

Gina Kakalia, Manoa Elementary

Jessica Kam, Iroquois Point Elementary

William Kealy, Kihei Elementary

Jennifer Key, Naʻalehu Elementary

Renesha Kierstedt, Mililani High

Bryant Lau, Windward District Office

Joyceline Lee, Kainalu Elementary

Nicole Luke, Kainalu Elementary

Theresa Malone, Kalaheo Elementary

Nicole Martin, Kahului Elementary

Kristina McCracken, Keaʻau Middle

Tammy Miller, Leeward District Office

Melissa Moriguchi, Wahiawa Elementary

Travis Nakayama, Konawaena High

Elysia Ney, Kohala Elementary 

Kalelani Ogata, Lincoln Elementary

Dawn Palmerston, Kaʻumana Elementary

Brittney Pasion Almeida, Radford High

Molly Phipps, Kihei Elementary

Marissa Purcell, Kauai High

Kristi Reyes, Nanaikapono Elementary

Eddeille Thomas, Kohala Elementary

Heather Toguchi, Waialua Elementary

Summer Yonamine, Waialua Elementary

Ride the Carousel: The Power of Networking for Teacher Leaders

 

Ride the Carousel: The Power of Networking for Teacher Leaders

Sandy Cameli, EdD • Educational Specialist
Hawai'i State Dept. of Education

During a recent event coordinated through Na Kumu Alaka'i - Teacher Leader Academy (TLA) - a professional learning experience sponsored by the Hawai'i State Department of Education, a teacher leader asked me, "How did you get so many wonderful organizations to participate? I would love to do something like this for my school (or district), but don't even know where to begin!" 

The event she was referring to was the annual TLA Carousel of Resources in which educational partners from state-level offices, non-profit organizations, professional development sponsors and stakeholders interested in supporting Hawai'i public schools are invited to share their resources and opportunities with the current teacher leader cohort. These partners represent, but are not limited to: university and community college outreach, local museum and zoo education departments, Hawaiian cultural resources, subject matter experts for curriculum programming, leadership pathways, and professional development experiences. Similar to a gallery-walk event, partners typically set up tables on the perimeter of a large room and teachers move freely between stations to network with the variety of educational stakeholders. (During the pandemic years, however, the event was replicated via Zoom and used breakout rooms with a rotational schedule for participants and guest partners to engage). In both formats, teacher leaders spend time collecting *brass rings* while building their network with enthusiastic partners.

So how would an interested educator go about planning and coordinating a similar event for their own school or district? The answer - just ask!

When we started this event 6 years ago, there were a half-dozen tables and a handful of guests who attended. The teacher leader participants were equally excited to experience the Carousel, and took away resources, opportunities and contacts to share with their schools - the quantity of partners was not the focus, the quality of connections gained however was priceless! The event has now grown to 20 different stations with upwards of 40 guest presenters joining us annually. Stakeholders in the community are eager to participate in education-based events, and are always on the look-out for networking opportunities, so again - just ask!

Returning to the original question of how to coordinate a networking opportunity for a school and stakeholders, I've included some simple steps based on the 5 Ws & 1 H for planning and preparation:

• Why is this opportunity is important for your group (what is the purpose?)

• Who is this for? Who should be invited? Who will help you coordinate? (an event like this takes a team, so find those colleagues who share the vision!)

• When will this be held? (determine a date and time convenient for your group.)

• Where will it be housed? (consider table space and networking room; make sure parking is adequate for guest partners; if hosting online, be aware of logistics for all attendees)

• How often will you communicate with all involved? (ex: invite guests 3 months out; announce event to group 6-8 weeks out; send reminders to all within a week of the scheduled date)

• What resources/tools are needed for event? (ex: a program with description of options for attendees; signage for tables; name tags; water/drinks; notes of appreciation to guest, post-event) 

For teacher leaders participating in TLA's annual Carousel of Resources, the takeaways and opportunities from thought-partners who value education and embody a pay-it-forward philosophy, are an invaluable experience. And although the event may look intimidating from the outside for a first-time coordinator, consider just starting with a few horses on your carousel ... ultimately you will still walk away with some amazing gold rings!

Mahalo to the 2022 TLA Carousel Partners:

Goldilocks and the 3 Goals

 

Goldilocks and the 3 Goals:

Merging reflective practice with goal setting for learning leaders

Sandy Cameli, EdD 

Congratulations TLA 20-21 Cohort!!!

 

Na Kumu Alaka 'i - Teacher Leader Academy 

TLA 20-21 Cohort

Mahalo to the 20-21 TLA Cohort for their commitment and dedication to the students, staff and stakeholders in Hawai'i public schools! These thirty-nine teacher leaders completed action research projects in the midst of a pandemic, and having never met one another in-person, developed one of the strongest networking communities possible!

