"The Guardian Project: Advocate, Protect, Empower"

Joining the What School Could Be global community was probably one of the best things I did as an educator. That on-line community is where I connect with like-minded individuals who reimagine education to meet the needs of our students and to have discussions that can result in improved teaching and learning.  I have "met" and engaged virtually with incredible educators who are doing the hard work, making changes in their classrooms and schools that engage and inspire their students. It is amazing to sit in a Zoom meeting and to see, hear, and feel the excitement of educators and students from around the world. 

One of the educators I have met and hosted on my "Elevating Teacher Voice" program on the What School Could Be community is Robert Landau. He read his blog, "A Hippocratic Oath for the Education Sector" which led to a lively discussion. Robert clearly exemplifies the kind of educational leadership we need today to equip our students with the skills they will need in the future.

Robert recently contacted me; he wanted to have a conversation. He and I have something in common; we both have grandchildren, and we are concerned about the world and the problems we are leaving them. Robert is embarking on a new endeavor which will be launching shortly, and he wanted to get my feedback "The Guardian Project" is a grassroots movement of educators, schools, and people like me who care about the future. Students and teachers from schools in different parts of the world will have the potential to communicate, to collaborate, and to share ideas on projects that impact them. These projects will focus on big issues like the environment and stewardship for future genrations; health and well-being for all;  community and civic responsibility; and creating sustainable and ethical economies. Imagine what kind of  impact a project could have when young people realize that despite living in different parts of the country or the world, they face similar problems and can collaborate to find a solution. 

I've been thinking a lot recently about the state of our country and our planet.  My younger self used to think of our world as a giant patchwork quilt, each individual piece adding to its beauty and comfort. I know this is a Pollyanna viewpoint; we are much too divided as communities, as a nation, and as a world. But imagine if our youth could be the problem-seekers and problem-finders, the ones who realize that only by working together can we create a better world for future generations. Our world is huge and diverse, but with the technology that is available today, we are much more connected than at any other time in history. And the problems that exist in Hawai`i where I live - like climate change and the environment, economic inequity, food insecurity, and homelessness - are nationwide and worldwide concerns as well. 

I have blogged about how our education systems need to change to meet the challenges of a changing world. Too often, learning in school is merely memorizing and regurgitating information. Students are often passive learners as opposed to being passionate, self-directed learners whose curiosity about a subject drive their own learning. Real learning means applying skills or facts to delve deeper, to make sense of information, and the application to new situations. I look forward to seeing students grow and thrive, and "The Guardian Project" can provide them with the support and validation they need to make this world better for future generations.

"We don't inherit this world from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children." This Native American quote is one of my favorites. We have many problems in our world today, but our children are much more aware of the challenges we face. Giving them the tools they need to be collaborative problem-finders and problem-solvers is what "The Guardian Project" is about.

I will sign up to be a Guardian. Will you?

What Does the Future Hold for Our Young People?

Our first grandson starts college this year. He and his family are traveling across the state today to get him settled in. The years went by much too quickly.

I reflected on my own college experience. I graduated high school in 1969 and attended the University of Hawai`i. Tuition was about $187 per semester. and living in a dormitory was affordable. I made new friends, got an on-campus job, worked during the summer, and learned to manage my time and money. I am hoping our grandson has similar experiences as he spreads his wings.

But times have changed. Today, the cost of a college education is unaffordable for many students and their families. There are programs which could lessen the burden on families such as loans, grants-in-aid, free community college, and dual high school/college classes.  These aids can be helpful to families, but often, students still need to take out loans in order to attend college. 

Perhaps a greater challenge for incoming college students, though, is deciding what to major in. When I went to college, I was determined to become a teacher. I was fortunate to be accepted to the College of Education and was able to secure a teaching job when I graduated. At that time, education was the most popular college major , but today, it's down to 5% or less of the graduates amidst a huge teacher shortage. Today's college students have many more options, and teaching is not a career path for most when there are many more college majors available today. 

During my years as a teacher and school principal, I continued to follow trends in education. I believed in the use of technology in classrooms so students could explore, discover, create, and share. Students learned with and from each other, and they taught each other as well. In fact, I often learned new technology tools from the students and teachers I worked with. 

