The Team
Lynn Rasmussen, CEO, Mohala Media, LLC
Sydney Smith, creative web designer, Coloriginals Maui
Chris Reickert, web architect, CRdc, Inc.
Advisors and Consultants
Education/Youth
ThanhTruc Nguyen, University of Hawaii, Curriculum R&D Group, the University Laboratory School
Patricia Inman, CEO, Home School Learning Network, Inc.
Kawika Kaikala, Hawaiian youth organizer
Susun White, Paia Youth & Cultural Center, Executive Director
Matt Nathan, Ashoka Youth Ventures
Business
David Fisher, Maui Venture Consulting, LLC
Albert Larson, VP of Finance, Jelly Belly Candy Company
Jack Androvich, Sr. Director, WW Marketing, Research, Planning & Ops, Autodesk
Howard Mendelsohn, former CFO, Expedia; CEO, Avitar Partners
Ron Inman, SBIR contracts accountant, Oceanit, Inc.
Technology and Design
Ryan Rasmussen, web programmer, Internet Concourse
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I find it intriguing that even though you are a big supporter of Obama you are questioning the structure of the educational system and hopefully are questioning the NEA’s efforts to funnel even more money to it’s membership yet maintain the status quo.
Hawaii’s centrally organized DOE is quite dysfunctional, non-responsive to the parents that are critical and want to suggest improvements but if are not cheerleaders, are just ignored. It is failing miserably throughout the State after the elementary school level when measured against the No Child Left Behind program standards that sent more federal money to schools than ever before, but attempted to introduce some accountability.
My impression of the NEA’s support of Obama is that they hoped even more money would flow to the NEA’s membership and there would be a change in accountability - it would be more lax.
Both of my children, born and raised on Maui, are going to the mainland for their higher education as I fear the UH system is as dysfunctional as that under it and they deserve a broader experience.
Bill Curtis
Makawao
Frustrating, isn’t it?
The schools, NEA, and DOE are all part of the same bad system, with everyone doing the best that they can. Teachers’ accountability to what? Testing of 9-year-olds? Homework for 5-year-olds? Alignment with standards when their students are all over the standards map? I’m impressed that teachers do the job that they do–It’s tough to navigate through the mass of demands.
Hawaii’s DOE is overwhelmed with input-legislative mandates, federal, state, funding changes, changing philosophies and cultural demands, on and on.
It’s a system not designed for parent input. The job of a parent is “involvement,” but what that means is not always clear. Usually it means to make sure that your kids do homework and stay on top of what’s happening in class–in other words, rob the family and child of play time, time to just be together, rest, and time to pursue personal interests.
I think that everyone is doing the best they can in a system not designed for this century. I hope that icanology can help with the emergence of an entirely new system–a system that can help dedicated teachers and schools under seige, that’s more aligned with this new age of instant information, collectively formed knowledge, and emergent systems, and that’s just more fun.
Thanks for caring, and congratulations on your college-bound children!
Your thoughts are intriguing and will enjoy following your progress.
While watching your video on David’s Cool Projects Maui website, I kept thinking that the organizational system software by TheBrain.com would benefit your attempt to tie all these icans together. Check it out, you would know best.
Good luck with your new adventure!