Vanne Akagi-Bustin

Leilehua High School

Mark Atta

Fern Elementary

Michael Balangitao

Baldwin High School

Eri Blanco

Pa'auilo Elementary and Intermediate School

JJ Cabralda

Leilehua High School

Mapuana Dudoit

Kaunakakai Elementary School

Josette Germano

Nānāikapono Elementary School

Tarah Green

Waiakeawaena Elementary School

Kathy Grondin

Kalihi Elementary School

Joyce Haase

Kaunakakai Elementary School

Haunani Haasenritter

Hilo Intermediate School

Derrek Halmas

Kahakai Elementary School

Nicole Heinlein

'Iao Intermediate School

Tavis Kagawa

Wilcox Elementary School

Barbra Kaimuloa Bates

Kahakai Elementary

Jenna Kala

Leihoku Elementary

Charisse Kapapa

Ka'iulani Elementary School

Julie Kurisu

Alvah Scott Elementary

William Larger

Waikele Elementary School

Blake Lau

Fern Elementary

Joanne Mateo

James Campbell High School

Julia Mew

Moanalua Middle School

Kristin Mullin

Central Middle School

Brittany Neizman

Kula Elementary

Trisha Nishimoto

Hilo-Waiakea Complex Area

Reid Nomura

Manana Elementary School

Jackie Nuha-Tabernero

Waikele Elementary School

Marlene Ohira-Tayama

Mililani Uka Elementary

Cedric Ranchez

Kaimuki High School

Keiko Sagawa-Pananganan

Waimea High School

Tami Saito

Wailuku Elementary

Norman Sales

Farrington High School

Chad Schimmelfennig

'Ele'ele Elementary School

Noelani Takayesu

Central Middle School

Lee Teraoka

Palisades Elementary School

Amy Ueunten

Waimea High School

Pola Umemoto

Hilo Intermediate School

Christine Valledor

Leihoku Elementary School

Todd Yanagi

Waiakeawaena Elementary School

"What Leadership looks like" (graphs)

Cluster Coaching by Complex Areas via Zoom

Home Groups 20-21

 

Flip Your Funnel - How Leaders Expand their Lens 

while Honoring “Peer-spectives”

Sandy Cameli, Ed.D.

Leaders are often tasked with guiding followers toward a prescribed direction. And, with a goal of moving an initiative or organization forward, said leaders often work under the assumption that common perspectives are shared. Yet, perspectives can also be divisive - take current day politics for example - and cause irreparable damage to systems, structures or relationships when not acknowledged or honored. Thus, it can be a challenge for any leader to be truly effective when one’s own point of view does not align with colleagues’ “peer-spectives”.

A perspective can be defined as a visible scene, a specific technique or a viewpoint expressing one’s ideas, it can also be limited by an individual’s angle or attitude. Additionally, perspectives are often sought after, even celebrated, when they enhance decision making or provide support to those seeking guidance. So how does a growth-minded leader expand his or her perspective in order to serve as well as enhance agency in others? Grab a funnel and let’s get to work!

In the kitchen, the purpose of a funnel is to narrow contents from a bigger container into a smaller one. A cook may also use it to measure or channel ingredients through the apex in order to produce a desired dish or meal. The ultimate goal of the wide end of a funnel is to whittle down a large quantity to a precise outcome. In other words, narrowing the scope of what is visibly plated. Let’s see how an innovative chef took this simple item and repurposed it to expand others’ perspectives: 

On a recent celebrity food show, the host was preparing cakes and pies for children’s birthday parties. A variety of decorating tools were used to create eye-catching displays for the desserts presented. And, in an unconventional use of a common tool the chef flipped a funnel to allow sprinkles and candies to siphon through the narrow end, and spray randomly over the cream cheese toppings below. It was messy and chaotic, but it yielded such unique designs for each cupcake creation! The unicorn-inspired treats were not uniform in appearance, nor could a recipient be guaranteed the same pattern as another, but what the technique lacked in professional craft it made up for in the wow-factor! This culinary artist had flipped a funnel on a routine practice and changed the perspective of an ordinary kitchen utensil for the audience who became enthralled by the confetti creations. This innovative display posed a thought-provoking inquiry for out-of-the-box thinkers: How then might flipping-a-funnel impact a leader’s lens, practice or effectiveness?

Think about a recent decision or choice made. Perhaps trusted colleagues were consulted, necessary information was researched, and a problem-solving protocol was employed before a recommendation was made. All sound practices. However, are these always the same steps taken when deliberating? Does the wide-ended viewpoint method narrow one's perspective to generate similar outcomes each time? Instead, how might the decision-making process change if a different timeline was used, or unfamiliar resources explored? What considerations may influence the end result if voices - not previously included - were invited to weigh in? Consider this wondering about expanding perspective: Before flipping a funnel to view from the narrow end out, consider what may or may not have been missed from prior (wide-ended) observations?

The following acronym for FLIP applies simple steps for expanding perspectives:

F = Focus on intentionally seeing situations from various angles. It's common knowledge that 3+3=6, but so does 2+4, how else can problems or issues be analyzed without reverting to the same techniques? Similar to goal-setting, one must build in rituals and routines to seek out alternatives for action items. Habitual practices produce muscle memory, which continually expands one’s lens for communication, decision-making and problem solving, often eliciting effective results.

L = Limit guidance from the same resources. Leaders certainly appreciate and draw comfort from a tried & true library of knowledge, but what other resources may be overlooked that could stretch and impact a leader's thinking? What of value has been possibly missed or not considered in the past? How can published works from counter-opinions inform one's practice?

I = Invite other voices to the table. Who has not been visible or on a leader's radar in recent months? Who appears to contradict or oppose ideas on a regular basis, but could help a leader see things differently if asked? Who represents various stakeholders and should be at the table? How can “peer-spectives” enhance current practices and leadership traits?

P = Promote and publicize others’ ideas in order to build capacity for collective leading. Shared leadership is only effective when equity in responsibility and recognition exists in tandem. Which contributions from peers might appeal to a wider audience or targeted stakeholders? What blindspots do leaders possess that may prevent them from highlighting the work of others? How can incorporating invitational language into “asks” build confidence, and grow leadership in colleagues? 

The funnel analogy is not a fix-it solution, nor will it instantly alter an individual’s practice; however, readers are invited to look through both ends of a funnel and to compare what is seen, and what is missed. How much more can be observed when we flip our funnels to the narrow side and view outward? What might be missing from our current vantage points? And finally, how can an expanded perspective honor and appreciate “peer-spectives” in order to strengthen the culture and climate of our working and learning environments?