2026-27 Heʻeia NERR ʻĀina Education Professional Learning Program Application

DEADLINE EXTENDED: SUNDAY, JUNE 12th, 2026

The He'eia National Estuarine Research Reserve is seeking applicants a professional learning program for teachers and other school staff (librarians, counselors, janitors, etc!) of the Koʻolau area that are interested in ʻāina-based education. This program is highly personalized and designed to help both new and experienced teachers explore ʻāina education and build relationships with ʻāina organizations, including those in Heʻeia. The program is open to any DOE or charter school teachers grades PreK-12 from Waimānalo to Sunset Beach, and community college instructors will be considered as well. This year, contingent on funding, we intend to run our 6th cohort!

In this program, you will have the opportunity to:

- Experience ʻāina restoration and research
- Design your own project-based and learner-driven activities
- Build relationships with like-minded teachers, ʻāina educators, and community partners

In this program, we expect that you:
- Attend all workshops and required activities throughout the school year (timeline below)
- Maintain communication with NERR team and fellow cohort participants
- Complete various milestone assignments throughout the school year

*Please review the program details in this slide deck before proceeding*

Note: Your application is confidential and will only be shared within our internal Heʻeia NERR education team.
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Name *
Preferred email address for communication *
DOE ID email address (e.g. 12345678@k12.hi.us. If you don't have one, write N/A.) *
Phone number *
What grade level(s) do you currently work with? Please check all that apply.  *
Required
What school do you currently work at? *
What is your title and role at the school? *
How many years have you been working in education?
 *
Are you applying as a part of a team? If so, list the names of all your team members. If applying as an individual, write N/A.

Please note: Each team member must submit their own application. 
 *
How did you hear about the program? If you were referred by alumni of the program, please list their name(s)
 *
Please share briefly why you are interested in this professional development program in ʻāina education.
 *
Please write a short paragraph on the initial ideas you have for an ʻāina-based project or area of inquiry. 

If you have participated before, how will your project build upon your previous work? 

If you are applying as a team, how will you be working together?
 *
If you have not already, please familiarize yourself with the program's Ahupua'a Mindsets (see slide deck) as well as the HIDOE Nā Hopena A'o (Hā) Framework.


Describe how your initial ideas will enhance/develop/extend proficiency of these outcomes for you or your students.
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Are you able to attend the following program dates? Check all that you can attend. Please note that these workshops are required, so plan accordingly. If you need to miss more than one, we encourage you to wait and apply next year.
 *
Required
Will your project require any specific support or resources that you know of at this time? Please elaborate if so.
Is there anything else you would like us to know?
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