Deeper Learning
What is Deeper Learning?
Deeper Learning puts students at the center of their education. It encourages them to ask bold questions, make sense of new ideas, and use what they learn in ways that matter. Because it adapts to different schools and communities, it can thrive anywhere students are encouraged to explore and think for themselves.
Why Deeper Learning?
Every student deserves an education that prepares them for life beyond the classroom. Deeper learning moves beyond memorization, helping students connect their learning to the world around them. It fosters independence, curiosity, and the confidence to take on new challenges.
What Educators Are Saying
Sean Tajima
“Kupu Hou Academy allowed [Campbell-Kapolei] teachers to develop meaningful lessons by connecting [educators] to community agencies, getting feedback from students in the planning phase, and collaborating with colleagues statewide on common, local community and social issues.”
Sean Tajima, Complex Area Superintendent, Campbell-Kapolei
Danielle Gsoell
“Kupu Hou has helped me create an environment of inquiry, choice, and accountability in my classroom. Being encouraged to think outside of the box with my planning and curriculum has opened up real-world opportunities for my students to become active participants in their learning and active participants in their community.”
Danielle Gsoell, Kipapa Elementary
Maya Terhune
“The Kupu Hou experience has revitalized what is most rewarding about being an educator. The push to connect with real-life, solution-based work and to align this work with community partners has forced my team to think creatively, work collaboratively, and reflect all along the way about what makes us tick, personally and professionally.”
Maya Terhune, Hawai‘i Technology Academy
Amy Santos & CC Chung
“The training helped cultivate the required mindset necessary for PBL and inquiry to take root within ourselves. There needs to be a belief that learning and teaching through PBL and inquiry benefits students and teachers. It was through the four days of listening to teachers share previous projects and discussing ideas that mindsets and culture were cultivated.”
Amy Santos & CC Chung, Kaimiloa Elementary
Carrie Dietz Laforteza
“I feel I am more open and flexible with my students. The idea of letting go of control and giving more control over to my students was terrifying in the beginning, but now that my students have started asking more questions and are so much more engaged, I myself am enjoying teaching so much more. My students love coming to school each day. They are engaged and full of wonder and questions. That excites and drives me as a teacher!”
Carrie Dietz Laforteza, Ewa Elementary
Camille Woods
“The most reluctant teachers were reduced to tears because they left as firm believers and were grateful for the experience and training. Veteran teachers are not always eager to learn something new and are firm in the mindset of ‘if it isn’t broke, don’t change it,’ meaning what has always worked for them in their classrooms has been sufficient enough. So, for these seasoned teachers to leave the training completely transformed speaks volumes to what Kupu Hou provided.”
Camille Woods, BKM Complex Science Resource Teacher
Malaea Wetzel
“Being able to send the majority of our homeroom teachers to Kupu Hou has been one of the best professional development opportunities for our small school ever! Students loved the hands-on, relevant, and meaningful lessons. Overall, teachers and students seemed to enjoy school so much more. Above all, our Smarter Balanced test scores finally increased after three years of being stagnant in ELA and one year of dropping in math. Kupu Hou has really helped to change the way teaching and learning is happening at Hale‘iwa Elementary School.”
