The Ka Lama Education Academy provides support services that will assist college students from the Wai'anae community in becoming teachers in their own community. The purpose for the formation of the Ka Lama Education Academly was developed because of the need to get Native Hawaiians on the Wai'anae Coast to teach within their own community because 75% of the students are of Native Hawaiian ancestry. The Education Academy is a pipeline that enables students to complete their AA degree and gain entrance into the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, College of Education sooner. This lessens the time it takes and thereby saves money and enables students to begin their teaching in the community sooner.
The Wai'anae Coast experiences high teacher turn over. With the assistance of the Education Academy, the children on the Wai'anae Coast will experience teacher consistency. The children will also have Native Hawaiian role models as teachers. The community will have more Native Hawaiian role models in the field of education.
Reflections from Education Academy Students
"The
Ka Lama Education Academy has made the transition to the College of Education
so much smoother and easier because they made sure I fulfilled all my
requirements, deadlines and set up important interviews for me. They are
also behind me 100% in pursuing my dream to teach on the Leeward Coast.
There are a lot of support and helping hands whenever I need it." Kehau
Matsushima
"The
Ka Lama Academy has helped me by offering support and encouragement in
making the transition from Community College to the University much easier.
Also by providing and advising on which courses to take to ensure that
graduation requirements are met." Loke Wakinekona
"Without
this Academy, I would never be this focused in this direction. I would
never be to the point where I am now, in the cohort. I owe this Academy
everything. The support is growing and growing. They keep you focused.
They also make you know that if there's something that you want, you're
going to get it. The support is unreal." Lawrence Ujimori
"The
Academy provides me with a lot of support. I'm very grateful for the help
I receive concerning lesson plans, advice and even computer problems."
Ruth Madeira
"Ka
Lama Academy has given me a sense of direction in the area of education
which I am pursuing. The Academy has been supportive from the very start.
The community counselor has been great in answering my questions ranging
from setting a schedule for up coming classes I need. S/he also found
dental plans available for students. I have a wonderful opportunity to
prepare for the PPST. Not only am I more aware of what to expect on the
test, I'm also learning how to go about registering for the test. No stress
thing. Thank you Ka Lama Academy, it is nice to know that you are behind
me in my efforts." Karlene Costales
"The
Ka Lama Academy has done so much for me. The community counselors have
given me a lot of support and encouragement. The Academy also has made
it an easy transition for me from LCC to the College of Education. Much
mahalo to the academy." Susima Kapoi
© Copyright 2000-2001 All Rights Reserved
Funded by the US DOE Native Hawaiian Curriculum, Teacher Training,
and Recruitment Grant
Designed and Developed by:
Ka Lama I, II and III students and R. Pi'ilani Hussey
Ka'aloa and Moku Ka'aloa