Research indicates that teacher voices are not well represented in educational policy and change. Education has changed dramatically in a short time, and it continues to change at a fast pace. Classrooms are increasingly diverse. External standards are placed on teachers. A chorus of stakeholder voices is levied at educators, and these voices…

This qualitative, narrative inquiry study explored technology integration in a Hawaiian culture-based learning environment through teacher mo'olelo (stories) of their seven-year post-implementation reflections of a 1:1 student iPad rollout program participation. Since the adoption of the iPads took place in 2014 at Duke Elementary School, the…

As an indigenous serving institution, the University of Hawai'i (UH) serves all indigenous groups including Pacific Islander groups. Continual and practical training of emerging educational leaders at the UH is critical to the ongoing success of Hawai'i's only public post-secondary institution. Employing the oral history methodology, I examined…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how general education teachers of grades K-6 describe their experiences modeling social acceptance of students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms. The overarching research question was as follows: How do general education teachers of grades K-6 describe their experiences…

Teacher identity has emerged as a topic amongst contemporary researchers to inform, impact, and reform professional practice in light of the unique challenges presented within education in the United States. A homogeneous teaching population, which remains overwhelmingly White and middle class, must address a demographic and cultural divide…

This study investigated the influence of professional development on 20 preschool teachers' use of instructional conversations in classrooms for 2- to 5-year-old children. Instructional conversation is a small group discussion that builds on children's prior knowledge to assess and assist conceptual understanding. Over a 3-year period, the…

The special education teacher shortage prompted school districts to hire unlicensed teachers on the condition they earn their credentials on-the-job (in place). Although the benefits of traditional student teaching is well documented, little is known about how in place arrangements prepare individuals for teaching special education. Given that…

This study investigated criteria that 91 pre-service teachers used to evaluate award-winning virtual museum exhibits for future use in teaching. Individual differences affected ratings, including teaching experience, age and gender. A categorization of participants' reasons for selection included audience level, site design and information…

This chapter explores issues surrounding the demise of the Interdisciplinary Master's in Education (IMED) program, which was delivered on the neighbor islands in the state of Hawai'i. The innovative program brought educational opportunities to remote areas of the state and was a partnership between the main campus in Honolulu and several community…

An elementary teacher reflects upon 18 years of experience teaching in Hawaii, moving from understanding her own culture to awareness of and sensitivity to her students' heritage. She considers her best teaching experiences the bridge building between herself and her culture and her students and their culture. (SM)

A focus group of 5 general education schoolteachers from one rural middle school in Hawaii was conducted to investigate their perspectives on the unintended effects of including students with learning disabilities. The general education teachers were asked how the inclusion of students with learning disabilities had impacted (a) their professional…

Seven graduates of Hawaii's PETOM (Preservice Education for Teaching of Minorities) program, all of whom currently teach in or work for schools, reflect on how the PETOM experience affected their teaching. All seven report that PETOM was important because it created a strong philosophy of teaching and learning. (SM)