1. Graduation
In their final semester, teacher candidates should obtain an application for graduation at the Office of Student Academic Services (OSAS) in Everly Hall. Applications and the degree fee must be submitted to the UHM Cashier’s Office by the deadlines specified in the UHM Calendar. Student teachers should contact their OSAS Advisor for more information.
2. Licensure
Teacher candidates attend a special student teaching seminar with the Hawai’i Teacher Standards Board on applying for a Hawai’i Teaching License. Teacher candidates can learn more at the HTSB website.
3. Employment
Teacher candidates attend a special student teaching seminar with the Hawai’i Department of Education about applying for employment. To learn more, please visit the Hawai‘i Department of Education via the link provided above.
Teacher candidates who want to explore opportunities for employment with Hawaii Public Charter Schools must apply directly with the individual charter school. Students who want to explore opportunities for employment with a Hawaii private school must apply directly with the individual private school.
4. Placement File
At the teacher candidate’s request, OSAS also will create a Placement File that can be mailed out to support the student’s application for teaching or other employment. To establish a Placement File the student must fill out a Release of Information Card, available from OSAS.
OSAS forwards the placement file to potential employers upon the student’s request, either in person or in writing. OSAS normally takes five working days to process a request. Contact OSAS for information at (808) 956-7849 (O‘ahu) or see your neighbor island OSAS Advisor.
5. Letters of Recommendation
The student can place a maximum of three Teacher Placement and Employment Recommendation forms or letters of recommendation in the file from individuals who are able to make a professional evaluation of the student’s teaching skills and potential. The forms are available in OSAS. Each student must determine whether he or she wants an open or a closed placement file. Students may read the recommendations in an open file, but they are not allowed to read the recommendations in a closed file.
Teacher Placement and Employment Recommendation forms or letters of recommendation must be delivered or mailed directly to OSAS by the individual who wrote them. Letters addressed to the student or any other second party will not be accepted.
6. Student Teaching Evaluation
A student’s Final Evaluation of Student Teaching will be placed in their permanent OSAS placement file. The Hawai’i DOE requires the final evaluation as part of the application for employment. The College of Education does not automatically provide the HIDOE with a teacher candidate’s Final Evaluation of Student Teaching. Teacher candidates applying for employment with the HIDOE must request that a copy of their placement file be sent to the HIDOE.
7. Transcripts
Students go to the Office of Admissions and Records to have their official UHM transcripts with degree notation sent to prospective employers (DOE, for example).