We are Growing Our Own Teachers on Kauai, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to assisting Kauai’s aspiring student teachers to complete their education.
Our goal is to provide grants to teacher candidates entering their final student teaching semester who are in need of financial assistance. We have expanded our reach recently to include aspiring secondary educators. We have also reached past the University of Hawaii and included students from other teacher credentials programs. As always, recipients must have strong ties to Kauai and be willing to teach for at least three years on Kauai.
Our Fall 2023 recipients are a special group: Chazlyn Harada, Chandlyn Harada, and Malina Folsom. Like all of our recipients, they are dedicated to teaching and come highly recommended by their program teachers and mentors. This group sets themselves apart with their special dedication. Chandlyn and Chazlyn are immersed in educating their students in the Hawaiian culture and `ōlelo along with the academics they need to succeed. Malina loves the land and uses what little spare time she has to volunteer with Healing Horses Kauai and the Kaimana Horse Sanctuary. We are very proud to be able to assist them in their journeys to teaching our Kauai keiki and wish them every success!
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For those who are entering their student teaching semester in the Spring of 2024, the deadline to apply will be upon us before we know it! Get started now because your advisors must supply you with their recommendations! We must receive your application and supporting documents by November 30, 2023. Visit our Student Teaching Grant Application page for details and forms.
With the lack of teachers on Kauai approaching a critical point, Growing Our Own Teachers on Kauai is dedicated to identifying the ways in which we can help alleviate this issue. We welcome your thoughts, your time, and your donations to further our cause.
Mahalo to All Who Attended Our Dance Party
While we didn’t have the turnout we expected at our Boogie Shoes 70s Dance Party, we want to thank all of those who attended and made it a special event! We had a costume contest for Best 70s Couple, and Best 70s Costume, a photo booth, and classic 70s music by DJ Mike Dandurand! We were fortunate to have the Kauai Philippine Cultural Center provide the venue.
Needless to say, there was a lot of dancing, mingling, and fun! The DJ music and food were excellent. We want to thank our donors of various beverages: Kauai Beer Company, Menehune Water, Koloa Rum Co., Kauai Coffee, Odom Corp., and Kauai Ice Co.
Kauai Teacher Appreciation Day Proclamation
We appreciate our Kauai teachers every day, but we celebrate National 
Teacher Appreciation every year in May! This year, we asked our Mayor, Derek Kawakami, to issue a proclamation to celebrate Kauai Teacher Appreciation Day on May 2nd. We are fundraising to help future teachers of Kauai complete their studies. You can read the proclamation by clicking on the image.
Because our ongoing mission is to support Student Teachers, please consider donating. Click here to give. Mahalo!