A program recruiting Filipino teachers in Hawaii’s public schools is sparking a cultural revival. Student clubs are being revitalized, ethnic pride is growing and new courses on Filipino history and language are planned.

Started in 2020 with 10 teachers, the state Department of Education (DOE) aimed to address a chronic teacher shortage and increase Filipino representation in schools. 

However, the program’s impact goes beyond just filling vacancies.

James Urbaniak, the DOE’s lead recruiter, said in a recent interview that the program has sparked a “Filipino renaissance” at some schools. Filipino teachers are credited with reviving Filipino student clubs and boosting student pride in their heritage.

“Every principal has said the teachers are hardworking and have changed the campus culture positively,” Urbaniak told the Honolulu Civil Beat. 

He added that he has not heard any complaints about the teachers’ competence from parents.

The cultural exchange goes both ways. Filipino teachers are sharing their culture at their schools through various activities, while also learning about the diverse cultures of Hawaii. 

This knowledge will be imparted in their classes upon returning to the Philippines after their visas expire.

The program’s success is attributed not just to the teachers themselves, but also to the Filipino communities on the islands. 

These communities provided housing assistance and other support to the newly arrived teachers until they received their first paychecks.

Urbaniak emphasized the primary goal of the recruitment program is cultural exchange, not filling vacant positions, due to the requirements of the J-1 visas the teachers receive from the U.S. government.

While the state DOE continues to rely on emergency hires to fill some teaching positions, the Filipino teacher recruitment program is seen as a long-term solution. 

The program is expected to continue due to its positive outcomes and the persisting teacher shortage.

“Our research shows that we need to have educators who are reflective of our student population,” Urbaniak said in July 2023. 

He explained that it’s very powerful for students to feel inspired and motivated when they see a teacher who reminds them of their family and community.

Filipino students make up the largest ethnic group in Hawaii’s public schools, at 30% of the total enrollment.

The program’s impact is evident in the expansion of Filipino cultural offerings in schools. 

Two teachers at Farrington and Waipahu high schools will introduce new courses on Filipino history and culture next fall, while another teacher will offer a Philippine language course.