Pacific Educational Conference

Last Year's PEC

The Pacific Educational Conference (PEC) is one of the largest educational conferences in the western Pacific and a major source of professional development opportunities for educators. The PEC is organized by Pacific educators for Pacific educators, who also present the majority of the workshops. Island communities in the U.S.-affiliated Pacific and their departments and ministries of education (DOEs/MOEs) and public school systems (PSSs) take turns hosting the PEC.

PEC 2007 took place in Honolulu, Hawai‘i from July 9 to 12. It was cohosted by the Hawai‘i DOE, the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa College of Education (UHCOE), and Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL).

PREL evaluators have prepared a conference summary report for PEC 2007. It contains detailed information, including results from a survey of participants.

The Presenter Information and Participant Information pages contain further information and links to online and downloadable registration and presenter forms.

Theme

The PEC 2007 theme is Language Acquisition: Knowledge That Empowers. School systems throughout the Pacific islands are working to build their capacity to assist districts and schools in meeting the needs of all students by: (a) identifying and implementing proven practices and programs; (b) strengthening teacher quality; and (c) building and sustaining systemic support for school improvement, resulting in closing achievement gaps and improving achievement outcomes.

Professional

The PEC provides intensive professional development for education professionals. Concurrent sessions will include:

  • 1.5-hour awareness sessions, which will provide opportunities to exchange ideas and develop professional growth.
  • 3- to 15-hour skill building workshops, which are limited to 30 participants to allow for maximum interaction.
  • 3-hour networking meetings, which will provide opportunities to exchange ideas and develop professional relationships.

Workshop presentations are geared to meet the interests of a wide variety of special interest groups. Workshops are subject to cancellation.

Conference Program

PEC provides intensive professional development for education professionals. The PEC program booklet contains welcome letters, an awardees’ section, and a complete listing of workshops with descriptions. The following links include the conference schedule, the "At-A-Glance" list of workshop titles by strand, and the complete list of workshops.

Conference Site

PEC 2007 will take place at McKinley High School at 1039 South King Street in Honolulu. The historic school is centrally located between Waikiki and Honolulu’s central business district and has beautifully restored facilities, including a 1,000+ seat auditorium. Workshop sessions will be held in up to 30 classrooms, some newly renovated. Exhibitors will have ample space in the school cafeteria. Lunch vendors will also use the cafeteria to sell bentos and drinks, with both indoor and outdoor seating available. There are various courtyards and informal meeting spaces. Parking is plentiful, and the school is easily accessible by bus. Arrangements are being made for on-campus security and health room needs.

Those driving to McKinley High School should enter through the Pensacola Street entrance. Pensacola is a one-way street, with traffic moving in the mauka (mountain) to makai (ocean) direction. The entrance to the parking lot is located near 634 Pensacola Street, right before the McKinley High School Community School for Adults. Look for the PEC 2007 banner.

Speakers and Presenters

A number of dignitaries and educators from across the Pacific and the continental United States will be presenting and speaking at the PEC. Mayor Mufi Hannemann, Honolulu, Hawai‘i; Dr. Graham Smith, New Zealand; Dr. Gerry Madrazo, Honolulu, Hawai‘i; Dr. Robin Scarcella, University of California at Irvine; Governor Linda Lingle, Hawai‘i; Master Navigator, Nainoa Thompson, Honolulu, Hawai‘i; Dr. Linda Smith, Nga Pae o te Maramatanga, New Zealand; Dr. Sharon Nelson-Barber, WestEd, California; Dr. Elizabeth McKinley, University of Auckland, New Zealand; Dr. Hilda Heine, PREL, Republic of the Marshall Islands; Dr. Margaret Maaka, University of Hawai‘i; Dr. Raymond Barnhardt, University of Alaska; Dr. Jo-Ann Archibald, First Nations House of Learning, University of British Columbia, Canada; Dr. Rita Inos, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; Dr. Michael L. Kamil, Stanford University; Dr. Dorothy Strickland, Rutgers University; Dr. Jana Echevarria, California State University, Long Beach; Dr. Anne Cunningham, University of California at Berkeley; Dr. Gerald Duffy, University of North Carolina.

Extracurricular Activities

There are numerous sites to enjoy while visiting the busy gathering place of O‘ahu. You may wish to take a tour that can show you the dramatic beauty of Hawai‘i from Hanauma Bay to the treacherous big waves of O‘ahu's North Shore. Several historical sites, such as the Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, the ‘Iolani Palace, and the Bishop Museum, offer the rich history that's woven throughout Hawai‘i. In addition, there are entertaining outings for the family at the Honolulu Zoo, the Waikiki Aquarium, and the Hawai‘i Children's Discovery Center.

