Nominations open for HSTA’s 2020 Pono and Friend of Youth awards

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The Hawaii State Teachers Association's Human and Civil Rights Committee is seeking nominations for its 2020 Pono and Friend of Youth Awards.

Our Pono Award "has to do with one of your colleagues who are great social justice warriors. I'm sure you've got friends out there that are very active with regards to social justice," said HSTA vice president Osa Tui Jr. in a message to members.

"Our Friend of Youth Award recognizes someone in the community who does great things with our keiki. I used to do robotics, and I had a lot of people in our community that volunteered their time and efforts with robotics, but you might know people from all different walks of life who do great things with our youth," Tui said.

Nominations are due Jan. 10, 2020.

Pono Award

Who can be nominated: Any active HSTA member in good standing with at least two years of membership.

Why they deserve to be nominated: This award recognizes an exceptional member who advocates on social justice issues that impact the lives of students, fellow educators, and the community. Nominees must be principal organizers of campaigns or actions to address social justice issues such as, but not limited to: immigration reform, school-to-prison pipeline, equity in education, LGBTQ bias and issues, English-language learner advocacy, racial profiling, voter suppression and/or rights, and bullying.

Who can submit a nomination: Anyone!

What you need to do: Fill out a nomination form and including the following documentation:

1. A detailed description of the activity or activities and the nominee’s direct involvement and capacity. Must not exceed four (4) pages, double-spaced.
2. Nominee statement: Address the nominee's social justice engagement within schools or the community, and explain the importance of this work and impact on the lives of students. Must not exceed two (2) pages, double-spaced.

These next elements are optional, but encouraged to strengthen your nomination:

3. Optional: Letter(s) of recommendation, typewritten unless submitted by a student.
4. Optional: Nominee’s resume.
5. Optional: Additional supporting materials, such as news clippings, flyers, photos, etc.

Nominees will be judged on the following criteria:

• Social justice advocacy that includes direct involvement, capacity and degree of involvement.
• Impact on the community, including the number of people touched or involved, and benefit to the community.
• Role and influence as the principal organizer of a campaign or action.
• Outcome and/or perpetuity of this campaign or action.

Past winner: Laverne Moore. "A special education teacher at McKinley High School who has taught in Hawaii public schools for (more than) 46 years, Laverne (was) president of HSTA's Honolulu Chapter. She has been active in everything from helping the homeless to fighting for the rights of special education students."

The recipient of this award will be submitted as HSTA's nominee to the National Education Association Social Justice Activist of the Year Award. This award recognizes an NEA member who demonstrates the ability to lead, organize and engage educators, parents, and the community to advocate on social justice issues that impact the lives of students, fellow educators and the communities they serve. It is presented during NEA’s Conference on Racial and Social Justice in July.

Download: Nomination form | Flyer

Friend of Youth Award

Who can be nominated: Anyone!

Why they deserve to be nominated: This award recognizes an outstanding individual who works to support Hawaii's youth. Nominees must be involved in a youth-oriented activity outside of his or her professional duties, dedicate time and service to this cause, and demonstrate significant impact on youth.

Who can submit a nomination: Nominations must be submitted by HSTA members only.

What you need to do: Fill out a nomination form and include a detailed description of no more than two (2) pages that explains the nominee's:

1. Involvement in a youth-oriented activity outside of their professional duties (please specify the activity, degree of involvement, etc.).
2. Impact on Hawaii’s youth e.g. how many keiki are affected, the benefit they receive as a result of the nominee’s actions.
3. Volunteer hours and length of service.
4. Facilities, resources, and/or equipment that were either donated by the nominee, or made available due to the nominee’s actions.

Nominees will be judged on the following criteria:

• Involvement in a youth-oriented activity outside of their professional duties.
• Impact on Hawaii's youth.
• Time and service.
• Use of facilities, resources and/or equipment.

Past winner: Jason Routon. "As a security guard at Highlands Intermediate School for over the last 14 years, Jason has been entrusted with the safety of our students. What most people don't realize though is that Jay's work at this school goes beyond his normal duties and does not stop when the school bell rings. When we think of a security guard, we usually think of protecting our students' physical well being, but Jay really makes an effort to care for the students' overall health. In the last four years, I have been privileged to coach basketball alongside Jason and have watched the students grow as players and people under his tutelage. As a result, within recent years, both of our boys and girls teams have had winning seasons and have been league champs for the past two years. For a couple of these years, Jay had been the only one to coach, so literally, without his commitment to our students, we would not have the successful program we have today."

Download: Nomination form | Flyer

How to submit your nomination

Completed nomination forms and additional documents can be submitted via mail, fax, or email by Jan. 10, 2020.