E lawe i ke aʻo a mālama, a e ʻoi mau ka naʻauao.

He who takes his teachings and applies them increases his knowledge. ʻŌLELO NOEAU #328

New Year, new Ways of Being! Join us and start 2024 off with a spark!

Days

Hours

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Apply to Cohort 10 by Friday, December 22, 2023

About Spark Well-being Cohorts

SPARK cohorts are designed for YOU, Hawaiʻi’s educators and parents. The purpose of this online 10-week well-being cohort is to address toxic stress resulting from the pandemic so that you are the most effective when working with students. Participants will engage in weekly research-based Positive Psychology activities designed to increase personal well-being and flourishing as well as decrease stress. This is the last of five planned cohorts over three years. SPARK cohorts are funded by the US DOE Native Hawaiian Education Program.

Here’s da scoops!

What to Expect

10 weeks: January 8 to March 16, 2024

PHASE 1. The cohort will go through synchronous online learning and activities using Slack, a private online social community. Log in when it is convenient for you!

Sparked to Action!

PHASE 2. Create and implement a Spark Call to Action Plan centered around sparking well-being and/or literacy, to be completed in your school by August 2024.

3 Online Retreats (Required Attendance)

Designed to be experiential and engaging- focused on Adaptive Leadership, Positive Psychology, and Native Hawaiian knowledge. Saturdays. Opening Retreat 1/13/24 (9a- 5p). Mid Retreat 2/10/24 (9a to 2p). Closing Retreat 3/16/24 (9a to 2p).

Weekly Call to Actions: Homework to Help You Flourish

Practice the research-based Positive Psychology activities that are easy, effective, and fun! Earn all 10 weekly H-PEP badges for submitting your weekly Google Forms!

Set Your Intentions: Clarify Your Personal Goals

Create meaningful connections with your team and receive ongoing support from your peer coach who is committed to helping you have your best experience.

"Once in H-PEP, always in H-PEP!"

Be a part of the H-PEP +CREW, an amazing network of Hawaii's educators and parents, also working hard to help our keiki thrive during the pandemic.

Curriculum Highlights

Physical
Well-being

Focus on addressing your physical well-being through breath, sleep, and movement.

Strengths

Dive into character strengths and see how they impact self-esteem and self-efficacy.

Gratitude

Develop a habit of practicing gratitude and evoking feelings of positivity.

Meaning

Find meaning in your daily life and take time to reflect on your thoughts and emotions.

Savoring

Check in with yourself and do more of what feels good to improve your well-being.

Empathy

Learn Active Constructive Responding, a practice associated with greater life satisfaction.

Adaptive Leadership

Engage in reflective practices, learn about cycles of change and how to manage them, and let your inner leader shine!

Hakalau

Learn the art of practicing and living in Hakalau, the mindset of possibility and solution, and other Native Hawaiian ʻike (knowledge).

Cohort Benefits

Emotions are highly contagious! You may experience increased well-being, resilience, and flow in addition to reduced levels of toxic stress.

Changes in YOU ultimately leads to changes in others. Your new learning, access to resources, and refreshed mindset may re-spark your ability to positively engage with your students, children, and others in your circles.

Each cohort participant may receive a stipend (up to $325) for attendance and completion of our data forms.

Educators- Priority application to our H-PEP Scholarship. Earn a Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution from the Spark M. Matsunaga Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution ($12k value)!

Each participant may apply for up to $500 to support their Spark Call to Action Plan (pending approval by H-PEP and your school's administrator).

Application Requirements: We are Looking for You!

