The externships will provide real-world experiences outside of education to benefit students
Posted: May 19, 2023
State lawmakers approved a $50,000 grant in aid request this month that will provide funds to restart an externship professional development program for educators.
The grant was awarded to the Hawaiʻi Foundation for Educators (HFE), which provides teachers with quality professional and leadership development training through the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association’s professional development program.
The revived and redesigned externship program will allow teachers to shadow professionals in a variety of fields and businesses across the state, bringing those experiences back to their classrooms. Externships will be available during fall, spring and summer breaks, with the first pilot project planned for this October. Teachers in that first group will be offered stipends, but HFE plans to redevelop a credit course so teachers will eventually have the choice of a stipend or credits for reclassification. Further details will be announced early this fall.
Logan Okita, a Nimitz Elementary response to intervention coach who serves as a member of the HFE board, is grateful for lawmakers’ support.
“Professional development helps teachers and educators in and out of the classroom to improve their craft and learn new skills and content in order to improve the learning experiences of all of our students,” Okita said.
Okita explained, “Being able to experience careers outside of education allows educators to have the background knowledge to prepare better lessons, incorporate real world experiences, and develop partnerships with others to improve the education of their students.”
HSTA Executive Director Ann Mahi thanked the chairs of the Legislature’s two money committees for approving the grant request.
“Mahalo to State Senate Ways and Means Chair Donovan Dela Cruz and House Finance Chair Kyle Yamashita for supporting our teachers with this critical professional development that will help them learn new skills to better serve their students,” Mahi said.
In April, HFE raised more than $45,000 at a concert at McKinley High School, thanks to sponsors, donations, and ticket sales, which will cover teachers’ professional development costs.
Professional development improves educators’ classroom skills and can help them reclassify, moving them higher on the salary schedule. Courses are developed by educators for educators. Educators have found this immensely helpful as they advance their careers.
The foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that accepts tax-deductible donations.