Kamehameha Schools is helping to promote careers in early childhood education through collaborations that provide University of Hawaiʻi students with hands-on experience at preschool sites. Kumu at two KS preschools on Hawaiʻi Island opened up their classrooms and offered valuable mentorship as part of an effort to prepare those interested in joining the early learning workforce.
Keisha Gorospe graduated from Hawaiʻi Community College in Hilo last fall with her Associate in Science degree in early childhood education. She finished 150 practicum hours at Piʻihonua Preschool. Gorospe might enroll at UH West Oʻahu in the future to earn her bachelor’s degree in the field.
“I’ve always been really passionate about working with children. After taking the classes and following this experience, I feel like I have a calling towards it,” she said. “It’s a very amazing experience that I’m very lucky to have gotten. You gain so much knowledge about what teachers do, and I got a lot of feedback.”
Gorospe created lesson plans, did storytime and came up with indoor and outdoor activities aimed at empowering E Ola! learners. Since KS nurtures emerging ʻōiwi leaders through education rooted in Hawaiian culture and language, she made sure to include those elements.
“I tried to incorporate for a reduce, reuse, recycle lesson, different concepts like mālama, and for a lesson on ocean animals, we used Hawaiian words,” said Gorospe. “I did try to follow those different core values.”
Maila Naiga spent time in the classroom at Pāhoa Preschool to finish the practicum hours for her associate degree in early childhood education from HCC. She sees a big need to boost Hawaiʻi’s early education workforce.
“They are lacking teachers, and the children are losing out on their education, especially with the pandemic. It hurt them the most,” said Naiga.
She did all kinds of educational activities with the keiki, including arts and crafts as well as singing and dancing.
“I really enjoyed working with the staff at Kamehameha Preschool in Pāhoa. I was able to get advice and critiques on my work and how I can better my teaching steps in the classroom with the children,” said Naiga.
Kamehameha Schools is committed to investing in early education, which provides a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning.
“We’re exploring ways to increase the availability of early learning opportunities by helping to build the early education workforce,” said Dr. Waiʻaleʻale Sarsona, vice president of Hiʻialo at Kamehameha Schools. “As a state, we all need to pitch in and focus on taking action to create positive change in our communities.”
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early learning,hands-on learning,ks preschools
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Kaipuolono Article, Regions, East Hawai’i, Themes, Culture, Community, KS Announcements, Newsroom, Campus Programs, Preschools, Preschools
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