Newsletter
February 2017

Winter is is trailing off and spring is coming...Or at least we hope it is! Whatever the case, we have tons of reading and resources to share with you this month to stave off cabin fever.

As always, be sure to   and encourage them to sign-up for our emails  to stay on top of events and opportunities.
Washington NBCT Policy Recommendations

In November 2016, NBCTs convened in SeaTac, WA to discuss two pressing policy issues affecting the National Board movement and public education in the 2017 legislative session:

1) The future of second-tier licensure for teachers in the state, and

2) The stability of National Board incentives

The recommendations NBCTs generated express their viewpoints and voices. The Washington State Network Partners have culled through the recommendations and organized them by audience: recommendations for the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) and Partners, recommendations for the Washington State Legislature, and recommendations for School Districts.

Read the report and see what NBCTs had to say.
NBCT Hill Day in Olympia
Superintendent Chris Reykdal Speaks to NBCTs on Hill Day

Spearheaded by NBCTs Holly Koon and Mandy Manning, CSTP hosted an NBCT Hill Day on February 20 in Olympia, WA. Over 130 NBCTs participated in various ways that day, writing emails to legislators or meeting with them on the Hill and shared the Recommendations from the Washington 2016 National Board Policy Summit and discussed education issues.

Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction, Chris Reykdal, met with NBCTs that morning before they headed out to meet with their legislators. He shared his support for NBCTs and insights on the legislative climate. 

Shelton educators Kathy James, Tracy Lusby, Gina Franchini and Brent Conklin at the Olympia Capitol Building to meet with their legislators.

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In This Issue
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
TPEP Best Practices Colloquium
When:  March 1, 2017
Where: SeaTac WA, TBA
WEA National Board Home Stretch Seminar
When:  March 25, 2017
Where: Yakima, WA
WEA National Board Home Stretch Seminar
When:  April 22, 2017
Where: Des Moines, WA
PESB Educator Retooling Scholarship
When:  April 28, 2017
Amount:  $3,000
CSTP's NBCT Leadership Conference
When:  May 20-21, 2017
Where: Leavenworth, WA
PESB's Teacher Shortage Grant
Deadline:  May 26, 2017
OSPI's NBCT Facilitator Training, Day 1, 2, & 3
When:  June 27-29, 2017
Where: Spokane Area, TBA
WEA's National Board Jump Start 
When:  June 27-30, 2017
Where: Spokane Area, TBA
#CampCSTP: A Deeper Dive into Teacher Leadership
When:  July 17-18, 2017
Where: North Bend, WA
#CampCSTP: Advocacy and Messaging
When:  July 18-19, 2017
Where: North Bend, WA
#CampCSTP: Writers' Retreat
When:  July 19-21, 2017
Where: North Bend, WA
WEA's National Board Jump Start
When:  July 31- August 3, 2017
Where: Seattle, TBA
WEA's National Board Jump Start
When:  August 15-18, 2017
Where: Vancouver, TBA
OSPI's NBCT Facilitator Training, Day 1, 2, & 3
When:  August 14-16, 2017
Where: Vancouver Area, TBA
2018 Washington Teacher of the Year Nominations
Due March 1

Camille Jones, 2017 Washington Teacher of the Year

Recognize a phenomenal teacher in your district by nominating them for the 2018 Washington Teacher of the Year. 

Nominated teachers must be:
  • Currently certified to teach in Washington State
  • Work directly with students 50% of their time
One teacher is selected from each region, and one will be selected to represent Washington State, with a chance to be selected as National Teacher of the Year.

Nominations are due by March 1, 2017. 

Washington Teacher Advisory Committee Website Launch
 
The Washington Teacher Advisory Council (WATAC) launched a new website this month http://www.watac.k12.wa.us/.

WATAC members are alumni Teachers of the Year dedicated to inform education decisions and influence policy.

This website features a blog from WATAC members and puts you in contact with former Teachers of the Year through their network map. If you are on Twitter, you can also tweet WATAC members using #AskATeacher and #WATAC.
Ignite Education Lab
 
Lyon Terry, NBCT and 2015 WA Teacher of the Year
Seattle Time's Education Lab was well attended on February 8 at Town Hall Seattle. In case you missed it, you can now watch the ignite presentations online on the Seattle Times website.

Ignite presenters included:
  • Alex Alviar: "Boardgames, or the Furtive Art of Education" 
  • Omari Amili: "The Transformative Nature of Post-Secondary Education"
  • Nicholas Bradford: "The Pros of Conflict"
  • Ted Cohn: "The Privilege of Teaching"
  • Jody McVittie: "Rethinking School Discipline"
  • Shalini Miskelly: "Why Do Teachers of Color Burnout?"
  • Jordan Taitingfong: "Inclusion for All- Equity and Advocacy through Special Education"
  • Teresa Scribner: "Black Hair Matters"
  • Lyon Terry: "Redefining Teaching: Social and Emotional Learning is the Foundation of a Quality Education"
  • Rachel Wiley: "From Bad Kid to Badass Teacher"
Stories From School Roundup