Newsletter
September 2017

School is now officially underway across Washington! With that begins an exciting and busy year for educators. We are excited to share announcements, opportunities and resources for the new year that you don't want to miss.

Do you have new teachers in your district or colleagues who should have this information? Be sure to   and encourage them to sign-up for our emails  to stay on top of events and opportunities.
Recruiting Washington Teachers Teaching Academy Pilot

The Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession (CSTP) is excited to offer an extended opportunity for educators to pilot professional development online modules for the Recruiting Washington Teachers Teaching Academy curriculum that were developed by WA teachers over the last year.

We are seeking up to 50 educators to pilot the online modules that have been created. We are interested in educators from all over the state and from a variety of curriculum areas and levels who can do this work by October 31.  

Expectations of Pilot Participants:
1. Review the pre-recorded informative webinar prior to piloting the materials
2. Pilot up to 5 modules available online via Canvas Learning Management System
3. Complete a feedback survey after piloting each module

CSTP will provide:
1. Direction and guidance for pilot participants
2. Payment to pilot participants of $25 per module piloted (up to 5 total) after feedback is submitted. 
3. Clock hours are available for a small cost for people who review at least 3 modules.

If you are interested in participating, please register via this survey monkey link - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2QQ3FXM.

If you have questions, please contact Lindsey Stevens - lindsey@cstp-wa.org.
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In This Issue
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
OSPI's NBCT Facilitator Training
Deadline:  October 20-21, 2017
Fee: $120
CSTP's RWT Teaching Academy Pilot
Deadline:  October 2, 2017
Stipend: $25, up to $125
TPEP Best Practices Colloquium
When:  November 1, 2017
Where: Yakima, WA
#CampCSTP: Creating Powerful PLCs
When:  November 17-18, 2017
Where: North Bend, WA
Creating Powerful PLCs

Struggling with getting your PLC to function well? Are you seeking to move your PLC beyond the "who-needs-more-supplies/sharing-of-weekend-plans/district-office-needs-this-information" meeting towards true collaboration time about teacher practice? Need time, space and some coaching to give your PLC a boost? Then we have just the ticket!

Join us in North Bend on November 17-18, 2017, for an overnight retreat to dive more deeply into creating high functioning PLCs. Presenters Karen Remy-Anderson, Executive Director of Student Support Services (former Principal of River Ridge High School) and NBCT Jami Gore, Math Program Leader and Teacher at River Ridge High School will provide concrete ideas that have worked for their PLCs and provide guidance around moving a PLC from data-driven compliance to data-informed, authentic teacher learning that has transformed their instructional practice. This retreat will highlight real and relevant best practices and will provide ideas and structures that can be contextualized as teams work together.


Participants will receive:
  • Ideas for scaffolding productive collegial relationships
  • Coaching from experienced PLC leaders and administrators
  • Practice in utilizing skills for working with adult learners and working with teams
Registration includes overnight lodging (shared or single available) on November 17 at Rainbow Lodge, dinner on November 17, breakfast and lunch on November 18, and all session materials.

Creating Powerful PLCs: November 17 - 18, 2017
Start: 6:00 PM on November 17, 2017
Adjourn: 2:00 PM on November 18, 2017
Clock Hours: 10
Who Should Attend: This training is geared for teams of teachers and administrators. School or district teams must register at least 3 people and have no more than 5 people. To maximize this opportunity, we highly recommend teams include classroom teachers and an administrator(s).
Register Now:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/campcstp-creating-powerful-plcs-tickets-37704334680
Congratulations to the 2018 State Teacher of the Year and Regional Teachers of the Year

2018 Washington Teacher of the Year, Mandy Manning

CSTP is a proud partner in supporting the Teacher of the Year program and has the great opportunity to work with this group throughout the year.

