Columnist

Ethan Porter

Ethan Onipaa Porter is a teacher with bachelor's degree in Hawaiian Studies and political science and a masters degree in education from Michigan State.
Hawaii Teacher: The Walkout As A Teachable Moment Ethan Porter/Civil Beat

Hawaii Teacher: The Walkout As A Teachable Moment

Students in my “Participation in Democracy” class have to tackle a project to change their community. This time the choice was simple.

Hawaii Teacher: Union Might Want To Rethink Its Annual Pep Rally Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Hawaii Teacher: Union Might Want To Rethink Its Annual Pep Rally

With a pivotal Supreme Court case pending, firing up the devoted seems less important than convincing non-members to join.

Hawaii Teacher: Reminding My Students South Korea Has It Much Worse North Korean Central News Agency

Hawaii Teacher: Reminding My Students South Korea Has It Much Worse

They came back to school still anxious about the false missile alarm, but they felt a little better after looking at a world map.

Hawaii Teacher: Talking Politics At Campbell High School Jared Rodriguez/Truthout.org

Hawaii Teacher: Talking Politics At Campbell High School

Students talk about rail and Ewa Beach issues with three legislators who provided lessons in contrasting styles.

Hawaii Teacher: Getting Legislators To My Democracy Class Wasn’t Easy Courtesy of Erin Yagi

Hawaii Teacher: Getting Legislators To My Democracy Class Wasn’t Easy

I wanted my Campbell High students to hear firsthand from their legislators, but only Matt LoPresti answered the call.

Hawaii Teacher: Socrates Had It All Wrong On Technology And Education Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Hawaii Teacher: Socrates Had It All Wrong On Technology And Education

Some people think the internet will ruin young minds, but it’s a tool that teachers must learn to use properly.

Hawaii Teacher: Welcome To The Islands — Now Help Us Improve Our Schools Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Hawaii Teacher: Welcome To The Islands — Now Help Us Improve Our Schools

Christina Kishimoto will have her work cut out for her when she becomes the state’s new superintendent of education Aug. 1.

Hawaii Teacher: The Reasons My Fellow Instructors Are Saying Goodbye Courtesy of Brandon Komatsu

Hawaii Teacher: The Reasons My Fellow Instructors Are Saying Goodbye

At the end of every school year, teachers look around and see colleagues who won’t be coming back.

Hawaii Teacher: New Contract Will Be Well-Received In Classrooms Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Hawaii Teacher: New Contract Will Be Well-Received In Classrooms

A 13.6 percent raise over four years is most welcome. Perhaps the union’s aggressive, out-in-the-open negotiations helped.