Teacher Workshop - Carrying Culture: Micronesia
About this Event
This workshop is open to all Hawaiʻi primary and secondary school teachers, offering lessons in curriculum, hands-on cultural activities, and exchange with fellow teachers, guest artists, and specialists. Staff and adminstrators are welcome.
Funding is available for neighbor island teacher airfare and lodging. Snacks and meals provided (vegetarian options available).
Registration deadline: October 14th, 2026
Registration fee: $25
An immersive K-12 teacher workshop empowering educators to integrate the rich history, vibrant arts, cultural traditions, and living stories of Micronesia directly into their classroom curricula, Carrying Culture: Micronesia will be held in conjunction with the exhibition at the East-West Center Gallery.
This one-day workshop will provide educators with insights into the cultures of Micronesia, context around Micronesian migration to Hawai‘i, and active-learning strategies that help students sustain their cultural and linguistic heritage. The strengths-based approach of this workshop helps educators to, in the words of the Multilingualism for Equitable Education Policy, “embrace, promote, and perpetuate multilingualism and multiculturalism to support and advance learners, families, and communities.”
The workshop, which brings in experts and leaders from the Micronesian community, also serves as a means of connecting educators with a broader network of support.
Workshop goals include helping educators:
- integrate art into the curriculum
- better understand the perspectives of Micronesian students and families
- develop an understanding of culturally responsive and culturally sustaining teaching, including strategies that support multilingualism
Participants will explore the historical, ecological and political contexts surrounding
Micronesian migration to Hawai‘i, and the continental United States and expand their understanding of shared cultural values within Micronesian communities in Hawai‘i through a variety of activities (gallery walk, hands-on art-making, presentations, videos, panel discussions, and enjoying traditional culinary offerings).
Tentative schedule below, subject to change.
Developed in partnership between the East-West Center Arts Program and the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council (PAAC), these workshops are designed to support, inspire, and equip Hawai'i’s teachers with globally-themed curriculum ideas, classroom skills, and community resources necessary for teacher and student success.
Supported by generous donors to the East-West Center Arts Program and Pacific and Asian Affairs Council.
Sat. Nov. 14th
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Registration and Coffee
Info: Check-in registration with coffee and pastries.
🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Welcome and Overview
Info: Welcome and overview of the EWC Arts Program and PAAC.
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Teacher Icebreaker and Introductions
Info: Get to know your fellow teachers!
🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Introduction to Micronesia
Info: A concise overview of the geography, history, and current events shaping the lives of Micronesians in Hawai'i.
🕑: 11:15 AM - 11:25 AM
Break
🕑: 11:25 AM - 12:15 PM
Guided Tour of the Ocean of Peace Exhibition
Info: Guided Tour of the EWC Gallery Exhibition
🕑: 12:15 PM - 12:55 PM
Lunch and Intro to Micronesia Q&A
Info: Chamorro food with Q&A with Dr. Mary Hattori.
🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:40 PM
Concurrent sessions (2 groups)
Info: The class is split into two groups for these concurrent sessions:
(A) Oceans of Reflection with Carol Ann Carl: Featuring the Oceans of Reflection traveling mural, Owning the Narrative is a Micronesian-led storytelling and justice initiative rooted in the belief that our personal stories hold the power to transform systems.
(B) Hands-on Culturally Sustaining Art Activity with Dr. Hattori.
Learn about culturally and linguistically sustaining pedagogy for Micronesian
students with specific strategies, lessons and activities that can be
adapted for students of other cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
🕑: 01:45 PM - 02:25 PM
Concurrent Sessions
Info: Groups switch rooms for round two of concurrent sessions:
(A) Oceans of Reflection with Carol Ann Carl
(B) Hands-on Culturally Sustaining Art Activity with Dr. Hattori
🕑: 02:25 PM - 02:45 PM
Break
🕑: 02:45 PM - 03:30 PM
Student Panel
Info: Panel discussion with local Micronesian students, facilitated by Carol Ann Carl.
🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:45 PM
Micronesian Movement
Info: Song and dance shared by a local Micronesian cultural group.
🕑: 04:45 PM - 04:55 PM
Break
🕑: 04:55 PM - 05:25 PM
Debrief and Reflections
Info: Debrief and share reflections.
🕑: 05:25 PM - 06:30 PM
Dinner
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 27.24
