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About Voices of Educators
Professional educators possess unique knowledge and skills that
can and must inform the conversation on the important educational
issues of the day. Until now, the professional educators of
Hawai‘i—teachers, administrators and teacher educators—have
not spoken through the media to exert leadership and influence
on these issues. Now, the leaders of the DOE, the HSTA, HGEA
(the principal’s union), the Hawai‘i Association of Independent
Schools, the Hawai‘i Teacher Standards Board, Good Beginnings Alliance, and the University
of Hawai‘i College of Education are creating a strong, united
voice for educators under the banner of the Voices of Educators.
Where to “Hear” the Voices of Educators
The Educator’s Voice has entered into an editorial
partnership with the Honolulu Advertiser to present the professional
educators’ perspective—a perspective guided by research
and best practices. Through the Honolulu Advertiser and this
website, you can access the views of Hawai‘i’s professional
educators on the key issues in education facing our state. Other
communications may take the form of position papers, reports,
editorials, and testimony to policy-making bodies
Recommendations
Recommendations of the Voices of Educators will, whenever
possible, be based on research and well-established best practices.
Recommendations will be made only in areas where there is professional
consensus. Areas of disagreement will be acknowledged and clarified.
Guiding Values
1. All students need and deserve a high-quality education to
realize the American dream of life, liberty and the pursuit
of happiness.
2. High-quality education depends on the quality of professional
educators who must possess the knowledge, skills and disposition
necessary to help all students learn.
3. The primary purpose of schooling is to develop in students
the knowledge, skills, and disposition needed for full participation
in a democratic society.
4. Whenever possible, decisions regarding education practices
must be based on research. In the absence of conclusive research,
decisions should be based on accepted best practices.
5. Educators must take the lead in constantly reinventing education
in order to improve teaching and learning.
6. As professional educators we have a responsibility to draw
on our special knowledge and skills to enhance the common good
for all of society.
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