Newsletter
February 5, 2019

Mid-winter break is just around the corner and we have a full newsletter from interesting articles to professional development opportunities. Learn how to earn free clock hours and a Recruiting Washington Teacher microcredential in our upcoming pilot. Join us for Exceptional Educators Day with discount tickets for the Mariners. Don't miss the opportunity to nominate an outstanding teacher for Washington Teacher of the Year. Catch up with our Stories from School bloggers as they talk about why there is no better time to be a teacher, playground equipment wins and guns in school.
 
Do you have educators 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.
ESD 189 PLCs to Increase Focus on Students with Disabilities
  
Mead School District PLC Journey
  
As part of CSTP's continued focus on supporting the development of high functioning PLCs, we are excited to have embarked on a PLC journey with the Mead School District. Over the past several months, CSTP has taken on the role of coach and facilitator with the Learning Services Department and the building administrators as they delve into what it means to be a learning team.

With a focus on developing the capacity of leadership to support the growth and efficacy of learning teams/PLCs across the district, the group is utilizing various protocols and processes to refine the larger vision for learning teams that better supports student success. This has led to clarifying core dilemmas to reach that vision and leverage the framework for professional learning (Mead Learning Cycle) to begin to address the existing gaps in differentiated ways.

"CSTP's coaching and guidance has helped us focus our thinking down to actions. This has helped us consider our achievement gaps and explore our belief that research clearly shows, effective learning teams are the best way to address those gaps," said  Mark St. Claire, Director of Secondary Education and Data & Assessment.

Learn more about our PLC work on our website.
Instagram Take Over with Tumwater Program Administrator Jack Arend
  
Follow along on February 14 as Tumwater program administrator, Jack Arend, takes over CSTP's Instagram. We get a sneak peak into Tumwater's cultural competency training with special guest Dr. Caprice Hollins from Cultures Connecting.

Do you have something exciting coming up in your classroom or school that you would be interested in highlighting on our Instagram? We are looking to line-up monthly takeovers through the end of the school year. If you are interested in potentially taking over our account during the 2018-19 school year, please apply at https://goo.gl/forms/m8me3LMAWrMan1C53. 


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In This Issue
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
Future School Leaders Workshop
Date: February 6, 2019
Location: Des Moines, WA
WEA Home Stretch
Date: February 23, 2019
Location: Camas, WA
WEA Home Stretch
Date: February 23, 2019
Location: Kennewick, WA
Washington State Teacher of the Year Nominations Due 
Date: March 1, 2019
Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Nominations Due 
Date: March 1, 2019
Ellison Education Grant Due
Date: March 9, 2019
Amount: $2,500-$10,000
WEA Home Stretch
Date: March 23, 2019
Location: Spokane, WA
Exceptional Educators Day with the Mariners
Date: April 14, 2019
Location: Seattle, WA
Tickets: $15-$30
WEA Home Stretch
Date: April 20, 2019
Location: Federal Way, WA
PESB's Educator Retooling Scholarship 
Date: April 26, 2019
Scholarship: up to $3,000
Save the Date: WATAC Spring Conference
Date: May 4-5, 2019
Location: Cedarbrook Lodge, SeaTac, WA
Earn the Recruiting Washington Teachers Microcredential and 15 Free Clock Hours RWT
  
The Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession (CSTP) is seeking educators to partner with us in a great new professional development pilot opportunity. CSTP has worked with the Professional Educator Standards Board to develop three micro-credentials and professional development modules for the Recruiting Washington Teachers (RWT) Curriculum, which is a Teacher Academy model for high schools. This RWT curriculum is focused on supporting "students holistically in their academic, emotional, social, professional, and cultural identity development, while guiding their exploration of careers in education." (PESB).  To learn more about the RWT Curriculum and Resources  follow this link.
 
Teachers and administrators can earn one of three RWT micro-credentials by demonstrating competency of the RWT curriculum, the pathways to teaching and system supports for RWT programs.  A micro-credential is competency based, evidence-based and applied in the educator's context.  When a micro-credential is attained, an educator can earn a digital badge. For more on micro-credentials follow this link.
 
