Ms. dos Santos (second from left) at the state capitol. She’s joined by Rep. Amy Perruso (left) and fellow educators who were recognized during Civic Learning Week.
Congratulations to HTA’s Jessica dos Santos, who was recognized by the state House of Representatives earlier this month for her work in promoting and advancing civic education in Hawai‘i.
The PACE Commission selected Jessica for the award as part of Civic Learning Week.
Jessica has taught social studies at HTA’s Waipahu high school since 2012. As one of HTA’s longest-tenured teachers, she’s a driving force behind the school’s growth and evolution, says Campus Director Neil Bowers.
“Her passion, innovation, and commitment to student success make her an invaluable part of our HTA community,” Neil adds. “She continuously adapts her teaching style to keep pace with the ever-changing landscape of education, ensuring students receive an engaging and relevant learning experience.”
In Jessica’s Modern Hawaiian History course, students engage in a semester-long project-based experience where they examine the political, social, and economic transformations in Hawai‘i, drawing connections between historical events and contemporary challenges. Analyzing primary and secondary sources, they ask critical questions, engage in rigorous discussions, and express their voices through creative projects.
In the third unit, students investigate the intersections between food systems and climate change, applying these global issues to Hawai‘i through a Hawaiian cultural lens. Jessica challenges her students to think critically about sustainability, indigenous food sovereignty, and climate resilience while fostering historical understanding and active problem-solving skills.
Beyond the classroom, Jessica has also played a pivotal role in shaping student leadership at HTA. She has dedicated years to coordinating the National Honor Society and was one of the visionaries behind 808Volunteers.org, a service learning project developed at HTA to facilitate youth service learning in Hawai`i.
Jessica’s background also includes roles in public relations, outreach coordination, and more than 18 years of community/grassroots, environmental, and social justice advocacy work, reflecting her dedication to education and social impact.
She holds a Master of Arts in Secondary Education from the University of Phoenix Hawai‘i and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Women’s Studies from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
Congratulations, Jessica, and mahalo for all you do for the HTA ‘ohana!
