Education leaders–principals, vice principals, and administrators of private and public schools–from Kapolei and surrounding areas met today for “Working Together as a Community” at Island Pacific Academy. This gathering was the first of what will be a series of meetings to promote collaboration both within the educational community and with the businesses and state entities around them. Representatives from the Department of Education, the legislature, the Kapolei Library, and a community magazine publisher also attended.
Robert Witt, whose involvement in education spans over 40 years, was the keynote speaker at the “Working Together as a Community” meeting.
Robert Witt, retired Executive Director of the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools (HAIS), was the keynote speaker at the breakfast gathering. “Today, we open the door to a new opportunity,” Witt said, as he commended the administrators of IPA in their effort to bring community leaders together. “Schools are the most powerful force for good in our society. It’s a mutual responsibility to share ideas so that our students can benefit from this. We need to leverage the collective wisdom of this group, realizing that everyone here has something to share.”
“We’re looking at the businesses and consortiums that have huge footprints in our community. How can they support education? We’re looking at the state legislature as well,” said Gerald Teramae, IPA Head of School. “Education is everybody’s responsibility.”
Attendees at the meeting share ideas. Kau’i Nakamoto – Kapolei High School (back to camera at left); Michelle Hashimoto – American Cancer Society; Megan Kawatachi – Iolani School; Representative Sharon Har – House District 42; Molly Ripton – IPA Admissions Director; Ed Oshiro – Ewa Makai Middle School; Linda Hang, IPA Elementary Vice Principal; Ofelia Reed – Iroquois Point Elementary; Eileen Novak – IPA Summer Session Director (back to camera at right).
The three dozen attendees worked in small groups to discuss the needs of their organizations and what they could offer their educational partners. Notes from all of the groups will be compiled to create an action list for the next meeting. Future meetings will move from school to school as a way for leaders at one school to get know other campuses better.
Ideas and suggestions for working together were written down at each group table.
