Presentation Session I

This Plan B project is a reflective self-study that explores how my personal experiences and current teaching practice shape my understanding of the role of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and Hawaiian culture in elementary education. Through reflective journaling, analysis of past educational experiences, and observations during my student teaching placement, I examine how my beliefs about language, culture, and identity influence my development as a teacher. The study focuses on how early exposure to Hawaiian language and culture, along with present classroom experiences, inform my perceptions of how ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi is incorporated and prioritized in elementary classrooms. By engaging in structured reflection throughout my student teaching experience, this project aims to better understand how culturally grounded teaching practices can support meaningful learning and contribute to the development of my teacher identity. The findings will inform my future practice as an educator committed to culturally responsive and place-based education in Hawaiʻi.