The Department of Curriculum Studies and Aloha Kumu: Native Hawaiian Education and Research Hui in the College of Education (COE) launched a new master of education in curriculum studies (MEd-CS) cohort. The Aloha Kumu cohort was developed with and for teachers in Native Hawaiian communities. The program is based on a Hawaiian perspective of health, well-being, relationships, and education. As part of a cohort, teachers engage in a professional learning community and work to address their school and community issues.

“In Aloha Kumu, we model Aloha ʻĀina, Aloha Keiki, and Aloha Kumu in all aspects of the program including recruitment, design and focus, collaboration, relationships, courses, and activities,” explained program director, Dr. Kimo Cashman.

The Fall 2014 cohort, which focuses on community-based education and National Board Certification, consists of 22 teachers from Nānākuli High, Ka Waihona O Ka Na’auao Public Charter, Waiʻanae Elementary, Waiʻanae High, Mākaha Elementary, Mā‘ili Elementary, Kapolei Elementary, Kapolei Middle, Kanoelani Elementary, Waipahu High, and Ke Kula Kaiapuni ʻO Ānuenue (K–12, Hawaiian Immersion public school).

For the first time, the Aloha Kumu cohort includes teachers outside of the Leeward Coast with nine of the 22 teachers from Honolulu (Ānuenue) and Waipahu. This is part of the program’s efforts to expand its reach to other communities and schools. “Our goal is to offer leadership development, via a master’s degree, to all teachers, not only teachers of Hawaiian students,” Cashman added.