Teacher Leaders in Action

Congratulations Teacher Leaders

During the 2015-2016 SY, teachers from across the State of Hawaii came together as strangers, grew as professionals, and now venture forward as leaders in their respective areas of expertise. With a focus on action research and driven by the momentum of professional growth, thirty-nine educators shared their projects and school initiatives which supported structures, peers and students. It has been an honor to have learned alongside the members of this cohort, and I look forward to future collaboration opportunities that will enable us to support Hawaii's public schools!                                                       
Sandy Cameli, EdD
Educational Specialist • Hawaii Dept. of Education

Action Research Projects

Liza Akana Yoshida (Pu’u Kukui Elementary)

Making Meaning in Math

Alison Awai (Jefferson Elementary)

O Say, Can You See?

Pat Ayat (Waimea Elementary)

Malama I Ke Kula – Community Engagement

Margarette Barsatan (Lanai High & Elementary)

Developing the Response to Intervention (RTI) Process

Lisa Bediamol (Waihee Elementary)

Wednesdays at Waihee

Dr. Valerie Benjamin (Ilima Intermediate)

Bridging the Springboard and Technology Gap

Michelle Cerizo (Kahului Elementary)

Wonders with a Tier III Flare

Shely Chang (Kaimiloa Elementary)

Behavior Matrix for Learning

Jessica Dahlke (Kealakehe High)

Success for all WaveRiders: Hokupa’a Youth Leadership Council

Lianne Dela Cruz (Pu’u Kukui Elementary)

Making Meaning in Math

Kerem Esteban (Kalihi Kai Elementary)

The Development of Kalihi Kai Elementary’s RTI-A System

Guy Gambone (Konawaena Middle School)

Department Generated Goals and the ILT Cycle

Mikell Groff (West Hawaii Complex Area)

Building Leadership Skills for Teacher Leaders in West Hawaii

Kristin Hirata (Ala Wai Elementary)

Moving Towards Differentiation in ELA through Small Group Instruction

Kacie Holton (Kamali’i Elementary)

RTI: Rockin’ the Interventions at Kamali’i Elementary School

Phillip Hon (Aiea High)

Building Community and Collaboration through SOUL

Mark Iwasaki (Ewa Elementary)

Increasing Student Lexile Levels to Narrow Reading Proficiency “Gaps”

Kelly Ka’awa-Richardson (Molokai Middle)

7^th Grade Team Interdisciplinary Unit

Lisa Kahue (Mauka Lani Elementary)

Mauka Lani Elem. Triangulation of Data Leads the Way Towards Student Growth

Joy Kuraoka (King Intermediate)

Cobra Path

Marlise Lambert (Honoka’a High & Intermediate)

How to Use Data to Support Student Success

Connie Lawler (Kamali’i Elementary)

RTI: Rockin’ the Interventions at Kamali’i Elementary School

Bernie Lopez (Kaiulani Elementary)

School-wide Writing Rubrics: Working to Improve Student Writing

Karen Mahiko (Pope Elementary)

Getting Response to Intervention (RTI) in Place

Grace Makaimoku-Young (Stevenson Middle)

Structure, Structure, Structure: The Yellow Brick Road to an Adaptive School

Allison Na’auao-Dickson (Kula Elementary)

Kula Elementary Bully Reporting Process

Jessie O’Neill-Prest (Kihei Elementary)

Extreme Makeover: Library Edition

Christine Oshita (Kamali’i Elementary)

RTI: Rockin’ the Interventions at Kamali’i Elementary School

Linda Paisley (Waimea Elementary)

Waimea Elementary School Response to Intervention (RTI) Guide

Amanda Seymore (Aliamanu Middle)

Reading is Alive!

DeAnne Shibaoka (Webling Elementary)

A System for Change – P.D.C.A.

Amanda Shim (Kula Elementary)

Full STEAM Ahead – Lesson Study Across the Grade Levels

Kahea Snow (Webling Elementary)

A System for Change – P.D.C.A.

Lauren Stitt (Kihei Elementary)

Extreme Makeover: Library Edition

Dawn Taba (Kauai High)

Taking Strides Towards Excellence – Classroom Walkthroughs for School-wide improvement

Vaega Toilolo (Kahuku High & Intermediate)

Google Apps for Teachers

Eugene Toyama (Waialua Elementary)

1:1 Pilot – Device Selection Study

Jill Tung-Loong (Waiakea Elementary)

Building Systems of Support for Teachers Working with ELLs

Robert Van (Farrington High)

Raising the SBA Test Scores

Where's my Spoon?

Where's my spoon? And other questions about change

Sandy Cameli (EdD), Educational Specialist • Hawaii Dept. of Education

Expectations can be motivating and exciting when moving forward; however, they also can be discouraging, if assumptions outweigh possibilities. How does a capable professional, with abundant resources, talents and experiences step into a new leadership role only to find his/her transition to be ineffective, unsuccessful - even clunky? Why is a previous rhythm, pace or momentum not aligning with a new flow? Why are rituals and routines for leading adults so different than leading students? When does it start to feel like a difference is being made, as opposed to just spinning one's wheels? And, where are the <damn> spoons???  (this last question will make sense shortly :)  

A colleague's missing spoon story illustrates the point about expectations and new beginnings...

A beloved grandmother moved into a beautiful new home to enjoy her retirement years. Prior to the move she helped design the layout, picked out paint and carpet colors, found the perfect fabric for curtains, and placed stakes in the ground for her vegetable garden. There were citrus trees lining the backyard, rose bushes dotting the entryway, and stretches of sidewalk in the neighborhood to take her evening stroll. The bus stopped two doors down from her front yard, and the 14-minute ride took her to the library, market and bank on any given day. She was thrilled to begin this new chapter in her life, and excited to celebrate a housewarming by preparing a special meal for her children and grandkids.

On the morning of Grandma's great feast, the eldest daughter stopped by to offer help, only to find her mother frazzled, frustrated and on the verge of tears. When asked what happened or what was wrong, her mother simply paced around the kitchen - now in disarray - muttering about a missing spoon. Her daughter rifled through some drawers and held up a plastic scoop, "Here's one", only to be met by a firm shake of her mother's head, and the slamming of more drawers. This continued a few more moments until the exhausted matriarch sat down at the table, looking defeated & exacerbated, and began to cry. Panicked, her daughter rushed over and pleaded, "Mom, what's wrong?"

       

The grandmother shared that her expectations for this new environment, new home and new life were not what she envisioned, and she worried she had made a huge mistake. The postman mis-delivered her mail to a neighbor, the ATM declined her new debit card, and she forgot which bus stop to get off at when returning from the market. The breaking point came when she couldn't find her favorite wooden spoon - cracked, stained & having seen better days - but the very one she used for years to cook for her family. The new utensils and appliances were certainly adequate and could do the job, but they were not familiar nor did they offer reassurance for the seasoned chef. She simply had not found the rhythm, rituals or routines that worked for her in this new environment - thus contributing to the unsettling moment.

Crisis was averted when the cherished spoon was finally located, tears had been dried by red, calico towels, the fragrance of homemade delicacies filled the air, and laughter and stories provided music to the family's ears during Grandma's inaugural Sunday dinner in her new home.  

The message above was never about a spoon or even the right utensil; nor was it about the new setting or change in lifestyle, but rather how the expectations of what one thinks should be and what actually are can derail even the most centered of individuals. Leadership is a professional as well as personal journey; one filled with continual expectations. How an individual prepares for these new experiences or surroundings is as essential as adapting to the unexpected. 

Pack a favorite spoon for the journey -

but be prepared to stir with whatever utensil is provided!