Teaching In Hawaii

Aloha friends!  I can't believe it has taken me this long to write this post!  I started my blog two years ago and in that time I have shared a lot about my little classroom here in Hawaii.  I have made virtual friends from all over the world and have learned so much from others in the process.

Over these few years I have received so many emails from teachers who want to know more about teaching here in Hawaii.  The allure of living and working in the middle of the pacific on a tropical island seems like paradise!

I hope to answer basic questions that some of you may have about teaching and living here in Hawaii.

Hawaii is always in need of teachers.  I have yet to meet someone who has applied here and been turned away.  Many teachers get hired and come here, but often they don't stay for more than a few years.

To take a look at what is available here in Hawaii start here with this link {Job Listings}.

Hawaii is a small state, but consists of 8 different islands.  The schools are all under one system, but divided up into different districts.  When considering working here, you need to decide which island or islands you would like to live.

Oahu is the most densely populated.  Here is a site for more statistics {click HERE}

If you are looking for a more secluded island I would suggest the Big Island, Maui, Kaua'i, Lanai, or Molokai.

Once you apply there is the initial interview.  From what I have heard, you have to come here for the interview unless they are recruiting somewhere on the mainland.  During this interview they will ask you what islands and districts you are willing to work. This can be tricky for some people if they don't know where they want to go.  I suggest you do your homework and read up on the different districts and schools.  Check out the school websites and see if the school might be a good fit.

After the intake interview, your name will be placed on a list.  The list will be given to the schools in the districts you applied to.  The schools will then call you to come in for an interview. You cannot go to the schools yourself.  If a school calls you for an interview and you do not want to work in that particular school, it can be marked against you.  After you turn down 5 different schools, I think you will be taken off the list.  That's what I have heard, it may be different now.

Once you accept a position you are on probation for 3 years.  You cannot transfer districts within that 3 years, so make sure you are where you want to be!

Starting salary here is $45,000.  It seems high, but so is the cost of living.  Food and housing will quickly deplete your income! A loaf of bread is $5 or more, cereal will cost you the same and fresh fruits and vegetables are very expensive in the grocery stores.

The rent has gone way up in the 11 years I have lived here.  Here is a list of available apartments on the island of Oahu.

Another thing to consider is that the pay scale does not offer yearly increases.  You must earn PD credits to move up on the pay scale. {insert sad face here}  For every 15 hours of PD classes you complete, your salary increases by about $1500.  Essentially if you don't take any classes you could be at this salary for a very long time!!

So if you can handle the high cost of living, then the next thing to get ready for is the cultural change. Although Hawaii is part of the United States, it is a very different place to live.  Hawaii is a melting pot of so many different cultures.

Depending on the area of the school you are in, you will most likely have several ELL students.  One year I had a Spanish speaker, 4 who spoke Portuguese, 2 who spoke Japanese  and one who spoke German!

There is also the local dialect which will take you a bit to get used to.  I wrote a post about it awhile back. {CLICK HERE FOR POST}

Hawaii is an amazing place.  The history and culture are rich and diverse.  It is the most isolated of all the island chains.  The weather is about as perfect as possible, we don't often have horrible storms or hurricanes.  I have had to evacuate my home twice for tsunami warnings, but nothing came of both experiences.

There is always good and bad when you decide to move to a new place.  I adapted here very well.  I lead a very active lifestyle and LOVE surfing.  But, I do have to go to work everyday just like everyone else.  The hardest part about being here, is being so far away from my family in Colorado and Arizona.

However, my daughters have grown up in a small secluded little bubble, which I am happy about.  I found a school and community that I love working in and I enjoy the casual vibe of living here.

I live in a tiny house and drive a tiny car. I don't even have cable TV.  We don't have many material goods and quite often we leave the house without locking the doors.  

If you are adventurous, open minded and willing to go without certain material wealth, then I would say Hawaii would be a great place for you to teach!