Hanahauoli School
Introducing Progressive Philosophy & ...

It is with great pleasure that we write this inaugural post for our newly established blog, “Progressive Philosophy and Pedagogy: A Blog for Progressive Educators”. Designed to support the development of school communities that promote a better future society for today’s children, this online publication aims to further the worldwide progressive education movement by creating a collective thinkspace for progressive educators. Characterized by community, collaboration, diverse perspectives, social justice, the thoughtful exchange of ideas, inquiry, reflection, and informed action--this electronic publication will function as a cyber-commons of sorts. It is a place where progressive philosophers and practitioners, from across the globe, can connect through community and inquiry as they work together to carry out the movement’s important commitment to the intersection of democracy and education.

2026

Building a Brighter World: Reflections on the Hanahau‘oli School

In 1919, Vaughan MacCaughey, the Superintendent of Public Instruction for the Territory of Hawai‘i, wrote a letter to Sophie Judd Cooke about the small school she had opened in Honolulu in 1918. He wrote that he “heartily and fully” endorsed its “educational creed.” Then he added:

“One of the dangers to our democracy is the lock-step and effacement of individuality in the public system… . It is my hope, next fall, to arrange to have some of our better teachers visit Hanahau‘oli School, one by one, and to catch something of its spirit.” — Vaughan MacCaughey, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Territory of Hawai‘i, 1919

Progressive Education and the Awakened Brain

Hosted by science journalist Shankar Vedantam, Hidden Brain is a popular podcast that uses science and storytelling to explore the unconscious patterns, hidden biases, and psychological triggers that drive human behavior, shape our choices, and influence our relationships. In two recent episodes, Vedantam had a conversation with Dr. Lisa Miller, a psychologist at Columbia University, Teachers College. She is also the author of The Awakened Brain, The New Science of Spirituality, and Our Quest for an Inspired Life. You can find links to the two Hidden Brain episodes here:

The Art of Noticing: Reflections from the Hanahau'oli Teacher Collaborative

The Hanahau‘oli Teacher Collaborative is a seven-day institute for educators that focuses on interdisciplinary curriculum design for the purpose of engaging youth in meaningful learning. It is led by progressive educator and former Hanahau‘oli Head of School, Dr. Robert Peters. This year, educator and writer Katherine Taylor attended the institute. Her reflections, including a poem inspired by a hands-on activity, are shared in this blog.

Teaching About Historical Change, Continuity and Context: Unfreezing the Ahupuaʻa and Expanding Imaginations of Ancient Hawaiʻi

In 2023, visiting scholar Dr. Christoph Kühberger immersed himself in a variety of educational settings across O‘ahu, including Hanahau‘oli School. The blog to follow provides a window into the insights he had about how educators in Hawai‘i teach critical historical concepts like “change, continuity and context,” “perspective,” and the use of “historical sources and evidence” in Hawaiian history.

The Slow AI Framework

The Navigating AI in Education Think Tank took place over three days during the summer of 2026. On the last day, something magical happened. All the moments leading up to that day—identifying our own values, perspectives, and experiences with AI; understanding the tensions surrounding its use; hearing different perspectives; engaging in healthy push and pull; and collectively making sense of what AI is and is not—came together. As a recipient of a Hanahau‘oli School Professional Development Center Scholarship, Kate Werner thoughtfully engaged in the workshop and then shared her takeaways and reflections with us to extend to others who may be seeking to grow in their own thinking about AI and education. She beautifully describes her experience below.

Why Doing Philosophy with Children is Essential for the Most Vulnerable Children

In February 2026, I (Junya Kubo), together with my colleague Ryo Kumagai (Associate Professor, Miyagi University of Education), had the opportunity to visit Hanahauʻoli School to observe children engaging in self-directed learning based on their own interests, within an environment that ensured both safety and security.

Inside the Professional Development Center: A Researcher’s Reflection on the Living Laboratory Model

In our previous post, Dr. Luke Steller explored how mission-aligned partnerships—like Hanahau‘oli School’s collaboration with the Mānoa Heritage Center—can transform STEM learning. But how does a school cultivate a staff and student body that is ready for such deep applied work?

Mission Over Content: Reflections on Authentic STEM Partnerships

The PDC had the pleasure of hosting researcher Dr. Luke Steller for an immersive school-day visit in September 2025. A science communicator and community engagement leader from Australia’s Northern Territory, Dr. Steller was exploring how STEM education can be strengthened through authentic collaboration with local communities as a Winston Churchill Fellow.

Championing Equity and Advocacy: Announcing the Newest Hawai‘i Social Justice Educator Award Recipients

The Social Justice Education in Hawai‘i Project is a Hanahau‘oli School PDC initiative led in partnership with the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa College of Education. Since 2018, the project has been growing and supporting local educators who see schools as levers of change for creating a better future world.

Dr. Noboru Tanaka on Progressive Education and the Japanese National Curriculum

Dr. Tanaka is an Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Human Development and Environment at Kobe University, where he specializes in citizenship education and democratic society studies. His research focuses on education for democratic citizenship, with his lab exploring civic engagement and educational philosophy.

Supporting Student and Faculty Well-Being and Belonging: A Campus Sensory Room

Environments shape how we think, feel, and engage more than we may realize. Have you ever walked into a space that instantly made you feel overwhelmed? Sensory regulation, or the brain’s ability to process, organize, and respond to sensory input, is essential to learning, attention, and emotional well-being.

Digital Landscapes: The Languages of Technology in the Reggio Emilia Approach

We are Federica Gallone and Federica Lentini – two educators who feel most alive when we are learning with children. Our professional lives have unfolded in early childhood settings, where relationships, curiosity, and wonder shape our days. We have worked closely with children as teachers, atelierista, and pedagogista, accompanying students’ thinking through materials, dialogue, light, and documentation.