I remember that back in 2013, coding was a new buzzword in education. I wrote an op-ed piece about coding that was published in the local paper. I read articles and watched videos about coding and the importance of students learning to code. I shared  this video with President Obama at a parent-child activity night about the importance of learning to code. Unfortunately, in most schools, coding didn't take off  and technology was only used as a tool to supplement the curriculum, not as a means to engage learners through collaboration, problem-solving, or creating. 

Today, 12 years have passed, and learning to code has lost importance as an essential skill for students to learn. No longer are coders in high demand. As this article shares, those students graduating with Computer Science degrees are having great difficulty in finding jobs. Artificial Intelligence can code much more quickly than a person, and despite the promise of a high-paying job after getting a degree, that is just not happening for Computer Science majors. Technology is advancing rapidly these days, and workers are not needed when AI can do the job faster and more cost-efficiently. Law clerks? Medical transcribers? Architect interns? Customer service representatives? These jobs could be done more quickly and efficiently using AI as opposed to paying workers. 

Our universities and institutes of higher learning are adapting to our changing world. Our K-12 schools must similarly adapt. Unfortunately, most K-12 schools have changed very little since the Industrial Age when schools were designed to prepare students for factory work: a standardized curriculum, a teacher at the front of the room who expected obedience from the students, students divided into classes by age; a school day structured to replicate the factories students were being prepared to work in. 

Our world is changing rapidly and our children are growing up in a much-different world today. They are digital users from the time they are toddlers, and schools need to change the way we view our students as learners. We underestimate their ability to learn on their own or with their peers. School could be more relevant if we allowed our students more flexibility in what they learn, who they learn with, and how they share what they learned with an audience of their peers as well as the community. 

This video was made in 2019, a mere 6 years ago. I was amazed when I first viewed it and I wonder how much more advanced our world has become since then. I wonder how our children who are just entering college will fare when they graduate four years from now. Will what they studied be applicable? Will they be able to find a job that pays a living wage? Will they be saddled with a huge loan which requires them to work more than one job in order to pay the bills? Will they have to go back to college to get another degree so they can find employment? Will they use social media to share their message as content creators or influencers? Will they decide to follow their passion and create art or music or literature for others to enjoy? Will they become entrepreneurs, creating a business or service that addresses the needs and wants of a changing world? 

In four short years, our grandson will graduate from college. Whether he can get a job could depend on the state of our country and the world in the next few years.It's up to all of us to give hope to our young people so they can achieve their dreams. Let’s work together to reimagine a world that is joyful, one that engages our youth and encourages them to be problem-seekers and problem-solvers, and gives them the tools to be self-directed, creative and critical thinkers who can make a difference in this world. I have faith in our young people. They are much more aware of the challenges in the world they are inheriting and they are determined to make a difference. Let's support them. 

"Choose Kind"

In my recent post (To the Recent Graduates) I asked our graduates to "Choose kind" - If we all choose to be kind to others, the world would definitely be a better place. Treat others with respect; this is what is lacking in the current administration."

Unfortunately, 'choosing kind' is not as simple as it sounds. Every day, we see videos and read articles about disrespectful behavior in our country, starting with our 'leaders' in the nation's capital. The name-calling, put-downs, insults, intimidation, bullying, disrespect for others, and their lack of empathy and civility are captured 24-7 on news stations and social media sites.  Their words can incite division and inflame racial, religious, or cultural tensions. Rather than addressing the issues which impact our country, they choose to spread misinformation. They refuse to conduct respectful discussions with those they disagree with, discussions which could lead to a compromise and would benefit our citizens. And they have no empathy for those who are most vulnerable - the sick, the poor, the homeless, the disabled, the elderly, and immigrants who only want a better life in our country. These 'leaders' are setting a poor example for our young people.

Our schools could and should be a microcosm of society, a place where students learn to connect with and respect the diversity and background of their classmates as well as the history of our country, where we've been and where we need to go in the future. Students should be critical and empathetic thinkers, able to navigate their world, one which has evolved and will continue to evolve over their lifetime. Unfortunately, though, schools have become political hotbeds where teachers are often told what to teach and how to teach. Book bans, DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) issues, whitewashing the history of our country, gender inequity, tensions between individual freedoms and collective responsibility - these issues point out the division in our schools which mirror the division within our society today.

