Enter to win an Apple iPad Air in HSTA’s sign-waving contest
From now through Aug. 13, members who attend HSTA-recommended sign-waving events and participate in additional actions to promote voter turnout can enter for a chance to win!
HSTA releases 2022 primary election recommendations
Recommendations are based on research, membership input, interviews, and discussions to determine which candidates would be the strongest advocates for teachers, students, and public education in policies and legislation.
HSTA recommends Jill Tokuda for Hawaii’s Second Congressional District
The Hawaii State Teachers Association is excited to announce our support of Jill Tokuda for Hawaii’s Second Congressional District, which covers suburban and rural Oahu, including the Leeward and Windward coasts and all of Hawaii’s neighbor islands.
DOH: Masking optional in updated school guidance; quarantine, social distancing will also ease
HSTA recommends that all Bargaining Unit 05 members continue to practice mitigating strategies whenever possible, which includes staying up to date with vaccines and boosters, and masking indoors to minimize the chances of catching COVID, especially given the ongoing shortage of substitute teachers.
Governor signs state budget with compression fix, shortage differentials monies
Gov. David Ige signed into law the state budget Thursday that includes more than $164 million to end salary compression for experienced educators, fund shortage differentials, and restore paid job-embedded professional development for all teachers.
HIDOE confirms shortage differentials for 2022–23 school year
Shortage differentials for classroom teachers in special education, hard-to-staff locations, and Hawaiian language immersion programs will continue through school year 2022–23, and the eligibility criteria remain the same as those that are currently in place for this school year.
Vice President Kamala Harris inspires delegates at NEA RA
Many Hawaii State Teachers Association members said they were inspired and energized by her speech, especially after her parting words: “Do not despair. Do not be overwhelmed. Do not throw up your hands when it is a time to roll up our sleeves.”
Hawaii educators instrumental in new NEA policy on safe, just, and equitable schools
They spent the better part of a year meeting virtually and in person to identify the criteria for safe, just, and equitable schools, including exploring the role of law enforcement in education and compiling data.
Governor tells HSTA he will OK teacher pay funds
While the state budget bill is on the governor’s intent to veto list for line item vetoes, the governor confirmed to HSTA that none of the teacher compensation items will be line-item vetoed.
Hawaiʻi will provide free period products in all public schools
Gov. David Ige signed Senate Bill 2821 into law Monday, making Hawaiʻi the sixth state in the country to provide quality menstrual supplies free of charge to public school students.