ʻImi Naʻauao
January 2021

In these challenging times the Hawaii Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (HASCD) is committed to leaning into our mission to serve as a resource to all educators of Hawaii. We are happy to share our newsletter, 'Imi Na'auao, which means to seek enlightenment, wisdom and education.
Heading into 2021, who knows what will 
our way? But we will be OK if we embrace a growth mindset.
A Teacher of the Year's struggle with anxiety opened her eyes to the stigma around educators' mental health issues.
We need to be highly resilient now —which means practicing self-care.
To truly thrive, LGBTQ educators need to feel a sense of belonging in schools.
In addition to experiencing their own primary trauma separate from the schoolyard, teachers can also feel the effects of students’ trauma during the pandemic.
Education Reflections 
with Hawaii State Teacher Fellows


Chayanee Brooks is currently teaching AP English and 11th/12th grade English at Ka’u High and Pahala Elementary school on Hawaiʻi Island. She is a strong advocate for assessments that empower student learning and success.


Eric Sheninger (@e_sheninger) shares the his views on the present and future of remote and hybrid learning.  Remote and hybrid learning at scale was never meant for K-12 education, but the fact remains that each has been a catalyst for some exciting changes that have long been overdue.

Hawaii Student Grant Opportunity

VOICE is a youth grant program designed by Hawaii public school students for public school students. Sponsored by Farmers Hawaii, K-12 students are eligible for grant awards up to $1000 to help bring their ideas for public education to life. Apply by Jan 31, 2021 at bit.ly/2020voicegrant . For more information, visit bit.ly/hivoice2020
As I reflect on 2020, I was ready for the year to be over since probably April. Hopeful for 2021 to be better, this month started and I'm still at a loss for words with what we are going through as a nation. I remain optimistic and hopeful though that 2021 will be a far better year in the months ahead. Simon Sinek put it best in his blog post - An Optimist's View Going into 2021

Within a year our nation's children have endured more events and trauma than any child should ever have to endure in their childhood. Please remember to connect and check on them. ASCD has resources for talking to students about politics, civic engagement, and uncertainty.

"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education." - Martin Luther King Jr.

May this new year bring you peace, hope, laughter and magical moments.

Sincerely yours,
President, Hawaii ASCD
Connect with me on social media @jjpball