Back in 2017, I wrote this as part of a blog, and it is perhaps even more applicable to what is happening today in the chaos in our country: I think it all can be traced back to respect . . . or more accurately, a lack of respect. As parents, we teach our children to be respectful, and in school, mutual respect is expected. "Treat others the way you would like to be treated."  As school leaders, we have a responsibility to lead with respect. We know that a positive school culture is essential for student learning. We want our staff, our parents, and our students to feel that they can make suggestions or share their ideas. We know that listening to different viewpoints can only make the discussion richer and ideas to flow more readily. We value diversity of opinions, and we want students to ask tough questions because that can lead to deeper learning. Listening and respecting other viewpoints, elements in a positive school culture, are essential if we want our students to learn and grow as informed and contributing citizens of this world.

If we want a better world in the future, we need to focus on our young people because as the Native American quote says, “We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children.” Our children are our best hope for the future, and our schools need to be firm in their commitment to teaching and learning that values the sharing of ideas, honest discourse, and the understanding that it’s okay to disagree. After all, our ideas can change as we go through life.

Schools need to model kindness and respect, and students need opportunities to contribute positively to their family, their school, and their community. This needs to be a priority, as important as academics, especially in middle and high schools where we often see challenging behaviors that mirror what we are seeing on mainstream or social media. We want students who are empathetic, who have strategies to deal with conflicts, who treat others with respect and concern, who are kind, and who care about the world they will inherit.  Our students today will be the leaders we need tomorrow to heal our fractured nation.

In these challenging times, choosing kindness is one of the most powerful ways we can connect, heal, and build a better future together.

To the Recent Graduates

Our grandson graduated from high school recently, and he will be attending college in the fall. We have watched him grow from a baby to a fine young man; the time has passed so quickly. What awaits him in the future? Frankly, I am concerned about the country and the world he will now be navigating as an adult.

I graduated from high school in 1969. It was a tumultuous time in our nation’s history with a president who was elected on a “law and order” ticket who would, a few years later, resign in disgrace.  The Civil Rights movement suffered from a leadership void after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. the previous year.  Through my years as a college student, our country was involved in an unpopular war in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Eventually, over 55,000 young Americans lost their lives in that war. Students held anti-war protests on college campuses, and when the National Guard was called in at Kent State, shots were fired, killing 4 and wounding 9 students. 1969 was the year of Woodstock, the iconic music festival that attracted approximately 400,000 people with a huge lineup of performers, and an abundance of drugs. 1969 was also the year that our country landed a man on the moon. 

Back then, we didn’t have cell phones or immediate 24/7 access to television news. I lived in a dorm on campus, and we had a small TV in the lounge on the first floor. Watching the nightly news was not on our agenda. Back then, I believed that politicians and elected officials had our best interests at heart. I was trusting but also poorly informed. 

Over the years, my trust in our political leaders has been shattered many times, but never as clearly as in the past few months with this President and his administration. (Read Chasing Marbles here.) And it’s getting worse.  The good news is that people are not taking this administration’s actions lightly. They are fighting back. Millions of people in over 2000 cities in our country participated in the “No Kings” Protest today. Groups are mobilizing to fight back against authoritarianism and a President who behaves like a king when our country was founded as a constitutional democracy. All of us - ordinary citizens - have a responsibility to vote to elect those who will make the best decisions on our behalf. We can be part of the solution.

What we’re seeing on the news can be frightening, but we are not helpless. Ordinary citizens and organizations are banning together and we are making a difference. My husband and I are part of a growing organization called Hawai`i Coalition for Civil Rights, composed of a diverse group of concerned citizens. We share concerns about how the President’s actions impact those in our State and plan how to ensure that our residents are supported. I’m hoping we can get our young people involved as well; after all, it is their future that is being impacted by today’s actions. 

I have hope that our young people are better prepared than I was when I graduated from high school. After all, they weathered a pandemic and learned to navigate new technology with more confidence than most adults. They can share opinions on matters that they are interested in. They have many more professional options about what they aspire to in their future. As these recent high school graduates begin adulting, here is my advice to them (not in any particular order):

