Pahoa High & Intermediate – Grade 9-12 English / Digital Media Teacher (2024-01835)
SCHOOL HISTORY
HISTORY
Pahoa High & Intermediate School was originally Pahoa School established in 1910. In 1914, the school was known as Pahoa High and Elementary School. The school served students from the rural Puna District communities. Students were being bused in as far away as Volcano. The original buildings on campus are still in use including the front High School building, the gymnasium and two of the elementary school buildings.
The original main elementary school building was torn down in 1979. A new two story building and portable classes replaced it. On the High School and Intermediate School campus, a new parking lot adjacent to the gymnasium, a three story classroom building, a two story building and six new one story buildings were constructed. The following year, another two story building along with a new cafeteria, a track and football field, basketball and tennis courts and a baseball and softball field were added on the High School side. In 1981 a 45 space parking lot was constructed behind the Intermediate School along with a few portable classrooms.
In the late 1970s, the school population grew when the rural Puna district was sectioned off into subdivisions after the Sugar industry went under. Pahoa High & Intermediate School doubled in size during this period, and many new buildings were built on the campus. In 1993, Pahoa Elementary School separated from Pahoa High and Intermediate. In 1999, Keaau High School was constructed ten miles away to relieve Pahoa High & Intermediate Schools overcrowded student body, virtually downsizing it in half. In 2011, a new gymnasium opened on the south end of the campus, adjacent to the athletic fields.
Description
Pahoa High & Intermediate School (PHIS) occupies 23 acres in the lower Puna District of the island of Hawai'i, a geographic area half the size of O'ahu. Puna contains a widely diverse population with an overall socioeconomic status below state averages. Pahoa Village is connected to the city of Hilo, 20.6 miles away, by one roadway and has limited county bus service. Most of the working populace is employed in Hilo, while others rely on the limited jobs available in agriculture, schools and small businesses. PHIS is surrounded by 22 subdivisions, and many lack public transportation, county water, electricity, telephone, paved roads and shopping areas. Students are not able to walk to school from many of these subdivisions. A substantial number of PHIS students qualify and receive a variety of special services. In spite of the district's geographic size and diverse population. PHIS has been very successful in providing students with opportunities for learning beyond the academic setting. Pahoa High & Intermediate School received a bronze medal ranking by US News & World Report in 2012, out of 21,776 US high schools evaluated. The school won $5,500 as one of the 18 schools nationwide selected as GRAMMY Signature Schools, an award program honoring top U.S. public schools for their outstanding commitment to music education. PHIS was one of six Hawai'i schools recognized by the Hawai'i State Department of Education for energy conservation and environmental efforts in the inaugural Green Ribbon Schools program. Also, the school won the Keep America Beautiful "Recycle-Bowl" national recognition award for Hawai'i in 2012, for its contribution in reducing greenhouse gases through its recycling program.
In January 2012, Pahoa High & Intermediate School celebrated the opening of its 1,000 seat gymnasium as the new home for Dagger sports and schoolwide activities. For the prior 69 years, the county gym was utilized for athletic and school events. The agriculture program prepares students by teaching life long skills in agriculture and related fields, as well as increasing students' awareness of the global and technological importance of agriculture. Intermediate school students are provided with free after school online tutoring and a variety of character building activities. The Transition Center facilitates programs that prepare for post-graduate programs through work experiences that include the Education and Career Opportunities System (ECOS), Early College Running Start, Upward Bound, and internships. Additionally, PHIS helps students develop character building attributes, which promote effective communication and citizenry. We believe these efforts help students realize our school's vision of succeeding as "a graduate who has the skills and knowledge to succeed socially, personally, and academically in a global society."
U.S. News & World Report awarded Pahoa High & Intermediate School a bronze medal recognizing the school as one of the 2013 Best High Schools ranking.
