Implementing Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices
About Us
Maipapan Kadatayo
E Pili Ana iā Mākou
Waipahu, O'ahu
Waipahu is located on the leeward side of O'ahu. Its name is derived from the words wai, which means water, and pahu, which means burst or explode. The common translation in the community refers to Waipahu as "gushing waters."
With the commercialization of sugar in 1845, the Oahu Sugar Plantation opened its mill in Waipahu. The plantation employed immigrant workers from China, Japan, Portugal, Norway, and the Philippines. After the Oahu Sugar Company shutdown in 1997, the mill's smoke stack serves as a landmark for the historic plantation town.
According to the Census Reporter, Waipahu's region is about 2.7 square miles and it contains around 8,700 households. Currently, about 40,000 people reside in Waipahu. 67% of the city's population are of Asian race or ethnicity, 12% identify as Islanders, and 11% recognizes with two or more races or ethnicities.
Information gathered from Census Reporter, World Atlas, and Images of Old O'ahu. Picture from Images of Old O'ahu.
August Ahrens Elementary
August Ahrens Elementary School (AAES) is a K-6 school located on the island of O'ahu in the city of Waipahu, Hawai'i. It is one of five elementary schools in the Waipahu complex. This school was named after Mr. August Ahrens, the first manager of Oahu Sugar Company, and opened its doors on September 1, 1924. The school will be celebrating their 100th year anniversary this year in 2024.
Currently, the school services approximately 1,200 students and 220 faculty and staff, making it one of the largest, single-track elementary school in the state. AAES's vision is to create a place where students and staff Aspire, Adapt, Excel, and Serve. Its mission is "to empower students to be caring, lifelong learners with college-career-life readiness skills who contribute to the community." AAES is a Title I school in which about 57% of our students qualify for free or reduced price meals. Filipino students make up the predominant ethnicity of AAES making up approximately 85% of the student body.
Information gathered on August Ahrens Elementary School website
Students of I-8
Our class contains 18 students between the ages 5-6 years old. I-8 is one of nine Kindergarten classes at AAES. Of my student population, all students are of Filipino background with some students of Hawaiian, Japanese, and Caucasian backgrounds as well. Six out of 18 students in the class are considered English Language Learners with Ilocano being their first language spoken at home. These EL students range from Limited English Proficiency to Functionally English Proficient. Most students have older siblings who are attending or have attended August Ahrens Elementary.
The students have a range of interests from unicorns, Minecraft, Bluey, football, and insects! We cover all content subjects: English Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Social Emotional Learning, and Project Based Learning.
STEMS² Program
STEMS² is a Masters of Education Curriculum Studies program in Interdisciplinary Education offered at the University of Hawaiʻi - Manoa. "The MEd CS, Interdisciplinary Education STEMS² track is designed for educators who want to be transformative, connect with community, engage students in place and experiential learning, transcend disciplinary boundaries, and gain leadership skills that emphasize respect and collaboration." The program integrates science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and social sciences content by focusing on real-world problems, offering opportunities of place- and project-based instruction, and connects educators to build pilina with community partners all over the islands of Hawaiʻi.
Information gathered on STEMS² website (Pictured on the right and below is STEMS²'s Cohort 9, 2023-2024)
STEMS²
Cohort 9
Recognition Ceremony
June 29, 2024
Pictures taken by Matthew Tom, Ed.D.