Benefits of micro-credentials:
  • Focused, specialized, relevant and job-embedded learning.
  • Online platform allows flexibility.
  • Educators are supported by a CSTP facilitator, as needed, and opportunities to connect and share within a cohort model of other educators.
  • Those who submit for the microcredential during this pilot will 15 free clock hours.  
Important RWT Micro-credential Dates:
  • Twitter Chat: Join us for a  twitter chat on February 12th at 7:00 pm where you can tweet questions out or just follow along to find out more. Follow @WACSTP on Twitter.
  • Webinar: Register at this link for our informational webinar February 19th at 4:00.
  • If you're already to jump in, here is the link to register for the RWT micro-credential cohort.
Nominate the Next Washington Teacher of the Year by March 1, 2019 TOY
  
2019 Teacher of the Year, Robert Hand
Take a minute to think of an amazing Washington educator in your life. Got it? Then take another minute to nominate them for the 2020 Washington Teacher of the Year.

All students, colleagues, supervisors and community members are encouraged to nominate their favorite teacher.

Hurry - the deadline to nominate is Friday, March 1st. Submit your nomination and encourage others to do so at http://ospi.2020-toy-nom.sgizmo.com/s3/.  

2019 Teacher of the Year Robert Hand was nominated by a former student. In her nomination she said, "Mr. Hand got to know my struggles and did what a lot of other teachers didn't: He actually acknowledged them. After this, he didn't lower his expectations of me because he knew I was as capable as any other student who had the privileges I didn't. With Mr. Hand's support, throughout high school I got to discover my true potential. When I enrolled in Skagit Valley College, I kept that, 'I can do anything' mindset that Mr. Hand taught me. I am about to transfer onto a 4-year university and pursue a career as an educator. None of this could have been possible without Mr. Hand always being by my side - no matter what."
Washington Teachers of the Year News
  
Each year the Teachers of the Year from each region share their story in the OSPI publication From Seed to Apple

This years stories include:
  • Foreword by Mandy Manning, 2018 Washington State and National Teacher of the Year
  • The Power of Positivity by Mathew Brown, North Central ESD 171 Regional Teacher of the Year
  • Champions for Children by Karen Doran, Olympic ESD 114 Regional Teacher of the Year
  • Stuck on the Fence by Kimberly Miller, ESD 112 Regional Teacher of the Year
  • Those Times They Tried to Bury Me by Tracy Castro-Gill, ESD 121 Regional Teacher of the Year
  • We Are the Champions, My Friends by Robert Hand, 2019 Washington State Teacher of the Year
  • A Voice From the Corner by Susan Douglas, Northeast ESD 101 Regional Teacher of the Year
  • Building a Bridge by Michael Clinton, ESD 105 Regional Teacher of the Year
  • The Road From Trauma by Kristine Mars, ESD 123 Regional Teacher of the Year
  • Take Care of Yourself by Ryan Healy, Capital Region ESD 113 Regional Teacher of the Year
     
Be sure to check out their stories at  http://www.k12.wa.us/EducationAwards/FromSeedToApple.aspx. 

Robert Hand:
Robert Hand: "Preparing Every Student"

Robert Hand, the 2019 Washington state Teacher of the Year, is a Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher at Mount Vernon High School. He believes deeply in the power of relationships, and his current and former students agree. They say that he supports them in discovering and pursuing their interests, building leadership skills and confidence, and that he is there for them when they're unsure of the path ahead. "He taught me to do something that you really like, and it will take you far in life," one student said. Ready Washington's new video captures Mr. Hand's approach to teaching and the positive difference it is making for his students during and after high school. Watch the video on the Ready Washington website.
Exceptional Educators Day with the Mariners mariners
 

You are invited to join us on Sunday, April 14th, at T-Mobile Park as we celebrate and recognize award winning educators, including Washington's Teacher of the Year Robert Hand. CSTP, WEA, and OSPI are proud to partner with the Mariners in this celebration of accomplished teaching.


