Biographical Sketches for 2015 State Elections for Officers and NEA Director and Alternate Director

MEET THE CANDIDATES

Two candidates:
•Joan Kamila Lewis
•Corey Rosenlee

Joan Kamila Lewis
Kapolei High School, English Teacher

Uniting in pursuit of quality public education for all students is HSTA’s vision.  Together, we the members of HSTA must take our place as educational partners for that vision to become a reality.  Team 2015, Lewis, Pasco, and Tui are ready to lead, train others and continue to serve our members as we continue on this journey.  We have a record or proven leadership, are respected as credible educators, and are prepared to work as a team, using every means possible, to make sure our profession and our teachers THRIVE.  Want to learn more?  FB “team2015forhawaiiteachers”.  Mahalo for your support!

Corey Rosenlee
Campbell High School, Social Studies Teacher

Three years ago I led the Work to the Rule Movement after two forced contracts by our FORMER governor.  Teachers from over 100 schools joined in to pressure the governor.  Since then, I have organized teachers and students to improve working conditions by putting air conditioning in hot classrooms, testified to end longer bell schedules, and worked to end the use of standardized testing on teacher evaluations.  Teacher unions must organize and fight to ensure that all children, regardless of their socio-economic status are entitled to a quality education.  I will continue to fight as your HSTA President.

Three candidates:
•Paul Daugherty
•Justin Hughey
•Colleen Pasco

Paul Daugherty
Konawaena High School, Math Teacher

As a 28 year veteran math teacher at Konawaena HS, I have been a school level leader most of my career which included Head Faculty, Faculty, Grievance, APC, and SCBM/SCC Reps.  I’ve represented Kona Chapter on the Negotiations Committee for 14 years and was elected to the Negotiations Team three times.  Additionally, I worked on the BOE Committee on Weights VI, VII, VIII, and now IX, the Great Teachers Great Leaders, and the EES Teacher Leader workgroups.  It has been an honor to be elected and serve as a delegate to HSTA Convention and the NEA RA many times.

Justin Hughey
King Kamehameha III Elementary School, 2nd/3rd Grade Special Education Teacher

Successful legislation introduced:
20 items at HSTA Convention including:
•Oppose Constitutional Amendment: Public Resources for Private Preschools.
7 items at NEA Convention including:
•Deleted language that supported preschool vouchers in a policy statement.
7 items at Democratic Party of Hawaii Convention including:
•High Stake Testing.
•Teacher pay in Hawaii should not be the worst in the country.
Hawaii Legislature:
•First resolution in the country against the Supreme Court’s Citizen United ruling.
Democratic Party of Hawaii:
•Created the Education Caucus.
•Its Current Chair.
HSTA Related Involvement:
•Chapter Charter, Bylaw, and Resolution Committee
•HSTA Political Action Committee
•HSTA Government Relations Committee
•Head Faculty Representative

Colleen Pasco
Kohala High School, English Language Arts Teacher

I have been actively involved in HSTA leadership roles for 25 years as a Faculty Rep, APC, Elections, PCR, and PAC Chair, Board of Directors, and a total of 15 years as the Kohala Chapter President.  I was on the Political Action Task Force that revamped our recommendation process and served as Chair of the second Task force that revised the process.  I have attended 17 NEA Representative Assemblies and 18 HSTA Conventions as a delegate.  I am the current HSTA Secretary-Treasurer and would like to continue my service to teachers and HSTA as Vice President.

2 candidates:
•Amy Perruso
•Osa Tui, Jr.

Amy Perruso
Mililani High School, Teacher

My political work with teachers, students and parents to reclaim public education over the past decade sparked my recent academic investigation into the roots and nature of the national ‘education deform’ movement.  This work in turn inspired me to start organizing to resist the ‘education deform’ movement and has enabled me to publicly challenge unfair teacher evaluations, toxic testing culture and the narrowing and scripting of curriculum.  We need to fight for a more democratic, transparent and member-driven union because a strong teacher union is our best hope to reclaim a rich and meaningful public education for our children.

Osa Tui, Jr.
McKinley High School, Registrar

Aloha!  My HSTA experience includes Faculty Representative, Association Policy Committee member, and current Grievance Representative.  I have also attended NEA Minority Leadership Training, the HSTA State Convention, and the NEA Representative Assembly.  I have served as Vice Chair of the Negotiations Committee and currently serve as your Chair, as elected by my fellow Committee members.  As a math teacher, math coach, registrar, robotics advisor, and Negotiations Team member, I have used my nerdy affinity for numbers and Excel to help others and hope to continue doing so while fighting for you as your Secretary-Treasurer.  Mahalo!

2 candidates:
•Fran Bellinger
•Cliff Fukuda

Fran Bellinger
King Intermediate School, Physical Education Teacher

Aloha Kakou,
May I please have your vote?  I’m running for re-election as your NEA Director.  During my first term, I made a solid commitment to avidly advocate for our members and public education in Hawaii.  I have done so.  Each year I’ve gone to every chapter across the state to meet with, listen to and understand teachers’ concerns, suggestions and ideas.  I am grateful to have served and fought for our members and would love to continue this important work.  Yes, I am “Your Voice” at the local, state and national levels.  May I please have your vote?  Mahalo.

Cliff Fukuda
Aiea High School, Social Studies Teacher / Coach – Football and Basketball

Willing and able to tackle challenges facing public education, I have years of experience serving teachers in our Association.
•Board of Directors – 9 years
•Faculty Representative – 11 years
•Chapter Executive Board – 12 years
•State Convention Representative – 18 years
•NEA Delegate – 12 years
•NEA APIC Liaison – 4 years

Knowing we are at a crossroads and wanting to make a difference, I possess the understanding and background to make a difference.
•Social Studies Teacher at Aiea High
•Assistant Football Coach
•MS (Ed) University of Southern California
•BA (Political Science/Education) Gonzaga University
•AA (Legal Studies) Kapiolani Community College

One candidate:
•Jonathan Gillentine

Jonathan Gillentine
Windward District Office, Early Learning Specialist

My work within HSTA as Grievance Rep, Faculty Rep, Chapter VP, State Board member, SPED Committee member, HSTA Convention delegate, NEA RA delegate, and professional development facilitator have served to prepare me for this position.  I also offer experience with initiatives established by NEA, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and the Center for Teacher Quality, and involvement in an established, engaged network of teacher leaders.  I will promote excellence for teachers and our students through innovation, teacher leadership, and teacher voice in school level, state, and national policy decisions.