• Know your values and what you believe in. This is your guiding light, your moral compass, and your reason for your choices in life.
• Choose kind. If we all choose to be kind to others, the world would definitely be a better place. Treat others with respect; this is what is sorely lacking in this Administration. 
• Be adaptable. Our world is changing rapidly so you will need to adapt as well. Ask questions. Learn new skills. Try new ideas. Flexibility is essential to survive in today’s world. 
• Make connections, be curious, and keep learning. You are entering a space that is new and sometimes scary whether it is continuing your education, getting a job, joining the military, starting a business, or something else. What you learn today can impact you in the future. Don't hold yourself back. Be a lifelong learner.
• Take care of yourself. This means taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional health. You can’t take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself first. 
• Make a difference. Your actions can help to create a better future for others in this world where we are all interconnected.
• Be informed. Know what is going on in your community, your state, the country, and the world. There is no excuse for not being informed when we have access to information all day, every day.
• Use your voice.  Your voice matters. Register to vote. Volunteer. Get involved. 
• Make time to explore and discover new ideas and new passions. Be a lifelong learner. 

One of my favorite quotes is from Mother Teresa: “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” There’s so much to see, to hear, to learn, to discover, to create. 

You have the capacity to make this world a better place. Create ripples. 

Reading is Essential so Why Are We Facing a Literacy Crisis?

 Yesterday’s Star-Advertiser honored National Teacher Appreciation Week by presenting columns by three Hawai`i educators about teaching. I was especially interested in the column written by Brooke Nasser, a teacher at Kalani High School titled, “Literacy: When reading ends, learning ends.” 

After reading Ms. Nasser’s piece, I decided it’s time to reshare one that I wrote back in February 2024. As an early childhood educator and an elementary school principal, I view reading and literacy as an essential building block if we want our students to be life-long learners. Here is the blog; it’s as relevant today as it was when I wrote it. 

Why Aren’t Kids Reading for Pleasure?

I loved reading when I was growing up. That was my go-to out-of-school activity. I didn’t play sports (no Title IX back then); our family didn’t have the means to send us to music or dance lessons; art was a stressful activity for me; and frankly, I enjoyed reading. But looking back, I realize that the books I was reading were nothing like my own life or experiences. I was an outsider, looking in on a life that was so different from mine as a fourth-generation Japanese-American girl growing up on a pineapple plantation village in Hawai`i.

Back in 2020, I wrote a blog about students being able to see themselves and to see others in the books we were reading. I wish I could tell my professor, Dr. Mary Reddin, that she made a huge difference in my life as an educator when we agreed that I would research and compile a list of multicultural books that I could read with my students. I think she already knew that very few were available for the preschoolers I taught but she wanted me to discover that for myself. That project made me much more aware, throughout my teaching career, of the need for students to see themselves and their classmates in our classroom library. 

But that wasn't enough. Books also need to be "Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Doors" According to this article, "Books become sliding glass doors when readers feel transported into the world of the story and when they feel empathy for the characters." This is especially true for students in the middle grades where research shows a decline in teens who read for pleasure. (Article here.) There are other benefits as well; a recent study showed that kids who enjoy reading are better-adjusted and they tended to score higher on tests. 

So why aren't our students reading more? I believe that one barrier is that many schools have decided to eliminate the librarian position as part of a cost-cutting measure or to purchase other positions. I think this has led to a decline in students reading for enjoyment. I am especially concerned for our schools here in Hawai`i where the number of trained school librarians has shrunk from 250 back in 2004 to 84 when this article was written in 2022. (Article here.) 

A school librarian can be an essential resource at the school. Our librarian did so much for our school and our students and their families. (Article here) What I especially admired about her was her knowledge of the latest books that were published (I’m not sure when she found the time to read them all) as well as her awareness of what was going on in the lives of our students. She knew their interests and could recommend books she thought they might enjoy. We want students to read especially when there are many books available for them, books that can provide insight about others, books that are not just mirrors and windows, but sliding glass doors as well. 

Why aren’t kids reading for pleasure? Some will blame technology or their short attention spans. That may be true, but I think another reason is that in school, teachers are focusing on the standards and test scores, and reading to students is no longer a priority. I’ve heard teachers say that there’s no time to read aloud to their kids even if it’s something they and their students love. I say that teachers need to make time if it’s something they feel is important. Stories provide an opportunity for students to listen attentively, to discuss and ask questions, to learn new words and information, to make connections to their own lives, and to enjoy quiet time. And as the research shows, students who read more actually do better on those high-stakes tests. 

