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Aʻo ʻĀina Professional Development Program

2024-25 Participant Application Form


PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Aʻo ʻĀina Professional Development Program, a program of Kupu and Mālama Learning Center is a professional development opportunity for DOE educators designed to expose participants to careers and topics in natural resources and grow connections between educators and community organizations.  


Aʻo ʻĀina uses a work-based learning approach to enhance educators’ knowledge of different natural resource careers and topics, with each educator's journey (~40 hours of programming) individually curated to expand on their interests and help fill their knowledge gaps.   Aʻo ʻĀina is currently accepting applications from educators based on Oʻahu.  Upon successful completion of the program, participants are awarded an ʻĀina-Based Education Certificate.


Application Deadline: December 20, 2024


Program Duration: January - May 2025


Eligible Applicants: Middle and high school educators, counselors, and/or administrators based on Oʻahu.  Preference will be given to applicants from GEAR UP schools and those that have not participated in the program before.


PROGRAM GOALS

Aʻo ʻĀina seeks to work with educators to accomplish five main goals: 

  • Expose teachers to different careers in natural resources so they are more informed and prepared to educate and excite their students about the range of natural resource careers that exist in Hawaiʻi.
  • Build connections between teachers and community partners to support future learning opportunities for students.
  • Increase teacher knowledge of natural resource topics and issues that can be integrated into their classroom curricula.
  • Develop publicly available lesson plans that increase student knowledge of natural resource careers and topics.
  • Award educators with an ʻĀina-Based Education Certificate.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Aʻo ʻĀina will include the following components: 

  • Attending a 1.5 hour Program Orientation (includes ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi key terms practice)
  • Attending at least 12 hours of in-person, hands-on community partner site visits
  • Viewing pre-recorded or attending 3 hours of post-secondary and professional panels
  • Viewing of at minimum 3 hours of presentations and webinars across 5 content categories
  • Completing survey-based reflections on program components
  • Conducting two informational interviews with NR industry professionals (estimated 2 hours)
  • Participate in an initial and final check-in with program staff (estimated 1 hour minimum)
  • Lesson plan development, demonstration, and observation alongside program staff and other cohort members
  • Participation in end of program hōʻike (estimated 4 hours)

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Before starting the application form, all applicants should visit the Aʻo ʻĀina Program website.  If you have any questions about the program or its requirements, please email us.
  2. Click “Next Page” to continue.  You can save your application and return to it later using the “Save my progress” link at the top or bottom of any page.
  3. When finished, click “Submit”.  You will need to complete your electronic signature on the Final Review page, and then verify it via an emailed link.
  4. Lastly, if you do not receive a verification email after submitting your application and online signature, please email Kupu staff to ensure all aspects of your application are received before the deadline. 

Your application will be considered incomplete until all parts have been received.  If you have any questions please contact us at aubtin.rouhbakhsh@kupuhawaii.org
Please include “Aʻo ʻĀina Application” in the subject line.
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This application will remain open until all positions are filled.
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In accordance with Federal Law, Kupu is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.  
Qualified applicants with disabilities who can perform the essential functions of the position are encouraged to apply.  Kupu is committed to making reasonable accommodations on a case-by-case basis.  

To become more sustainable, Kupu will send digital notifications regarding your application status.  If you prefer physical copies, please contact us.