Position Title: Kumu (Teacher) – All Grade Levels & Content Areas
Reports To: Poʻokumu (Director/Principal) and/or Hope Poʻokumu (Vice Principal)
Bargaining Unit: HSTA Unit 05
Classification: Full-Time, 10-month, Year-to-Year Appointment

Introduction

At Nā Wai Ola Public Charter School, we are committed to preparing resilient, lifelong learners who thrive globally with a strong identity and connection to Hawaiʻi and the Hawaiian culture. Kumu (teachers) are essential in this mission: they are not only educators but also cultural practitioners and leaders who bring our educational philosophy to life in the classroom and beyond.

This position is performed in accordance with the HSTA Bargaining Unit 05 contract, Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes (HRS §302D), Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules (Title 8, Chapters 27, 60, 61, and 70), and all applicable federal laws, including IDEA, Section 504, Title VI, FERPA, and ESSA.

Core Responsibilities

Instruction and Curriculum
● Design and implement standards-based instruction aligned to HCPS III, NGSS, CCSS, C3, or other applicable frameworks.
● Deliver engaging, developmentally appropriate lessons that promote academic success and cultural identity.
● Create and facilitate project-based learning (PBL) units that are interdisciplinary, inquiry-based, and rooted in real-world issues, Hawaiian culture, and ʻāina-based learning.
● Integrate technology and hands-on learning to support 21st-century competencies, collaboration, and creativity.
● Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all students, including those with IEPs, 504 plans, English Learners, and gifted students, in compliance with federal and state laws.
● Use formative and summative assessments to monitor student learning, provide feedback, and inform instruction.

Required Participation in Hawaiian Culture-Based Education

As a Hawaiian culture-based school, full and active participation in all cultural initiatives is required as a condition of employment.

All kumu shall:
● Implement and lead Hawaiian cultural protocols in class and schoolwide settings, including oli, pule, hoʻokupu, hoʻokipa, mālama ʻāina, hōʻike, makahiki, and lōkahi days.
● Meaningfully incorporate ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, ʻike kūpuna, moʻolelo, and Hawaiian values into classroom instruction and daily routines.
● Attend and participate in all cultural, schoolwide, and staff events, including hālāwai (staff meetings), professional development, ʻohana nights, hōʻike, and field learning (huakaʻi).
● Collaborate with cultural practitioners, kumu ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, and school leadership to ensure cultural integrity across all instructional practices.
● Model kuleana, aloha, and cultural humility as a school-wide standard of conduct.

Inclusion and Student Support
● Collaborate with special education teams and support staff to implement IEPs, 504 Plans, EL accommodations, and intervention plans with fidelity, in compliance with IDEA, Section 504, and HAR Chapter 60.
● Use inclusive, trauma-informed, and restorative practices to support student learning, behavior, and social-emotional well-being.
● Maintain detailed and timely documentation of academic and behavioral data, communication, and progress monitoring.

Professional Responsibilities
All kumu are expected to:
● Comply with the HSTA Bargaining Unit 05 contract, including instructional duties, planning, grading, and student supervision.
● Attend and participate in all required professional development, school trainings, reflective practice sessions, and curriculum initiatives.
● Participate in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), IEP/504 meetings, student support meetings, and school hālāwai (staff meetings).
● Supervise students during recess, lunch, arrival/dismissal, huakaʻi, and other assigned duties in alignment with school policies and safety protocols.
● Support school initiatives such as snack/meal distribution, field learning, mālama ʻāina days, and student-led conferences.

Communication and Conduct
● Communicate clearly, professionally, and regularly with students, families, and colleagues.
● Maintain professional behavior in alignment with the Hawaiʻi Teacher Standards Board (HTSB) Code of Ethics and school policies.
● Respect confidentiality at all times in accordance with FERPA, HIPAA, and school procedures.
● Model pono behavior and act as a cultural and academic role model both in and out of the classroom.
● Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning, self-reflection, and cultural and professional growth.

Safety, Compliance, and Legal Responsibilities
● Follow all state and federal laws, including HRS §302D (Charter Schools), IDEA, Section 504, Title VI, ESSA, and all DOE/authorizer policies.
● Participate in mandated training (e.g., health, safety, child abuse reporting, data privacy).
● Report student safety concerns, hazards, or potential violations to school leadership immediately.
● Follow school safety protocols and participate in drills and emergency preparedness procedures.

Commitment to Nā Wai Ola PCS Mission and Vision
Every kumu is expected to:
● Uphold Nā Wai Ola’s mission: to support the intellectual, emotional, physical, and cultural growth of each student in a caring, culturally grounded environment.
● Support the school’s vision of developing resilient, lifelong learners grounded in Hawaiian culture who are globally competent and community-minded.
● Contribute to a school culture rooted in aloha, kuleana, and collective excellence.

Work Hours

Teachers at Nā Wai Ola Public Charter School are employed under the terms of the Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) collective bargaining agreement. The standard workday for full-time teachers is 7 hours, exclusive of a duty-free lunch period, as defined by the HSTA contract.

Teachers are expected to be on campus during contractual hours and fulfill all instructional, supervisory, and professional responsibilities, which include but are not limited to:
● Providing direct classroom instruction during scheduled teaching periods
● Planning, preparing, and assessing instructional materials and student progress
● Supervising students during recess, lunch, arrival/dismissal, and other assigned times
● Participating in required faculty meetings, professional development, and school events
● Engaging in parent communication and supporting family involvement in student learning
● Supporting the school’s project-based learning model and culture-based education initiatives

In alignment with the school’s mission and culture, teachers may also be expected to participate in school-related cultural activities, huakaʻi (field trips), hōʻike (exhibitions), and other after-school or weekend events. These activities, when required beyond the contractual workday or year, will be coordinated in compliance with the HSTA collective bargaining agreement and may qualify for additional compensation or adjustment in work expectations, as applicable.