Make IT Happen Teacher Hub
Teacher Hub

Empowering Hawaiʻi's keiki through local stories, self-discovery, and purpose-driven action.

Start here Browse the 8 modules
8modules you can mix and match
24kamaʻāina video stories
6–7class sessions per module
5CASEL SEL competencies
What it is

Story-driven SEL, made in Hawaiʻi

Make IT Happen is an 8-module social-emotional learning curriculum for grades 6–9. Each module pairs video case studies of real kamaʻāina with a student workbook and a hands-on project, so students build confidence, identity, and purpose.

Students meet local artists, athletes, entrepreneurs, and changemakers, and see what's possible for themselves right here at home.

Program goals
  • Expand equity and access to future-focused SEL
  • Help students put their personal and professional goals into words
  • Grow mindset, community connection, and self-efficacy
  • Use real local stories to inspire courage and action
Why it's different

Built for Hawaiʻi classrooms

Rooted in Hawaiʻi

Reflects the values, places, and communities your students call home.

Real stories, real people

Features 24 kamaʻāina changemakers from across the islands.

Culturally responsive SEL

Aligns with CASEL while centering local identity.

Designed for teachers

Ready-to-use lessons, videos, slide decks, and reflection tools.

How every module runs

The same rhythm, eight different themes

Once you've taught one module, you know the shape of all of them. Each runs 6–7 class sessions of 40–45 minutes.

  1. Day 1Kickoff

    Pre-assessment, intro video, workbook warm-up, and a class discussion.

  2. Day 2Case study 1

    Read the intro, watch the video, then knowledge check and reflection.

  3. Day 3Case study 2

    Same flow with the second kamaʻāina story.

  4. Day 4Case study 3

    Same flow, then compare traits across all three stories.

  5. Day 5Synthesis

    Discussion, catch-up, and the post-assessment.

Days 6–7 (optional): a hands-on project, like a Dream Board, Fear Map, or Mentor Request Letter.

The modules

Pick a theme to start

Compare all 8 modules →

Coming soon

Four new modules in the works

We’re building four more modules, each with three new kamaʻāina stories. We plan to have them ready by next school year at the latest.

In development

Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

FeaturingAlexis Akiona, Kamea Hadar, and Sam Potter

In development

Reframing Challenges as Opportunities

FeaturingHeather Aiu, McKenna Maduli, and Robynne Maiʻi

In development

Embracing Change

FeaturingJT Ojerio, Kelia Moniz, and Michelle Jaime

In development

Your Past Doesn’t Define Your Future

FeaturingKūhaʻo Zane, Likkle Jordee, and Matthew Tapia

All modules

8 modules. 24 stories.

Each module stands on its own, so you can teach all eight in order or pick the themes that fit your class. Every module follows the same 6–7 day rhythm.

Coming soon

Four new modules in the works

We’re building four more modules, each with three new kamaʻāina stories. We plan to have them ready by next school year at the latest.

In development

Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

FeaturingAlexis Akiona, Kamea Hadar, and Sam Potter

In development

Reframing Challenges as Opportunities

FeaturingHeather Aiu, McKenna Maduli, and Robynne Maiʻi

In development

Embracing Change

FeaturingJT Ojerio, Kelia Moniz, and Michelle Jaime

In development

Your Past Doesn’t Define Your Future

FeaturingKūhaʻo Zane, Likkle Jordee, and Matthew Tapia

Kamaʻāina stories

Meet the 24

Artists, athletes, entrepreneurs, chefs, navigators, and founders who grew up in Hawaiʻi schools. Filter by module to see who your students will meet.

CASEL alignment

SEL in every story

Each kamaʻāina story models social-emotional growth in action. Use this guide to connect the stories to the five CASEL competencies across advisory, electives, and core classes.

The five competencies

What students are building

01Self-Awareness

Recognizing your emotions, thoughts, and values, and how they shape what you do. Includes confidence, strengths, and identity.

02Self-Management

Managing emotions, setting goals, controlling impulses, and persisting through challenges.

03Social Awareness

Empathy for others, including people from different backgrounds, and recognizing inequality or injustice.

04Relationship Skills

Building healthy relationships through communication, teamwork, conflict resolution, and asking for or offering help.

05Responsible Decision-Making

Making ethical, constructive choices based on values, consequences, and the well-being of self and others.

At a glance

Module alignment matrix

A check means strong alignment with the module's stories or theme.

By module

Story-by-story breakdowns

Each module guide has a SEL section with competencies, quotes, and discussion prompts for its three stories.

Plan & teach

Get your class started

Make IT Happen is teacher-facilitated: you lead the lessons and students work in printed workbooks. Here's how to get ready.

  1. Choose your modules

    Every module stands alone. Teach all eight in order, or pick the themes that fit your class and calendar.

    Compare modules →

  2. Get your workbooks

    Each student needs the printed workbook for the module you're teaching.

    To order, email aloha@risehi.com with the modules and number of workbooks you need, and we'll send you a quote.

    Printed workbooks arrive about 1–2 weeks after the invoice is paid.

  3. Set up the tech

    You'll need a screen for videos and slides, and student devices for the pre- and post-assessments.

  4. Prep your first module

    Each module page has videos, slides, a day-by-day plan, and a checklist.

    Start with Module 1 →
Pacing

How long it takes

Each module runs 6–7 class sessions of 40–45 minutes: five core days plus an optional project. All eight modules add up to roughly 40 core sessions, or about 56 with every project.

If you meetOne module takes about
Daily1–1½ weeks
3 times a week2–2½ weeks
Once a week (advisory)5–7 weeks
Assessments

Program surveys

Every module includes a short pre-assessment on Day 1 and a post-assessment on Day 5. These are RiseHI's program surveys: responses come to us so we can measure and improve Make IT Happen. They aren't graded, and please have every student complete both. Links are on each module page.

Do I have to teach the modules in order?

No. Each module is self-contained, so schools can mix and match.

Do students need their own devices?

Only for the assessments. Videos and slides can be shown on one classroom screen.

What if a video won't play?

Use printed transcripts with the workbook reflections, and let us know so we can fix it.

Resources & support

Everything in one place

Workbooks, slide decks, and the people to ask when you need help.

Student workbooks

The workbook shelf

Click a workbook to see the entire module. You can print the workbooks on your own, or email aloha@risehi.com with which modules and how many workbooks you need and we'll help you print.

Slides & assessments

Quick links by module

Questions or feedback?

We're here to help you bring Make IT Happen to your students. Reach out with questions, ideas, or anything that isn't working.

Send us a questionrisehi.com
Email RiseHI