The books I read when I was in the middle grades are probably no longer on the book shelves in the library. But there are new books to read which tackle relevant issues and problems our kids are facing as they grow up in this ever-changing world. There are multicultural characters who tackle problems or who face discrimination which young readers may relate to. These books are written by authors who may have lived the experiences they are writing about. As readers, these books can be mirrors, windows, or sliding glass doors, all of which are perspectives which our young people can ponder and benefit from. Let's make reading for pleasure a priority in our schools!

Other blogs I've written about reading with students:

It's More than a Place to Borrow Books

A Plan Going Forward: Improving Literacy at Hale Kula

"Choose Kind"

It's More than a Place to Borrow Books 2017

Learning to Read or Loving to Read?

"Mirrors and Windows"

Fantastical Imaginarium Goodnight Moon Book Study

Teaching Reading is More than Teaching Skills

Chasing Marbles

People are angry about what is happening to our country in the past 2+ months since the new administration took office. Thousands of federal workers including veterans have lost their jobs. Funds for Social Security, Medicare, and the Internal Revenue Service have been cut.  The Department of Education will likely be closed down. Federal buildings across the nation have been shuttered. Immigrants who were in our country legally have been deported.  Universities and school districts are being told to eliminate any mention of  Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Funding to states for tracking infectious diseases and providing mental health services was cut. And the latest - huge tariffs were imposed on countries that do business with our country, causing a trade war. This is just the tip of the iceberg.  Since taking over on January 20, 2025, the President has signed 111 executive orders. My husband says “It’s like dropping a sack of marbles on the floor and trying to decide which ones to pick up first. “

My very simple explanation is that those who are taking away basic rights from ordinary American citizens have no empathy. They cannot put themselves into another person’s shoes so they just do what they want to without thinking of the consequences for everyday people like us. They don’t care who they are hurting as long as they’re not being hurt. And they’re not. 

But we have empathy, and there is hope. On Saturday, April 5, 20205, millions of people in 150 cities around the country and the world protested as part of “Hands Off!” This was a movement to stop the assault on our government, our economy, our schools, and our basic human rights that our current administration has imposed on our people. “Hands Off” is a unifying message that allows anyone to be a part of this protest. Another one is planned for April 19, and hopefully, the numbers of participants will continue to grow.  (See photos of the event  here.) 

We, the people, need to continue to be involved. We cannot be complacent. We cannot give up. We need to share our message of unity and caring for others. This protest is symbolic of our individuality with a common message that we can all agree on: Hands Off! 

Although we are all individuals with different experiences and backgrounds,  we all share a common goal: to make this world a better place for everyone, no matter their ethnicity, their socio-economic status, their strengths, their challenges, or where they came from. Each individual adds to the richness and beauty of our world, and our actions impact others.  Let’s stop chasing marbles and work together for the good of all. 

“Everyone is Welcome Here”

Living in a racially diverse state - Hawaii - I am puzzled and angered that Trump and his administration are eliminating policies and deleting words from federal websites and documents because they have identified words that are “woke.”  (See article about the words that are disappearing in the new administration here.) Advocacy? At risk? Barriers? Belong? Bias? Black? Breastfeed? Clean energy? Climate crisis? Community diversity? Cultural heritage? Disabilities? These are just a fraction of the list of hundreds of words that are flagged by the present administration in federal websites and communications. As a retired educator, I am concerned and outraged. Since the end of January, the federal government is taking our country backwards with its actions to eliminate DEI including in the Department of Education. (Press Release)

It's also happening throughout the federal government. For example, last week, we learned that the U.S. Army had wiped the 100th/442nd combat units off its website due to DEI.  (See article here.) These and other similar actions of the Trump Administration are attempting to rewrite history by claiming DEI. Many of us were outraged; the 100th/442nd units were among the most decorated units during World War II, made up primarily of Japanese-American citizens who volunteered to fight for our country. The bravery of these soldiers was especially significant because at the same time, their fellow Japanese - 150,000 of them, many of them US citizens - were taken from their homes and livelihoods and sent to internment camps. After the flurry of activity from ordinary citizens like us, the U. S. Army restored the 100th Battalion/442nd Infantry website. Thank you to all those who shared their outrage in the media, on social media platforms, and with calls or emails to their Congressional delegation. But the fight is not over. Blacks and women are being scrubbed on the Arlington website. Navajo code talkers were taken off military websites after Trump’s Executive Order. Who is next?