Pahoa High and Intermediate provides rigorous standards-based education and tailors interventions to meet students' needs. Data is shared weekly through professional learning communities, where professional development for educators is also planned. The school has established a monthly peer walkthrough for teachers to observe good practices.
Minimum Qualifications
The Hawaii State Department of Education is committed to hiring highly qualified teachers in every classroom. With the exception of designated Career and Technology Education (CTE) positions, the minimum qualification to apply for a teacher, librarian or counselor position is a Bachelor's Degree.
If you are hired without completing a Teacher's Education Program, you have a maximum of 3 years to obtain a valid Hawaii teaching license. You must enroll in a Program to continue employment with the Department. Within each year of employment, you must satisfactorily demonstrate active pursuit towards meeting Hawaii licensing requirements, as set forth by the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board (HTSB). It is your responsibility to ensure the program you have enrolled is aligned with the teaching line you are hired in.
Upon hire you will need to have a valid Hawaii teaching license or Emergency Hire Permit. You may apply for your Hawaii teaching license on the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board Website (https://hawaiiteacherstandardsboard.org/).
Supplemental Information
Please visit www.teachinhawaii.org to review the eligibility requirements for all bonuses, differentials, and initial salary placement. To obtain a Hawaii Teaching License, which is required to receive any salary differentials, please apply with the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board at www.hawaiiteacherstandardsboard.org.
For more information about this school, please visit their website at: https://www.pahoahis.org/
Certificated 10-Month Teachers Enjoy a Range Of Competitive Benefits
- Compensation: 10-month teachers shall be compensated for the applicable Bargaining Unit 05 10-month salary schedule for working a 10-month work year. Salaries, Benefits, and Support - Teach in Hawaii
- 18 Days of Paid Sick Leave and State/Federal Holidays: 10-month teachers receive 18 days of paid sick leave (of which 6 can be utilized for personal and/or professional development purposes) during the school year provided that all conditions under the respective collective bargaining agreement are met.
- Health Insurance: If eligible, the State pays a part of the premiums for each employee's enrollment in a State sponsored Medical, Drug, Vision, and Adult Dental Plan. For more information, please visit the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund | Home to see premiums and contributions for Bargaining Unit 05 members.
- Group Life Insurance: The State provides a free life insurance policy for employees and retirees.
- Premium Conversion Plan: Participating employees may increase their take-home pay by having the State deduct the cost of health care premiums before payroll taxes are withheld.
- Flexible Spending Accounts: Eligible employees can reduce their federal and state income taxes and social security taxes through a tax-savings benefit program called Island Flex (nbsbenefits.com) This program allows employees to set aside money from their paychecks to pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and eligible dependent care expenses on a BEFORE-TAX basis.
- Retirement Plan: The State contributes to a retirement plan for eligible employees. Generally, employees with at least 10 years of credited service and who have reached 62 years of age or have 30 years of credited service and are 55 years old may retire and receive benefits. For more information, please visit ERS (ehawaii.gov)
- Tax Shelter Annuity (TSA): If eligible, Department employees are able to participate in a tax shelter annuity program. The TSA plan allows eligible employees to contribute pre-tax dollars to an employee-selected investment service provider authorized to provide TSA products.
- Deferred Compensation: The State offers employees a tax deferred (sheltered) retirement investment program. This program is an opportunity to build a retirement nest egg through voluntary payroll deductions. Several investment options are available.
- Temporary Disability Insurance: Qualified employees may be eligible to receive benefits for a disability caused by a non-work related injury or illness under this program.
- Social Security: As an employer, the State also contributes to an employee's social security account.
- Workers' Compensation: If an employee is injured while on the job, benefits covering medical expenses and partial wage support may be available through workers' compensation.
- Union & Collective Bargaining: Employees have the right to join the union for collective bargaining with the State and employee representation. Some employee unions provide discounts, insurance and other opportunities. 12-Month Teachers are represented by the Hawaii State Teachers Association. More information can be found at by visiting the HSTA.