SSCR1073

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1073

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 544, 545, 546

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 544, 545, and 546, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Hawai`i Teacher Standards Board

G.M. No. 544

LOUISE CAYETANO,

for a term to expire 6-30-2014 (Term amended to 6-30-2013 by GM576);

G.M. No. 545

WRAY JOSE,

for a term to expire 6-30-2014 (Term amended to 6-30-2012 by GM576); and

G.M. No. 546

BARRY WURST,

for a term to expire 6-30-2014,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and find Louise Cayetano, Wray Jose, and Barry Wurst to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Louise Cayetano from the Governor, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Principal of Mayor Joseph J. Fern Elementary, and three individuals.

Ms. Cayetano attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Central Washington State University. She is currently a fifth grade teacher at Mayor Joseph J. Fern Elementary School in Honolulu. Ms. Cayetano previously taught at Laihoku Elementary School and Lanakila Elementary School.

Ms. Cayetano has served as a member of the Hawaii Science Teachers Association and the Executive Board of the Hawaii State Teachers Association. She has also served as a board member of the Alliance for Drama Education and is a member of the Hawaii Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa.

Ms. Cayetano has been successful in working with the University of Hawaii to earn Fern Elementary the technological tools, such as videoconferencing equipment, to allow her students to form partnerships with schools in Samoa and Japan. Ms. Cayetano was also instrumental in bringing the Asian, European, Pacific Language foreign language program to Fern Elementary. Ms. Cayetano is constantly looking for ways to provide her students with broader educational opportunities.

Ms. Cayetano expressed to your Committee that she wishes to serve on the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board because she believes that all students deserve highly qualified teachers who can provide them with the necessary skills to become productive citizens.

As a member of the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, Ms. Cayetano hopes to help develop a more positive image of the Board. She expressed to your Committee that it is important that the Board foster more connectivity with teachers by engaging in outreach activities such as volunteering to help with school improvement projects.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Wray Jose from the Governor, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Moanalua High School, and one individual.

Mr. Jose received his Bachelor of Arts degree and Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Hawaii. Mr. Jose is currently a Social Studies teacher at Moanalua High School, serving as the Social Studies Department Chairperson from 2002 to 2004. In 2004 Mr. Jose was named the State of Hawaii History Teacher of the Year.

Mr. Jose has also served as a mentor to new and beginning teachers, as well as a mentor to student teachers. He continues to mentor new teachers as a member of the Moanalua High School Professional Development Team. Mr. Jose is a member of many professional and community service organizations, and is deeply involved in professional development as a presenter and participant.

Mr. Jose served as a member of the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board from 2005 to 2007. Mr. Jose expressed to your Committee that during his previous service on the Board, he was involved with moving the Board toward policies that liberalized licensure requirements to assist in the recruitment and retention of instructors for hard-to-fill positions. Mr. Jose stated that he sees his responsibility as a Board member is to "serve as a guardian of high academic and ethical standards for teachers while continuing to provide greater opportunities for teachers to demonstrate qualifications for licensure".

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Barry Wurst from the Governor, Hawaii State Teachers Association, and seven individuals.

Mr. Wurst attended Maunaolu College and the University of Miami. He received his Master of Arts degree in Special Education from Fairleigh Dickenson University. Mr. Wurst has been a teacher with the Department of Education since 1987 and is currently a special education teacher.

Mr. Wurst is an active participant in several organizations. He belongs to the National Education Association, Association for Advancement of Ethical Hypnosis, and Airline Owners and Pilots Association. He is also a Captain and Aerospace Education Officer in the Civil Air Patrol. Mr. Wurst is also a member of the Maui County Commission for Citizens with Disabilities.

As a certified and licensed teacher and former independent business person, Mr. Wurst brings a diverse background to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board. Mr. Wurst understands and appreciates the need to focus on quality instruction and increased professionalism among teachers. His years of serving as a faculty representative and chairperson of the Hawaii State Teachers Association Negotiations Committee have given him a unique prospective not only on the needs of teachers but also those of the school administration as well. These experiences will serve Mr. Wurst well as a member of the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board.

When asked to identify his long-term goal as a Hawaii Teacher Standards Board member, Mr. Wurst replied that one long-term goal is to improve the recruitment and retention of highly qualified teachers through greater communication and cooperation among the Board of Education, Department of Education, Hawaii State Teachers Association, and Hawaii Teacher Standards Board. Mr. Wurst's second long-term goal is to ensure that special education teachers are adequately trained.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that are attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominees, has found the nominees to be qualified for the positions to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nominations.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

____________________________

JILL TOKUDA, Chair