In January, the Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Linda Fagan was fired. (See article here.) She was the first female in uniform to lead a military branch and the reasons for her dismissal were questionable. Most likely, Trump viewed Ms. Fagan’s hire as part of “woke” culture; clearly in his mind and the minds of his supporters, a female military leader is inferior to a male military leader. It is likely that they believe that females in the military are not equal to males. They believe that “a woke military is a weak military.” In this day and age, that kind of thinking is appalling. Since 2013, women have been allowed to serve in combat duty alongside male soldiers, and some have died and others have been severely injured. Senator Tammy Duckworth was serving as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot when it was  hit by rocket-propelled grenade fired by Iraqi insurgents. She lost both of her legs and partial mobility in her right arm. She, like Linda Fagan, are examples of strong military women. We need a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive military, and that includes women in combat and women in leadership positions. 

As an educator, I am concerned for our schools, our school staff, and our students. The U.S. Department of Education posted this memo about taking action to eliminate DEI. I have no idea what they mean by “divisive ideology in our schools” or “the Department works to end discrimination based on race and the use of harmful race stereotypes, both within the agency and throughout America’s educational system.” The fact is, our schools are diverse, equitable, and inclusive. DEI recognizes and values differences in people, ensures fair treatment and equal opportunities, and fosters an environment where everyone is treated fairly and can participate fully. The purpose of public education in our country ensures that every student, no matter their needs or their challenges, has the opportunity to succeed to become contributing and productive members of society.  That is not “woke” as the present administration claims. 

I read an article about Sarah Inama, a middle school teacher in Idaho who was told to remove welcome signs in her classroom that were considered "controversial," and I thought to myself, "What the heck?" Clearly this teacher cares about her students and wants them to feel welcome in her classroom. Teachers spend time (and money) to make their classrooms welcoming for their students, especially those who may be marginalized. As a teacher of middle school-aged students, diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) are very important in Sarah's classroom. The message is not just for Sarah and her students, however. It's for ALL students and their classmates in every classroom. It’s for ALL of us who are citizens of this country. What is it about DEI that scares the Trump administration? I applaud Sarah for standing her ground. Every classroom should be sharing a message of inclusivity and diversity. 

 

This is one of the posters that Sarah Inama was asked to remove from her classroom. 

Educators and students across the country are getting involved and are protesting the Trump Administration’s elimination of DEI policies for being “woke." They are also protesting the massive cuts to the Department of Education which will impact schools throughout the country and in Department of Defense schools. These cuts will have a huge impact on schools, districts, and states which rely on these funds to support ALL students including those who require special education services, who rely on Title I funds for disadvantaged students, or who are English Language Learners. These funds ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion in our schools. As Randi Weingarten shares in this op-ed, "We are at a crossroads: Fear and division, or hope and opportunity. A great nation does not fear people being educated. A great nation does not fear pluralism. A great nation chooses freedom, democracy, equality and opportunity. All of that starts in our public schools."

Let's fight for the rights of every student to feel welcome at school and in their classrooms so they can achieve to their fullest potential. 

Time to Advocate for Public Education

First they came for the Communists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Communist

Then they came for the Socialists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Socialist

Then they came for the trade unionists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a trade unionist

Then they came for the Jews

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Jew

Then they came for me

And there was no one left

To speak out for me

Pastor Martin Niemöller

As a lifelong educator and school leader, I know that our country needs an informed citizenry so we can address the many challenges which our world faces, now and in the future. Public education  provides every child with opportunities to learn and to succeed and to be productive and contributing members of society regardless of their gender, race, socioeconomic status, or religion. Every child, even those with special needs, deserves that opportunity. That is what Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is about - including every child and providing a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) so they can succeed. 

With the new administration in Washington, D.C., we are experiencing questionable executive orders such as the termination of federal workers, no birthright citizenship (which is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment), tariffs on goods from other countries that threaten the livelihood of American businesses, termination of DEI, and most concerning to me as an educator, threatening to close the Department of Education. The claim that "the U.S. is dead last" on test scores is not supported by facts. 

School districts are scrambling to figure out how to provide funding for special education, Title I which serves students from low-income households, English Language Learner programs, and teacher professional learning opportunities. Additionally, the federal DOE provides Pell Grants, making it possible for students from low-income households to attend college. 

In the best possible scenario, it would be the public schools, the staff, students, and families who would be leading the charge against the termination of the federal Department of Education. 

