ALOHA KE AKUA Ms. Monica Mata, God is Love (office) or via e-mail at klwong@ksbe.edu. I look forward to getting to know you and introducing your keiki to the God for whom our founder loved. Mahalo for your prayerful s u p p o r t a s w e j o u r n e y together through this 2017-2018 Na Iēhova oe e hoʻomaika i mai, ā e mālama mai May the Lord bless you and keep you in His care Nui ke aloha o Pauahi i Ke Akua, kona poʻe Hawaiʻi, ka imi naʻauao ana a me ka mālama ana i nā mea pono o kona lāhui. Great was Pauahi s love for God and the Hawaiian people, whom she served Consequently, Kamehameha Schools is grounded in the Christian and Hawaiian values embraced by Ke Ali i Pauahi. (KS Values Statement) 1
Elementary Christian Education Courses: While the Christian Education classes are not graded, the curriculum is nevertheless structured and builds on each successive year. Papa Mālaaʻo haumāna are introduced to God through songs, activities and bible stories of the Old Testament. Beginning with creation and journeying through the lives of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, they become aware of who Ke Akua is and how the love of Ke Akua influences the lives of people. Papa ʻEkahi haumāna continue to learn about who God is and how the love of Ke Akua is revealed in the Old Testament. With songs and activities; focusing on the lives of Joseph, Moses, Joshua and others; students come to a greater understanding of the loving and personal God of the bible. Papa ʻElua haumāna are given a brief overview to the bible (history, contents and format) and are taught how to locate scripture in the Bible. Using various songs, activities, and gospel stories, students learn about Jesus - his birth, life, character and purpose. Haumāna in Papa ʻEkolu continue to learn about Jesus and his teachings, particularly the kingdom of God in heaven and on earth. Through music, activities and personal reflection, the focus of the curriculum is on the parables Jesus taught, and its application to the student s life. 2
Elementary Christian Education Courses cont: Building on the foundation of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), Papa ʻEha will focus on the Holy Spirit and how we were created in the image of God. Through songs, activities, bible and contemporary role models; students are challenged to develop a Christ-like character. The focus of the curriculum for Papa ʻElima is Christianity in Hawai i. The 5th grade haumāna will explore the growth of the Christian faith in Hawai i through the efforts of Opukahaia, Ka ahumanu, Keōpūolani and other influential Hawaiian leaders. Please visit my blog site: http://blogs.ksbe.edu/momata/elementary/ Students will attend monthly ʻEkalesia (chapels), dressed appropriately in chapel uniform white polo and long pants or skirt/skort/jumper. Services are conducted by a worship team: Kahu Wong and I are joined by our Specialist Team Praise Band, along with various student readers and performers.
Supplemental Christian Education: In addition to the formal Papa Kalikiano (Christian Education program), our core Homeroom Kumu conduct morning devotions (an encouraging story/ inspiring thought/ time of prayer) with their class each day. With prayers learned with our Hawaiian Language and Culture Specialists, Kumu Kawehi and Kumu Kau i, nā haumāna offer pule before meals. Voluntary supplemental programs for leadership development, Christian fellowship, and performing arts are also offered throughout the year. Na Alaka i o Iesū is a team of hāumana in Papa ʻElima who love Jesus and desire to express their faith through worship, discipleship and service. Good News Clubs are elementary gatherings for bible stories and studies, singing and prayer. Through our afterschool program, students may sign up for Praise in Motion (Ka Hana Hoʻonani), a time to praise Ke Akua through song, sign language and creative movement. Students perform in ʻEkalesia what they have created this club. Finally, haumāna are regularly prayed for and pray for one another as they are encouraged to share any praise or prayer concerns that may be on their hearts. About Me: I was a student of the Kamehameha Schools Kapālama campus from elementary and upon graduation, attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where I subsequently received my Bachelors of Arts degree in Developmental Psychology. I completed my graduate studies towards a Masterʻs degree in Marriage and Family Therapy with the Schools of Professional Psychology at Argosy University and a Certificate in the Biblical Studies Program with the Bible Institute of Hawaii. I have over 30 years of church ministry and teaching experience, including 14 years as a Youth Director and 7 years as the Director of Christian Education on Oahu. I moved to Maui in 2003 to teach at the KS Maui campus and I am richly blessed to be able to contribute to Ke Aliʻi Pauahiʻs ongoing legacy. 4
Philosophy of Education: As a Christian Educator in a Kula Kalikiano (Christian School), my ultimate goal is to introduce our students to: 1) Ke Akua Mana Loa, The Almighty God of the universe, who created us and who desires to be in pilina (relationship) with us as Ka Makua Lani (our Heavenly Father), 2) Iesū Kristo, Jesus Christ, our Savior, Redeemer and Friend and 3) Ka Uhane Hemolele, The Holy Spirit, our Comforter and Guide. As such, these are the Key Values of the Elementary Christian Education Program: 1: Ka Baibala Hemolele (The Holy Bible) is to be considered the authoritative source for truth and instruction, providing principles and guidelines for living (2 Timothy 3:16). 2: A Christian Lifestyle begins with following Jesus, who states that we are to Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:30-31). 3: While God has placed a great responsibility in the hands of Christian Educators, the ultimate responsibility for educating a child lies with their ʻohana. So, it is my desire to prayerfully partner with mākua and kūpuna as they train and equip their keiki for their life journey. (Proverbs 22:6) Classroom Management: As a Christian Educator in a Kula Kalikiano, I have the responsibility to nurture our students by helping them develop community and to become aware of and utilize their God-given gifts and talents. Students are expected to show respect for others, their environment and most importantly themselves. However, recognizing the wide variety of learning styles and multiple intelligences that our haumāna possess, my teaching style takes this into consideration and makes accommodations for these differences. While we are all made in the image of God, we are also a product of a fallen world and thus imperfect people. Therefore, while haumāna are encouraged to take risks and seek excellence in all that they do, they are also encouraged to not fear failure. Mistakes are opportunities to learn and grow. While there are consequences for wayward behavior, expectations are in place to help them grow and to develop their potential. Haumāna who behave in a manner that is inappropriate or disrespectful will be reminded of the expectations. If they need further guidance, I will speak with them away from the class. In the rare occasion that further discipline is necessary, the counselor may be consulted and parents are informed. The involvement of administration would be the final resort if necessary. However ultimately, grace, mercy and love are the key components of any discipline. Mahalo me ka ha aha a, Ms. Monica 5