The Pacific Educational Conference (PEC) committee has acquired the following discounts at attractions for participants and their family members:

  • Bishop Museum: Search their website to learn about our rich Hawaiian heritage. The Museum houses an extensive collection of Hawai‘i artifacts and heirlooms. Participants can benefit from the discounted entrance fee to visit from July 4–18, 2007.
    • Adult entrance fee: $9.95.
    • Children (4–12 years old) entrance fee: $6.95.
    • Participants are eligible for the discounted entrance fee when they display their PEC 2007 badge. Family members and friends must be present with the PEC participant to benefit from this discount.
  • Honolulu Zoo: Search their website and you'll find it is the largest zoo within a radius of 2,300 miles. This unique zoo is the only zoo in the United States originating from a King's grant of royal lands to the people.
    • Reduced adult entrance fee is granted to all adult family members: $4.00.
    • Children 6 years and older: $1.00.
    • Children under 6 years: free.
    • Participants will need to display their PEC 2007 badge.
  • Iolani Palace: The ‘Iolani Palace was the official residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom's last two monarchs. 
    • The Palace is open Tuesday to Saturday every week.
    • A group rate of $15.00 for adults with a minimum of 10 visitors is offered if reservations are made 1 week in advance.
    • The children's rate remains at $5.00.
    • Guided tours are available from 9:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
    • Audio tours are available from 11:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC), one of the top visitor destination and home to seven Polynesian cultural villages.
    • Special rates are being offered to PEC 2007 participants.

You'll find many opportunities to experience the "aloha spirit" and Hawai‘i's rich heritage. You may wish to review the Roberts Hawaii website for guided evening and day tours. Please enjoy the conference and the exciting sites on O‘ahu!

Opening and Closing PEC 2007 Ceremonies

Your family and friends can join PEC participants in experiencing the gala festivities, excellent food, and warm company at the opening or closing ceremonies. Tickets to attend will be sold at the PEC registration site for the following:

  • Opening dinner and ceremonies on July 9, 2007: $20.00
  • Closing luncheon and ceremonies on July 12, 2007: $15.00

Special Invitation to PEC Attendees

81st Annual American School Health Association Conference
July 9–13, 2007
Ala Moana Hotel in Honolulu, HI

Health Literacy in Many Cultures

Health literacy, a public health priority, encompasses the cognitive and social skills that enable people to gain access to, understand, and use information to make informed choices. Developing literacy skills is a major function of schools, which are in a unique position to further the health literacy of students and staff. Many sessions will relate to improving health literacy individually and in the classroom or within groups, and will contain an emphasis on coordinated school health.

The American School Health Association’s (ASHA’s) members are the administrators, health educators, school nurses, mental health professionals, physicians, physical educators, nutritionists, and community members who work together to promote, protect, and improve the health, safety, and well-being of all those attending or working in schools. For more information about ASHA, please visit our website at http://www.ashaweb.org/.

Please consider this invitation to participate in ASHA’s conference by attending any of our workshops and/or the Friday, July 13th “Peek of ASHA” for $55. You can register for the Sunday, Monday afternoon, Wednesday evening, or Friday workshops by completing a conference registration. If you opt to join us for the Friday Peek, please pay the student 1-day fee listed on the registration form. Please indicate by writing on the form or typing in the promotional code box (if registering online) that you are registering for “Friday’s PEC Peek.” Conference information and the registration form are available on our website at: www.ashaweb.org/annual_conferences.html.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact:

  • Mary Bamer Ramsier
  • Meeting Planner & CE Coordinator
  • American School Health Association
  • PO Box 708/7263 State Route 43
  • Kent, OH 44240
  • (330) 678-1601 x127

Conference Activities

The PEC continues to expand each year with stimulating activities. In addition to an opening ceremony welcoming visitors to the island and a closing ceremony to celebrate the success of being lifelong learners, PEC also offers:

  • An Exhibit Hall allowing businesses and nonprofit organizations to display products, where participants may visit with exhibitors to preview new materials and share ideas.
  • A Student Forum allowing high school students to participate in group discussions, study visits, and the PEC workshops sponsored each year by the Close-Up Foundation.

For more information, contact:

  • PEC 2007 Organizing Committee
  • ATTN: Gloria Kishi
  • 475 22nd Avenue
  • Honolulu, HI 96816
  • Email: pec2007@hawaii.edu

Contact PREL

Pacific Resources for Education and Learning
Phone:
(808) 441-1300
U.S. Toll-free Phone:
(800) 377-4773

AskPREL

Updated on Thursday, March 27, 2008

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