Originally prepared for "The Level Playing Field," a special presentation of The Koolau News. This piece was published Sunday, Sept. 25 (Week 4 of 7).

We all remember these special teachers who inspired us to expand who we were and reach for those goals we felt were just out of our reach. These teachers made the goals seem realistic and worthy; they gave us the courage and resolve to become someone, to do what we knew we were meant to do.

We needed these teachers. We also need to have these teachers around for our children, for their children, for generations to come. Keeping the outstanding educators we have and encouraging more people to become teachers of this caliber will take some major changes to our education system. We must make it as appealing and rewarding for them as it was for us to be in the classrooms of these teachers we had.

The exodus of our teachers to the mainland is not only difficult for them, but also devastating to our children and us. They do not want to leave, but the system we have is forcing them to go in search of a better life for themselves. We must start not only appreciating our teachers, but also showing this appreciation. They need to be paid what they are worth, and also what they are promised. Just as teachers give incentive to our students, we must give them incentive to reach higher goals for themselves. The classrooms are sorely lacking, and having teachers spend their own hard-earned money to buy supplies is simply unacceptable. We have the ability to provide our teachers with the resources they need if we just put in a better effort.

First and foremost, our school system needs drastic work, and it needs to happen now. We are not benefiting from the system as it stands. The power is too centralized and difficult to manage. Our teachers and students are at the bottom of the list, and the money just doesn�t seem to trickle down that far. We must break up the school system into districts with localized power and localized control. Communities must be involved in making the decisions that affect them, as our overblown government has proven inept of doing a good job. Along with running the school districts on a local level, parents should also be more involved in the school lives of their children. Parents are the first teachers a child has, and should continue to be a part of their education throughout their school years.

In addition to changing the public school system, we must encourage the growth of the charter school system. These schools are a wonderful option and should be more widespread for our children. More options that should be available and supported are magnet schools, home schooling and vouchers for special education. Vocational programs are also an important feature to offer in our school system, along with apprenticeships and internships to prepare our young people to join the workforce upon graduation.

Our elected officials must be held responsible for meeting, if not exceeding, legal expectations in the area of special education. The Felix consent decree is a serious matter, and the education of our special-needs children cannot be stressed enough. We must look beyond the legal aspects and realize that this is for the good of our children, and our community�s future. It is vital to provide not only funding, but also support for our students and qualified teachers.

We need to elect candidates who are dedicated to real change, not just superficial words. The waste of time and money must stop now, and it will stop with your vote. Keep in mind that special teacher in your life, that meaningful inspiration, and let it guide you to cast your vote to those candidates willing to step up and make a difference with you and for you.