A‘o ‘Āina Professional Development Program
A program of Kupu and Mālama Learning Center, the Aʻo ʻĀina Professional Development Program uses a work-based learning approach to enhance educators’ knowledge of different natural resource careers and topics, with each educator’s journey individually curated to expand on their interests and help fill their knowledge gaps.
Applications for the 2023-2024 school year are now closed.
Contact education@kupuhawaii.org for more information.
"Increasing my own knowledge makes me a better resource for my students. Learning how many diverse careers there are was a big [takeaway of the program]. I feel like a better teacher because of completing the program.” — Sarah, Kapolei High School Teacher
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Program Information:
Based on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, and Moloka’i
Approximately 40 hours of programming (mixed in-person and virtual) from October 2023 through April 2024.
Externships at community partner sites will take place on Saturdays through January, February, and March as well as weekdays during DOE Spring Break.
Benefits:
$595 stipend upon successful completion of the program
Gain access to hundreds of curated webinars
Engage in one-on-one informational interviews with natural resource professionals from a diverse array of careers
Participate in mini-externships with community partners and agencies
Join post-secondary and professional panels with leading experts in a wide-range of natural resource fields
Develop a lesson plan that increases student knowledge of natural resource careers and topics
Provide educators with an opportunity to receive an ʻĀina-Based Education Certification
Qualifications:
O’ahu, Moloka’i, Hawai’i Island-based teachers, counselors, administrators and support staff involved with education
Applications for the ‘23-’24 school year are now closed, please contact education@kupuhawaii.com for more information.
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3 cohorts since 2020, totally 29 participants
12 participating schools across Hawaiʻi
38 partner organizations
Aʻo ʻĀina Cohort Reports
Spring 2023 Report
Spring 2021 Report
Fall 2020 Report
Mahalo to our Partners:
AECOM Technical Services ● Bishop Museum ● City and County of Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency ● Conservation International – Hawaiʻi ● Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife ● Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources ● Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement ● Department of Land and Natural Resources – Natural Area Reserves System ● Elemental Excelerator ● Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary ● Hanau Creative LLC ● Hawaiian Islands Land Trust ● Hawaiʻi Agriculture Research Center ● Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation ● Kua’āina Ulu ʻAuamo ● Koʻolau Mountain Watershed Partnership ● Leeward Community College ● Mālama Loko Ea Foundation ● Mālama Pūpūkea-Waimea ● Mālama Maunalua ● Mālama Learning Center ● Mālama Puʻuloa ● Ma’o Farms ● Nā Wai ʻEkolu ● The Nature Conservancy ● Na Aliʻi Consulting & Sales LLC ● National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – Habitat Conservation Division ● National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – Protected Species Division ● National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center ● Oʻahu Invasive Species Committee ● Paepae o Heʻeia ● University of Hawaiʻi West Oahu ● University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa ● University of Hawaiʻi Hilo
Mahalo to our Funders:
Hauʻoli Mau Loa ● Chamber of Commerce Hawaii ● Kamehameha Schools
