High school students on Leeward Coast committed to reducing teacher shortage after college

The students all hope to become teachers one day.

"I think it's important for us to come back and teach the next generation," said Tabitha Slover, a junior at Waianae High School.

The students are also committed to teaching in their hometowns on the Leeward Coast.

"I do want to come home this is been my home for a while now," said Alexys Wilhelm, a senior at Kapolei High School, who was recently accepted to Penn State.

For many students- the calling to the classroom comes amid a statewide teacher shortage. The Leeward Coast is one of the areas most affected by the crisis.

"We have a lot of classrooms where we have long-term substitute or teachers who are brand new and emergency hires," said Dr. Camille Hampton, the Education Pathway Coordinator.

Students in the program believe temporary solutions, like long-term substitutes, often make learning more difficult and sometimes less engaging.

"We didn't have actual field experience like we were supposed to," said Slover.

"They're not with you through the whole year," said Wilhelm, :so I want someone that I can bond with, someone I can build rapport with throughout the year, so they can know me and how do I learn, what are my learning styles."

Instead of getting frustrated, students like Wilhelm and Slover enrolled in UH West Oahu's Teaching and Learning Academy, hoping to be the change their community needs.

"I think when you have people who are coming from the community there is a desire to get to the students and to be able to give back," said Dr. Hampton.

Students in the program said they want a better future for the communities they call home-- and for them that starts with teaching students in the classroom.

"I have a passion for it already so I'm fine," said Slover, "I don't have to get paid, that's just a bonus."

Even if it means sacrificing their wages for the greater good.