Starting in August, 2001, Moanalua High School will be embarking on a rigorous three year professional development program. The MOHS design includes:
  1. a focus on classroom insruction and assessment
  2. a web-based teacher portfolio system
  3. web-based teacher training modules
  4. a web-accessible standards based learning information system
  5. a performance-based teacher program
  6. a long range and continuous 3 year process
  7. integrated career advancement for teachers
  8. a collaborative, collegial community

The professional development team, headed by Priscilla Shimamoto, Staff Developer, and Merle Harada and Ellen Miyasato, not-really retired staff developers, have been working since the 2000-2001 school year to design a teacher-centered professional development system that would support transformation in the classroom.

Using data, such as results from the Learning Styles Survey and teacher surveys on their professional strengths and needs, as well as school level data on student achievement and diverse populations, the team hopes to provide the support and accountability necessary to truly make a difference in teaching and learning at MOHS.

Principal Darrel Galera believes that, "what is needed is an approach to professional development for teachers that is "teacher-centered" and meaningful to teachers. In addition, any training program would maximize its effectiveness by having the following characteristics: tied to national teacher certification processes, inquiry-based, based on collaboration and teaming, incorporating teacher reflection and best practices, and effectively delivering training over a time period sufficient to ensure comprehension and application."

In the next three years, the professional development team and the rest of the MOHS faculty and staff, will attempt to make that vision of professional development a reality.