HIDOE to continue shortage differentials next school year
Shortage differentials that the Hawaii State Department of Education began in January for special education classroom teachers, Hawaiian language immersion educators and teachers at hard-to-staff schools will continue in school year 2020–21, after the department confirmed the eligibility criteria in a memo published this week.
NEA hosts free webinar on student debt relief for educators
During this event, experts will present the tools and knowledge to help you lower your student loan payments before the payment suspension expires in September 2020, fight for broader suspension and loan cancellation in current COVID relief legislation, and put yourself on the path to get your current debt canceled under the Teacher Loan Forgiveness and Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs.
HSTA: HIDOE needs to clearly explain school reopening plan
The HSTA Negotiations Team meets for an hour and a half with top HIDOE officials Monday to begin detailed bargaining about reopening schools.
Summer paychecks, shortage differentials explained
Starting this Friday, members who began receiving shortage differentials in the spring will see a drop in their summer paychecks. This decrease is a result of the differential only being payable for half of the year, and you have already been paid a large portion of the differential.
How HSTA determines candidate recommendations during an election year
This is a general timeline of our candidate recommendations process for the 2020 elections. All committee meetings and candidate interviews took place virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Join HSTA’s HCR Committee to discuss systemic racism in Hawaii’s schools and communities
On Wednesday, June 24, from 4–6 p.m., we invite fellow members to join us for a listening session to reflect on these issues, share your thoughts, and generate ideas for change.
An elementary school teacher reflects on distance learning during the coronavirus pandemic
Coby Thornton is a fourth-grade general education inclusion teacher at Kipapa Elementary School. He shares his experience and reflects on the final quarter of the 2019–20 school year, from adapting to changes caused by the coronavirus pandemic to what he feels needs to change moving forward.
HSTA supports Colleen Hanabusa for Honolulu mayor
For the first time, the Hawaii State Teachers Association announced Monday its support for a Honolulu mayoral candidate. The union says former congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa is the best person to lead Honolulu Hale for the next four years.
Free and low-cost professional development opportunities for HSTA members
Over the summer, we will be posting information on free and low-cost opportunities for our members. These resources will focus on the needs of our educators as we prepare for the next school year.
HSTA’s 2020 primary election state Legislature candidate recommendations
The Hawaii State Teachers Association released Friday its recommendations for Hawaii State House and Senate candidates in the upcoming 2020 primary election.