On Thursday, October 22, Dr. Andee Blackwell, Hanahauʻoli School's Director of Faculty and Curriculum for Upper Elementary, will join Pamela Strode, a current Hanahauʻoli parent and Owner and Director of Strode Montessori School, to present "Eyes Wide Open: Transforming Teaching Through Observation" to educators from across Hawaiʻi at the 2026 Schools of the Future Conference.
Dr. Blackwell has over 15 years of experience in education, with particular expertise in Montessori philosophy and practice. She holds a PhD in Education and a Master's degree in Montessori Education. Throughout her career, she has taught elementary-aged children, trained and mentored educators, coordinated curriculum and faculty development, consulted with Montessori schools, and contributed to educational research as a research consultant for the American Montessori Society.
Together, Dr. Andee and Mrs. Strode will explore how educators can transform everyday classroom observations into powerful tools for reflection, professional growth, and more responsive teaching practices.
Transforming Teaching Through Observation
Observation is an essential part of effective teaching. Throughout the school day, educators continually assess student engagement, recognize social-emotional needs, identify learning challenges, and look for opportunities to deepen understanding. But what happens when teachers approach these observations with greater intention, structure, and purpose?
In their workshop, Dr. Blackwell and Mrs. Strode will introduce a practical framework for making classroom observations more systematic and meaningful. Participants will learn how to develop targeted observation guides that focus on specific students, behaviors, activities, or moments throughout the school day.
By collecting and reflecting on these observations, educators can identify patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed. Whether recognizing challenging classroom transitions, understanding why students avoid certain subjects, or identifying opportunities for deeper engagement, intentional observation helps teachers make informed instructional decisions that better support each child's development.
Importantly, the workshop also encourages educators to turn their observations inward, reflecting on how their own instructional approaches, classroom environments, and interactions influence student learning. This emphasis on thoughtful observation and continuous reflection aligns closely with Hanahauʻoli School's progressive educational philosophy, which places children at the center of the learning experience and recognizes teachers as lifelong learners.
About the Schools of the Future Conference
The annual Schools of the Future (SOTF) Conference is Hawaiʻi's largest educational gathering of its kind, bringing together teachers, school leaders, and education professionals from public, independent, and charter schools across the state. The conference is produced through a partnership involving the Hawaiʻi Association of Independent Schools, Hawaiʻi Department of Education, Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, and Hawaiʻi Society for Technology in Education.
By participating in this statewide exchange of ideas, Hanahauʻoli educators continue to contribute to a shared culture of professional learning, inquiry, and innovation that extends beyond our campus and into classrooms and learning communities throughout Hawaiʻi.