The @MLTSinHawaii Newsletter
May 2020
11,000 Downloads!
When Ryan Ozawa and I designed and built the What School Could Be in Hawaiʻi podcast we hoped, but never really thought, we would get a serious following. Yet with two episodes to go in Season One we have rocketed over 11,000 downloads in 37 countries. Amazing! People are listening as far south as Argentina and South Africa, as far north as Finland and Russia and as far east as Korea and China. My huge thanks to the team that made this series happen, especially my middle school editors, Mei and Marlon at Hawk Media Productions.
On June 2 & 3, 2020, ʻAha Kūkā will present “Kani Ka Pū,” a special distance learning summit for public, private, and charter school educators and education leaders. This interactive virtual summit is a call to reflect on distance learning journeys during our COVID-19 response; we will identify innovations in virtual teaching, learning, and leading, and articulate educator needs as Hawaiʻi moves forward. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from renowned education change agents/activists and will participate in facilitated breakout sessions designed to find “cutting edges” in teaching and learning. This is an opportunity to define what school could be; what school must be in Hawaiʻi. During the event all attendees will be expected to share specific examples related to the lessons they have learned about education, teaching, and learning during the last few months of distance learning. 
Connecting Hawaiʻi Educators Through Social Media
#808Educate
M usic Jedi educator, Zach Morita at Niu Valley Middle writes: We have organized a special Facebook livestream concert dedicated to Hawai'i educators on Sunday, May 3rd (4-6PM). To submit song requests, dedications, and shout-outs to Hawaiʻi educators click on the button! The event will only be as special as the people who are a part of it. Please take a moment to recognize our charter, private, and public school educators at #808Educate.  
Education Cheat Sheet: Managing Screen Time During the Coronavirus
During this Covid-19 crisis, screen time has become a major concern for parents at home coping with the stress of distance learning, their jobs and businesses. This article, by Mid-Pacific Institute's Leigh Fitzgerald, is the best reflection on the topic I have read to date.
COVID-19 Crisis Disrupts College Plans
Written by a graduating senior at Waipahu High School, this piece captures what's happening in the minds and hearts of students whose lives have been upended by Covid-19. I am so happy that Hawaiʻi Business Magazine is doing this series at this moment. Student voice!
Silver Lining for Learning, with Yong Zhao and Friends
Silver Linings for Learning, which happens every Saturday at 5:30PM EST, 11:30AM Hawaiʻi time, is the best ongoing national conversation around progressive education, IMHO. It is thoughtful, focused, "chat rich" and very worthy of an hour of your time.
# attitudeofgratitude !
I am blessed to collaborate with so many amazing educators in Hawai'i. Mahalo friends, for all the conversations and events that have revealed so much about #whatschoolcouldbe. 2020 is just the beginning! ~ Josh