Congratulations to:

Mandy Manning, 2018 Washington State Teacher of the Year and Northeast ESD 101 Regional Teacher of the Year

Jennifer Tenney, ESD 105 Regional Teacher of the Year

Ethan Chessin, ESD 112 Regional Teacher of the Year

Melissa Charette, Capital Region ESD 113 Regional Teacher of the Year

Gary Coyan, Olympic ESD 114 Regional Teacher of the Year

Denisha Saucedo, Puget Sound ESD 121 Regional Teacher of the Year

Laurie Price, Puget Sound ESD 123 Regional Teacher of the Year

Jon Magnus, North Central ESD 171 Regional Teacher of the Year


Linne Haywood, Northwest ESD 189 Regional Teacher of the Year

Read more about these educators on the OSPI website.
Register Now for the TPEP Best Practices Colloquium "Learning from Student Growth"

CSTP is excited to be hosting the  TPEP Best Practices Colloquium "Learning from Student Growth" on November 1, 2017, in Yakima. This full day event will feature districts and schools from around the state sharing ways they are using what they learn from student growth to improve teacher practice and strategies to authentically connect student growth to the teacher evaluation system. The Colloquium facilitates discussion across and within districts as you learn about other district's best practices and share your experiences. Registration is limited to 150 participants. Learn more and register at http://cstp-wa.org/events-calendar/tpep/.
 
Presentation Teams and Workshop Topics: 
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, Yakima School District, Beyond Admiring the Data
  • Lake Stevens School District, Mead School District, Spokane Public Schools, Grading for Growth: Transform Points into Passion
  • North Kitsap High School, North Kitsap Public Schools, Real and Relevant Student Growth
  • Marie Curie Elementary School, Pasco School District, Keeping Student Growth A Focus For ALL Kids
  • Seattle Public Schools, Leveraging Teacher Leadership to Sustain Knowledge and Learning About Student Growth
  • Walla Walla High School, Walla Walla School District, PLCs and Student Growth
Workshops with Framework Author Representatives:  Patty Maxfield - CEL, Kate Dickson and Karyn Wright - Danielson, Tina Boogren - Marzano, and Ron Sisson with Association of Washington State Principals (AWSP).
Cost:  Free
Location:  Yakima, WA
Included in Registration:  Breakfast, lunch and materials.
Not Included in Registration:  Travel, hotel, parking, substitute costs, or clock hours.
Who Can Attend:  TPEP teams or individuals working in a Washington public school district. Teams from each district are encouraged to attend together, and be comprised of district office representatives, building administrators, teachers, association leaders and instructional coaches. There is not a limit on the number of team members a district can bring.

Save the date! We will hold a second colloquia in the SeaTac area on March 1, 2018. Stay tuned to future newsletters for more information.
OSPI's NBCT Facilitator Training Registration Closes October 12th!

To ensure consistency across the state for National Board candidates who are seeking this certification, facilitators are required to take Facilitator Training prior to hosting a cohort.

This two-day training hones facilitation knowledge and skills, provides a deeper understanding of the revised National Board process, as well as develops skills in working with adult learners. The cost for this training is $120. Current offerings are:

Date: October 20-21, 2017
Where: Tukwila, WA
Cost: $120
 
Learn more about the facilitator trainings on OSPI's website.
Mathematics and English Language Arts High School Educators Smarter Balance Assessments

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is seeking qualified mathematics and English language arts (ELA) high school educators to participate in an in-person advisory workgroup to inform decisions related to changing the administration year of the high school Smarter Balanced assessments in mathematics and English language arts from grade 11 to grade 10. This is a legislated change as prescribed in ESHB 2224. This workgroup will review high school assessment content for grade-level appropriateness in order to inform scores and achievement levels. 

Timeline:
This advisory workgroup will convene for two days on October 17-18 in the Olympia area. Interested educators should submit an online application by noon, on September 25. For selected applicants, substitute costs are reimbursed, free clock hours are available, and allowable travel costs are covered by OSPI. Visit the application website for further details regarding background information and meeting logistics. 

National Assessment Governing Board Vacancy

The National Assessment Governing Board is looking to fill 2 vacancies on the Board with a 4th grade teacher and an 8th grade teacher. The NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) tests in grades 4, 8 and 12, thus teachers from those grades are represented on the Board.

If you or someone you know are interested in informing NAEP policy, consider nominating yourself or others. Nominations are due by Oct 31, 2017. Those appointed to the Governing Board will begin their terms on October 1, 2018.

You'll find all the information you need at Join the Board.
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