About This Position Special Education Teacher for Pre-Schoolers

About Our School Makalapa Elementary School is located on the slope of Makalapa Crater, which formed perhaps a million years ago.

Makalapa is a Hawaiian word that means “ridged features,” referring to the ridge-like features on the side of the crater. MISSION Makalapa Elementary is a school where our dedicated staff inspire students to be college, career, and citizenship ready. VISION All Makalapa students learn, persevere, achieve, and succeed. At Makalapa, we believe . . . * Each student is a valued individual with unique physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs. * A student’s self-esteem is enhanced by positive relationships and mutual respect among and between students and staff. * A student learns best when there are appropriate opportunities for success. * Teachers, parents, and the community share the responsibility for the support of the school’s mission.

SCHOOL HISTORY The planning for Makalapa Elementary School began in the late sixties when more schools were needed to accommodate increased student population in the Makalapa area. In 1970, the present site was selected and construction began. The buildings, however, were not completed in time for the start of the 1971 school year, so the students were temporarily housed at Pearl Harbor Kai Elementary School. Finally, on January 3, 1972, Mr. Toichi Saito, Makalapa’s first principal, 230 students and 13 teachers moved into their new school. The school consisted of a portable building for picking up lunches, classroom buildings D and F, and Building C, which housed classrooms and the office. Through the years, Makalapa Elementary has seen many changes. In 1973-1974, the cafeteria, the library and Building I were built and the land behind the school was cleared for a playground.  In 2012-2014, the cafeteria was renovated and enlarged to accommodate the growing population of 650+ students. The Hawaii State Department of Education is committed to hiring highly qualified teachers in every classroom. With the exception of designated Career and Technology Education (CTE) positions, the minimum qualification to apply for a teacher, librarian or counselor position is a Bachelor's Degree.

If you are hired without completing a Teacher's Education Program, you have a maximum of 3 years to obtain a valid Hawaii teaching license. You must enroll in a Program to continue employment with the Department. Within each year of employment, you must satisfactorily demonstrate active pursuit towards meeting Hawaii licensing requirements, as set forth by the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board (HTSB). It is your responsibility to ensure the program you have enrolled is aligned with the teaching line you are hired in.

Upon hire you will need to have a valid Hawaii teaching license or Emergency Hire Permit. You may apply for your Hawaii teaching license on the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board Website ( https://hawaiiteacherstandardsboard.org/ ).

Please visit www.teachinhawaii.org to review the eligibility requirements for all bonuses, differentials, and initial salary placement. To obtain a Hawaii Teaching License, which is required to receive any salary differentials, please apply with the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board at www.hawaiiteacherstandardsboard.org .

For more information about this school, please visit their website at: https://www.makalapael.org/