Statement of Need: A major challenge of the Northwest Unified Schools is the lack of access to regular professional development programs to address the unique educational needs of these impoverished schools. Over the years, the teachers and principals have traveled hundreds of miles to the main island of Weno during the summer break to attend the one summer institute for all public school teachers and principals coordinated by the Chuuk State Department of Education. In 2012, as part of its statewide educational reform efforts, the department instituted a year-round academic calendar for all public schools, canceled its statewide summer institute, and shifted the full responsibility of teacher training to the school principals. Yet the principals have not been given proper training to be trainers. The cancellation of the summer training program has left the schools in the Northwest Unified Schools with no other option to develop a team of trainers to travel between all the fanapi outer islands in the Northwest Unified Schools to lead professional development workshops for the educators and the local communities.
Program Objective: Inspired by the master navigators (Paluwlap) from the fanapi islands who are world renowned for sailing the vast Pacific ocean on outrigger canoes using only our traditional knowledge of the stars, waves, and currents, the Paluwlap Leadership Training Team is a small team of trained trainers who will travel by outrigger canoes, boats, and planes to the Northwest region of Chuuk State. The team’s mission is to lead teacher training workshops, community discussions, and leadership engagement programs on each island to support educational improvement in the Northwest Unified Schools. The team would comprise of existing staff including the Northwest area supervisor, Steve Johnny, a representative from the Department of Education, and 2 experienced educators who will be identified from among existing staff.
Funding Need: Funds are needed for professional fees for consultants to develop and facilitate the training program, rent training facilities on Weno, provide room & board for the consultants and participants. Given the geographical distance of these fanapi islands, funds are also needed to purchase training supplies that are seaworthy for the team to take on their travels throughout the three Fanapi regions of Pattiw, Pafeng, and Namonweito atolls. Additional funding will be needed for minimal stipend for these trainers equivalent to the Travel Allowances to sustain their needs on these long voyages.
