Teacher Education

Aspire to Inspire! Becoming a teacher is one of the most rewarding careers you can choose.

The Teacher Education program prepares you with a solid foundation of pedagogy to teach K-12. Degree completion gets you “career ready” to be hired as a highly qualified Educational Assistant or part-time teacher… or gets you started on your 4-year Education degree.

If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you could become a licensed teacher in our Career and Technical Education or Special Education alternative pathway programs.

 

In This Section

Program Details

Associate in Science in Teaching (62 credits) will provide you with the first two years of a baccalaureate program in elementary or secondary education (as a transfer degree) or can prepare you for employment as a paraeducator (as a terminal degree). With a locally centered curriculum, graduates will be prepared for work as culturally responsive educators with skills in creating, analyzing and implementing developmentally appropriate instruction and standards-based lesson plans to ensure growth for learners of various backgrounds and abilities. Requirements for the Associate in Science Degree

Certificate of Competence, Alternative Certification in Teaching (Track I) (14 credits) equips candidates who have content knowledge in career and technical education with the pedagogy necessary to become effective secondary teachers in CTE classrooms. This alternative pathway post-baccalaureate program applies to the following license fields to teach CTE in middle school and high schools: Arts and Communications (6-12), Business (6-12), Health Services (6-12), Industrial and Engineering Technology (6-12), Natural Resources (6-12), and Public and Human Services (6-12). Requirements for the Certificate of Competence

Certificate of Competence, Alternative Certification in Teaching (Track II) (20 credits) equips candidates who have content knowledge in career and technical education with the pedagogy necessary to become effective secondary teachers in CTE classrooms. This alternative pathway post-baccalaureate program applies to the following license fields to teach CTE in middle school and high schools: Arts and Communications (6-12), Business (6-12), Health Services (6-12), Industrial and Engineering Technology (6-12), Natural Resources (6-12), and Public and Human Services (6-12). Requirements for the Certificate of Competence

Certificate of Competence, Culturally Responsive Teaching (13 credits) prepares you for work as culturally responsive paraeducators or teachers versed in Hawaiian and indigenous knowledge, pedagogy and worldview. The certificate will provide a micro-credential and preparation for students planning careers in teaching as well as professional development/career advancement for current in-service teachers. Requirements for the Certificate of Competence

Certificate of Competence, Special/Inclusive Education (16 credits) will provide you with opportunities to pursue positions as paraeducators or enhance skills as already certified teachers with a focus on Special and Inclusive Education. You will be equipped with the skills to plan and deliver general curriculum that is inclusive of children with disabilities, as well as gain the knowledge for assessing developmental milestones and applying evidence-based practices to assess student learning. Requirements for the Certificate of Competence

Certificate of Competence, Special Education II (16 credits) is designed to provide more specialized and comprehensive preparation in special education law, IEP development, assessment, educational technology, literacy intervention, and professionalism for those pursuing a teaching degree in special education or wishing to increase their knowledge in the field of special education. Requirements for the Certificate of Competence

Advanced Professional Certificate in Special Education, PK-12 (19 credits) is designed for those with a bachelor-level degree in any field that leads to recommendation for licensure to teach SPED. You will gain the skills and knowledge to explain and practice special education policies, understand the effects of disabilities on social and emotional development, as well as design and implement individualized education plans for students with disabilities. Requirements for the Advanced Professional Certificate

The time to complete the certificates or the degree varies from one to four semesters. To obtain the associate degree in two years, you have to take an average of 15 credits/semester.

Costs: tuition and fees

Michael Cawdery, Professor CC, Teacher Education Program; BA Sociology, University of Buffalo (SUNY); MA Education Policy and Leadership, University of Maryland; PhD Education, University of Hawai‘i.

Jeffrey Judd, Professor CC, Teacher Education Program, BS, Post Bac Secondary Science, University of California at Davis, MEd, PhD, Educational Psychology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

Christina Keaulana, Assistant Professor CC, Teacher Education Program; BA, English and Asian Studies, Brandeis University, MA; MEd, Special Education, PhD, Education, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

Brittni Ramos, Instructor CC, Teacher Education Program; BS, Elementary Education; MEd, Instructional Leadership, Chaminade University of Honolulu.

Lilian Rebamonte-Smith, Instructor CC, Teacher Education Program; BS, Early Childhood Education; MEd, Special Education, University of Nevada at Las Vegas

Cameron Rivera, Academic Advisor, Teacher Education Program; BBA, Marketing; MEd, Educational Technology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

Jaydene Kale‘a Silva, Associate Professor CC, Teacher Education Program; BA, Hawaiian Studies, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa; MEd, Secondary Education, Chaminade University; PhD Curriculum Studies, University of Hawai‘i Mānoa

Jean StavRue-Pe‘ahi, Counselor, Teacher Education Program; Assistant Professor, CC Counselor; BA, Hawai‘i Pacific University; MS, Chaminade University

Erin Yagi, Instructor CC, Teacher Education Program; BEd, Secondary Science Education; MEd, Educational Psychology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

This program does not meet the professional licensure requirements outside of the State of Hawaiʻi. If you are not a resident of Hawaii, Leeward Community College recommends that you contact the appropriate licensing agency within your home state prior to beginning coursework at Leeward to determine whether the program meets the requirements for licensure in your home state. See Professional Licensure Boards by state.

Leeward Community College is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The programs listed below have been awarded full accreditation by AAQEP through June 30, 2028. Full accreditation acknowledges that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and has demonstrated the commitment and capacity to maintain quality.

  • AAQEP-Accredited Teacher Education Programs
  • Alternative Certification for Career and Technical Education
  • Advanced Professional Certificate in Special Education

2022-2023 AAQEP Annual Report

2021-2022 AAQEP Annual Report Part 1