Hawaii (preK to grade 12) educator or parent of a student in Hawaii (HIDOE, Charter, or Private Schools). Community based educators are also welcome to apply.
Must be able to attend ALL THREE online retreats live on Zoom, Saturdays. Opening Retreat 1/13/24 (9a- 5p). Mid Retreat 2/10/24 (9a to 2p). Closing Retreat 3/16/24 (9a to 2p).
Must be able to fully immerse yourself in our experiential activities during our Online Retreats- Treat these times as if you were in an in-person event. No other scheduled activities/commitments during these times.
Must commit to completing weekly Positive Psychology Interventions (PPIs) and Call to Actions (well-being homework) to the best of your ability and report on your experiences every Sunday via Google Form.
Must be willing to complete a packet of surveys on personal well-being, stress, happiness levels on 3 occasions (before start the cohort, after the cohort is finished, and 5 months after the cohort is finished).
Must create and implement a Spark Aloha Call to Action Plan centered around sparking well-being and/or literacy, to be completed in your school by August 2024.
Attend monthly 1-hr team meetings with your coach and team.

First Priority Enrollment

We are looking for educators and parents who are interested in and ready to commit to the full cohort program.
Educators are teachers, aides, counselors, related service providers, administrators, and anyone else at schools who help educate Hawaii's haumana.
We define parents as adults who directly take care of keiki in their home. Are you helping to raise a keiki and consider yourself in a parental role? We welcome you to participate!
We welcome multiple participants (educators and parents) from one school. You will be able to hui, or combine, your ideas, talents, resources, and SPARK Plan grant money for one spectacular Call to Action Plan!
Priority will go to those from our partner schools (University Laboratory School, Kaneohe Elementary, Puohala Elementary, Seagull Schools, and Imua Inclusion) although anyone connected to a Hawaii school may apply.
SPARK is a Native Hawaiian Education Program grant so we are especially looking for participants who are Native Hawaiian and those who work with and are raising Native Hawaiian keiki although anyone may apply.

Important Dates

Enrollment

Friday, 12/22/23: Applications due (Extended deadline). Priority deadline is by 12/15/23.
Mid December 2023: Notification of application status

Before Start

By early January 2024: Complete pre data packet online and join our Slack Community; Create your profile; Post your introduction

During 10-Weeks

10-Week Cohort curriculum* runs from Monday, 1/8/24 to Saturday, 3/16/24. Monthly team meetings with Coach
Week of 1/8/24: Focus on physical well-being and prepare for Opening Retreat on Saturday, 1/13/24 (9a- 5p)
Saturday, 2/10/24: Attend Mid Retreat (9a- 2p)
Saturday, 3/16/24: Attend Closing Retreat (9a- 2p)

After 10-Weeks

Complete Post Data Packet
Spring/ Summer 2024 Semester: Implement approved SPARK Call to Action Plan in your school
Saturday, 8/4/24: Attend In-person SPARK Celebration retreat in Honolulu, Hawaii (optional- invitation only)

What people are saying

H-PEP helped me to see the positive in everything. It helped me enjoy those little things that I had but wasn’t taking time to enjoy. I feel like a more positive, joyful educator. I understand that like me, all families have their own problems but there is always a way to make things better.

I feel that I’ve gained confidence in myself, my spirit, and most importantly in my teaching abilities. I started off [as] a mediocre [educator] and came out a champion. I realized I am important and deserve to treat myself with the same care and love I enjoy giving away to others.

H-PEP constantly reminded me of how important I am to this world and that’s something I really needed. Teachers give so much with so little in return that sometime it starts to take a toll on us. Seeing other teachers motivate one another is literally the best feeling. It came right around the times I needed it most!

I learned so many strategies that helped me be a better teacher. H-PEP is such a positive and encouraging teacher professional development. I feel emotionally and physically healthier this year because I put the mindfulness strategies that I learned through H-PEP into practice in my life. I have grown professionally and personally.

I was able to find more people like myself- who have stressful jobs, need a network of positive, healthy, good friends, who try hard to do the best that they can, support others, and truly understand our challenges. It is a support group…and I will continue self-care, support, and positive outlooks and internal positivity and pass it on!

H-PEP gave me many new skills and supported me to create habits to use them. I have an even healthier lifestyle than I did before. I respond to others in ways that helps foster positive interactions and relationships. I also gained a lot of resources. I am working towards more personal goals and tracking my progress. I am intentional in using the skills they taught me, including deep breathing and reducing or being ready for stress.