Help Puakea Attend International Conferences

Aloha, my name is Puakea Busby. I’m a former teacher and a current doctoral student. I have the opportunity to travel to two amazing educational conferences/institutes this semester, and I’m asking my community’s help to cover some of the costs. Your donation will help cover the cost of travel, which includes round trip airfare, transportation, accommodation, and conference registration fees. The total cost for the two trips will be about $3,000.00. I’m raising $2,000.00 to cover most of the cost.

My Education Background:

As an educator with over 13 years of experience serving diverse communities, I’m excited to build on my teaching experience and complete a PhD in education. I’ve taught in public school, non-profit, and public charter school settings, serving Indigenous, immigrant, and refugee populations, which has given me a unique perspective on education. My dream is to use my PhD to develop culture-based, equitable education policies, curriculum, and teacher preparation to better our public education system.

Travel Opportunities:

Melbourne, Australia - November 2024

I was selected to present a research project at an international educational conference. I was able to complete a research study called Aloha ʻĀina Education: Rebuilding an Indigenous Teacher Force in Hawaiʻi. My project explores the connection between Hawaiian Culture-Based Education (HCBE) and the recruitment and retention of Native Hawaiian teachers. Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander teachers make up only 13% of the teacher force in Hawaiʻi despite nearly 30% of students identifying as NHPI. The teachers who participated in my research expressed positive impacts of teaching Aloha ‘Āina Education on their teaching ability, school relationships, and job satisfaction.

This pilot research study has inspired my dissertation topic, which will focus in depth on the impacts of HCBE on NHPI teachers. Research exists about how this type of culture-based education impacts students, but little to no research has been done about how it impacts educators. I’m excited to represent Hawaiʻi at this international Oceania conference where I’ll get to share and exchange ideas with educators and researchers from all over the Pacific.

Tucson, Arizona - October 2024

I was selected to attend a special ethnic studies institute that focuses on deepening my knowledge about settler colonialism, borders, immigration, and occupation. This institute connects various struggles around the world. Attending will help strengthen my knowledge about how to teach important social justice issues and build my leadership skills. I believe that in order to transform our education systems, as educators, we need to be knowledgeable about issues around the world because they are connected to our own local issues. From my participation in this institute, I’ll be able to develop culturally-relevant curriculum that can be used in classrooms in Hawaiʻi.

Mahalo for supporting me! It means so much to me.

Me ke aloha nui,

Puakea