But, I am afraid we haven't done a very good job of educating our students to believe that they can be change agents. This is their education. They should be concerned, they should be discussing this in class, and they should be spurred to action. After all, our public schools are a microcosm of society, and our elected leaders need to realize that though they may not yet be of voting age, our students' time will come and they will be more aware of the issues and the need to vote. Imagine the administration and Congress in D.C. being inundated with letters from students. Maybe on a specific day throughout the country, students and families could march in favor of public education. Wouldn't that send a message?

Unfortunately, though, public schools are under scrutiny in many areas which has led to teacher anxiety. Discussions involving sensitive or controversial topics such as race relations, gender identity, or climate change can lead to a teacher's dismissal. Book bans in communities are not uncommon, and although it is illegal to fire someone for being LGBTQ, teachers can feel unsupported and may be compelled to resign for their own mental health. Schools or teachers in these areas may face backlash for participating in peaceful protests even if their survival depends on the federal Department of Education providing funding to their schools. 

Martin Niemöller, a Lutheran pastor, wrote the poem above after he was arrested in 1937 and spent several years in concentration camps. He originally was a Nazi supporter but became critical of their interference into church matters. This poem is, I believe, a stern reminder to all of us that we need to speak up if we believe something is not right. We are in a critical time in our country's history. We have touted ourselves to the rest of the world as the land of opportunity where anyone can achieve "the American Dream," The truth is that many groups are still marginalized and lack a voice to speak for themselves. Our children are our future, and if we don't speak up now, we could rob them of the opportunities to achieve their dreams for a better tomorrow. They depend on us. Let's all speak up and ensure that the federal Department of Education is NOT eliminated by this administration. 

Visionary Leadership for the Future

As a 70-something senior citizen who has lived her entire life here in Hawai`i, I have witnessed many changes in our State. Areas that were once pineapple or sugar cane fields are now homes or thriving communities. We grapple with issues like the high cost of living, rising sea levels, the lack of affordable housing, traffic woes, and the shortage of quality jobs for our young people.  Projects take much longer to get done here and often go way over budget. Rail and Aloha Stadium are prime examples.

But there is a ray of hope. Community leaders have known for awhile that we need to diversify our economy as we continue into the future. One major decision made in the late 1980’s was to direct growth to the Leeward side of O`ahu and to build what is now the Second City of Kapolei. This area which was once covered in sugar cane is now a thriving community with homes, schools, shopping centers, recreation activities, and government offices. The Legislature then identified West O`ahu as the preferred site for a university campus which would be central to that community. The State purchased land to build a University of Hawai`i West O`ahu (UH-WO) campus which would serve the educational needs of the growing population. In 2012, the campus officially opened in Kapolei.

Earlier this week, I was invited to visit the Academy for Creative Media at UH-WO, the latest state-of-the-art facility on their campus.  We were hosted by Chancellor Maenette K.P. Ah Née-Benham, Vice Chancellor David McDonald and  Chris Lee. Mr. Lee is a very successful and respected leader in the film industry who is the founder and director of the University of Hawai`i Academy for Creative Media. The facilities at UH-WO are impressive and state-of-the-art, preparing students for good-paying jobs that are in high demand today - game development, film-making, web design, communication arts, e-sports, digital archiving, and other fields which are still evolving.  Students also have the opportunity, through this program, to share their stories with a wider audience; for too long, many of their voices were silenced. More impressive is that all ten campuses in the University of Hawai`i system now have creative media programs. 

Vice Chancellor McDonald shared that graduates of the UH-WO Creative Media program are being hired for good-paying positions in Hawai`i and other parts of the country and the world. The median starting salary is also higher than graduates at other colleges in the University of Hawai`i system. Many of the local high school students, including those at Waianae High School’s Searider Productions, are in the Early College program, earning dual high school and college credits, and preparing for their futures. 

We need forward-thinking leaders - legislators, government officials, educators, industry experts - to commit support such as funding, mentoring, and opportunities for our students so they can thrive in creative media. In the past decade alone, we have seen a surge in streaming services, video platforms like TikTok, an increase in podcasts, a rise in the number of social influencers on social media, and phones that are essentially mini-computers. It is hard for me to fathom what the next iteration will bring because change is happening so quickly. 

