Teachers Teaching Teachers:
Help Shape the Future of Education
At Hanahau‘oli School, progressive education isn’t just a pedagogy – it’s a way to live and a way to learn. A commitment to the idea that everyone learns best through joy, purpose, inquiry, and connection.
The Professional Development Center (PDC) is 100% funded by philanthropic giving and program registration. With this funding, teachers across Hawai‘i, and around the world, learn about progressive education, empowering them to transform teaching and learning in their communities. Your generous support helps us deliver programs that serve educators, researchers, scholars, parents, community members, and more.
The PDC does not use tuition dollars or the School’s operating budget to fund this work. Our independent funding, from donors and PDC program tuition, supports a wide range of courses, workshops, lectures, seminars, and community engagement opportunities – all built on Hanahau‘oli’s progressive philosophy and tradition. Please join the community of donors who make the PDC possible – supporting the development of school communities that promote a better future society for today’s children.
Help the PDC Lay Stepping Stones
for the Future of Education
For over 15 years, the PDC has empowered educators across Hawai‘i and beyond with the philosophy, tools, and curriculum innovation skills to create classrooms where children thrive. Every workshop, mentorship, and partnership strengthens teachers – and every strengthened teacher impacts hundreds of students over a lifetime.
Learn more about the PDC’s 15-year history and The Path Forward.
Join us in laying the stepping stones that empower educators – and the children they serve.
Why your support matters
The PDC is 100% funded by philanthropy and registration fees from our programs. No tuition dollars. No school operating funds. When you give, you:
Support courses and continuing education opportunities for teachers and educators – 360+ programs to date
Help us run workshops and seminars that have reached more than 8,000 participants and counting
Provide scholarships, including travel, for neighbor island teachers. $70,000 in scholarships have been provided since the PDC’s inception
Strengthen schools and communities with access to meaningful and joyful learning from our free online resources and professional blog
Invest in a more thoughtful, compassionate future for education
Your gift doesn’t just support a program. It multiplies possibilities.
Give today. Shape Tomorrow.
Ways to Support the PDC
Lead Gifts, Launching The PDC’s Path Forward (2026-2028)
We are entering an exciting new chapter in the PDC’s history. Lead gifts will help to jumpstart our next phase of growth, including expanding our team, growing program offerings, extending our reach, and increasing our impact.
Please contact pdc@hanahauoli.org to learn more about lead gift donations.
Hanahau‘oli PDC Endowment Growth
The Professional Development Center was launched in 2009 through the visionary support of the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation. Today, growing the endowment ensures that progressive education continues to flourish for decades to come.
Named endowments may be established with a minimum gift of $25,000. Contact pdc@hanahauoli.org to learn about named endowments in support of the PDC’s mission.
PDC’S Progressive Education For All Fund
The PDC’s brand new Progressive Education For All Fund provides unrestricted PDC support to meet the most immediate and essential needs – from operations to innovative program design. A gift to the Progressive Education For All Fund promotes operational strength and the ability to design responsive PDC programming that in turn ensures more students, teachers, and communities have access to progressive education.
Your gift helps us:
Provide $70,000+ in scholarships for educators
Offer 360+ workshops and counting
Innovate on early childhood progressive education methods
Promote arts integration in thematic curriculum
Create more teacher mentorship opportunities
The Impact of Your Generosity
“Your generosity makes it possible for scholars like me to give back to our communities through education.””
“The workshop gave me concrete language, structures, and the confidence to lead this work. It will have a direct impact on how my students learn.”
“The framework provides structure and inspiration while honoring individualization for children.”
When you support the PDC, you are not simply funding professional development.
You are investing in teachers.
You are shaping children’s futures.
You are strengthening society.
Read more about the impact of the PDC’s 15 year history, and The Path Forward, and click below to extend your support to the PDC today