When I was a principal at an elementary school, I was constantly amazed by the abilities of our young students to use technology confidently to share their learning. I remember walking past a second grade classroom where the students wanted to share their public service announcement, created in about 30 minutes, using a free app they had just been introduced to. Their teacher said she had spent her weekend creating a PSA with that app; the kids figured it out on their own. Other students were programming robots, creating videos and websites, building communities in Minecraft, blogging, building their own games, and learning to code. 

We cannot wait for adults to figure things out. Instead of putting barriers in their way, let’s support our students and give them the tools they need to be the creative problem-solvers we need to address the many challenges in our world today. 

The success of the University of Hawai`i West O`ahu Academy for Creative Media shows how, by working together, we can create an innovative, highly-successful program where our students are provided with the tools and gain the skills that are sought after in the world today. The $37 million it cost to build the state-of-the art facility at UH-WO is just the beginning. There are plans to expand the Academy with a film studio and to build housing and retail facilities surrounding the campus. These are exciting plans, and it is my hope that all of us - the community, legislators, the University of Hawai`i, businesses, and educators - rally and support these future plans. This is an opportunity to be visionary, forward-thinkers. We cannot sit on our hands and wait for someone else to take the lead. Our kids deserve a future filled with possibilities where they can make a positive impact in their community, in our state, our country, and the world through creative media. Imua!

I am grateful that I was invited along with two of my educator friends to join in the visit to the University of Hawai`i West O`ahu Academy for Creative Media. From left, Senator Carol Fukunaga, Vice Chancellor David McDonald, former Senator Randy Iwase, and Founder and Director of the UH Academy for Creative Media System Chris Lee

“The Times They are A-Changin”

These are challenging times for schools, and with apologies to Bob Dylan, yes, “the times they are a’changin.’” I’ve been retired as a school leader for over six years now, and it’s hard for me to fathom the changes that have taken place in our world. In those six short years, we experienced a worldwide pandemic, Zoom became a household word, natural disasters and climate change continue to cause havoc in our world, and artificial intelligence has burst into our lives, enabling a computer or robot to perform tasks that, in the past, were reserved for humans. Additionally, our world has become increasingly divisive, and schools are confronted with challenges including the banning of books and curriculum content, an increase in school violence, the disparity in access to resources including those for struggling students, and staffing shortages that negatively impact communities, especially those in high-poverty areas.

Schools are essential to communities and have a huge impact on its citizens. We know that school can be the one constant in a child's life, the one safe place where problems are sometimes forgotten for a few hours in a day. We need to make that time meaningful. Too often, school is seen as irrelevant to students. I recently had a conversation with two high schoolers, and they were frank. They felt that often, teachers don’t care about their students; they felt the personal interactions were often lacking in their classes. “If teachers don’t start caring and making their lessons interesting for us, then AI will replace them,” they agreed. 

Real learning means applying skills or facts to delve deeper, to ask questions, to research multiple sources to find answers, to make sense of information, to discuss differing opinions with their peers, and to gain skills that can be applied to new situations. This would be a major shift for schools, but if we want our students to be self-directed learners and complex thinkers, schools must shift to a more-relevant curriculum that engages and prepares them to be contributing members of society. Presently, with so many multi-media resources available, our young people are independently exploring topics and engaging in conversations about their interests outside of school -  sports, pop entertainment, politics, fashion, creative arts, video games, and so much more. 

Today, Dr. Mark Hines shared his blog, “Creating Joyful Schools: A New Vision for Engaged Learning” on the “What School Could Be” global community, and a meaningful discussion followed. This was a great time - the start of a new year and a new semester - to remind educators about the real purpose of school as a place where students explore, discover, create, and share to make a difference for their community. Included in Dr. Hines’ blog was this graphic which I think should be posted in every classroom to remind us of what education could and should be.  

Our world is changing rapidly and our children are growing up in a much-different world today. They are digital users from the time they are toddlers, and schools need to change the way we view our students as learners. We underestimate their ability to learn on their own. School could be more relevant if we allowed our students more flexibility in what they learn, who they learn with, and how they share what they learned with an audience of their peers as well as the community. 

Let’s work together to reimagine education that is joyful, one that engages students, encourages them to be problem-seekers and problem-solvers, and gives them the tools to be self-directed, creative and critical thinkers who can make a difference in this world. Yes, “the times they are a-changin,’” and we who believe that education can be the key to creating a better world in the future will continue to do this work. I invite you to join us on this journey!