 

Discount tickets include a celebration with our Teacher of the Year, Regional Teachers of the Year, and partners at Outside Corner, and a good game between the Seattle Mariners and the Houston Astros. We hope you will join us beginning at 11:30 am for a pre-game gathering inside the ball park.

 

When: April 14, 2019
Discount Tickets: $15 View Level, $30 Main Level
Buy Now: www.mariners.com/NBCT Promo Code: NBCT
Ticket Sales end on April 14 at noon

 

Scheduled of Events
Pre-Ceremony Location: Outside Corner, 300 Level

11:10 am - Ballpark opens to guests
11:30 am - Pre-game event begins at Outside Corner located inside the ballpark in left field on the 300 level (see diagram above). Come meet friends, enjoy snacks, and hear from CSTP, OSPI, and WEA as well as the 2019 Teacher of the Year, Robert Hand and Regional Teachers of the Year
12:30 pm - Move to seats for the Teacher of the Year, Robert Hand's first pitch

1:10 pm - Game time! Seattle Mariners vs. Oakland Athletics
 - Game time! Seattle Mariners vs. Houston Astros

Get Your Free Tickets Now for Seattle Time's Ignite Education Lab
 
Melissa Charette, NBCT and 2018 ESD 113 Regional Teacher of the Year, presenting at the 2018 Ignite Lab.
Join Seattle Times for the fourth year of Ignite Education Lab for an evening of inspiring stories all about education.

You'll hear from students, teachers and parents. Each presenter shows 20 slides that automatically advance every 15 seconds, resulting in a fast-paced, five-minute talk. Learn more on the Seattle Time's website.

Date : March 11, 2019
Time : 7-9 p.m., doors open at 6:30
Location : Campion Ballroom at Seattle University, 914 East Jefferson Street, Seattle, WA 98122
Price : Tickets are FREE but limited, so reserve yours now. All ages are welcome.
WEA NBCT Home Stretch Winter Offerings
 
Home Stretch is a half or full-day event focused on supporting National Board candidates as they are making final revisions to components just before submission.  Home Stretch includes the opportunities for:
  • Peer Feedback on written commentary.  Small like-certificate groups will meet with one NBCT Facilitator to read and provide standards-based feedback on the written commentary for Components 2, 3, or 4 using a protocol specially designed for use at WEA Home Stretch events.
    • Note: February 23rd half-day events may not be structured in like-certificate format.
  • Supported Work Groups.  Dedicated work time with available NBCTs who can answer questions and provide support.
  • Component One Preparation (full-day events only).  In a small like-certificate group candidates will explore the selected response items, the constructed response exercises, and released items .
Registration is only open to WEA members. The cost to WEA members (via credit or debit card only) is:
  • Half Day (3-hour) Home Stretch - Early registration through 1/31/19, $45; registration 2/1/19 and after, $60 (registration fee includes lunch)
    • February 23, 2019: Camas, WA - 3-hour only session starts at 9:00 am and ends at noon with lunch.  REGISTER HERE.
    • February 23, 2019: Kennewick, WA - 3-hour only session starts at 9:00 am and ends at noon with lunch. REGISTER HERE.
  • Full Day (6-hour) Home Stretch - Early registration through 1/31/19, $75; registration 2/1/19 and after, $100 (registration fee includes lunch)
    • March 23, 2019: Spokane, WA - full-day only session starts at 9:00 am and ends at 3:30 pm (with lunch). REGISTER HERE.
    • April 20, 2019: Federal Way, WA - full-day only session starts at 9:00 am and ends at 3:30 pm (with lunch). REGISTER HERE.
For WEA members who are interested, you are welcome to register for more than one event. Note: Trainings may be cancelled should registration numbers not meet the minimum requirements. Members will be offered alternative options or refunds for cancelled events.
If you have any questions about registration, please contact Sheila Beaver at sbeaver@washingtonea.org   If you have any questions about the program, please contact Mark Woolsey at woolsey.m@wenatcheeschools.org or Luke Thomas at luke.thomas@mead354.org.
Apply Now for the Ellison Education Grant
 
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Applications are now being accepted until March 9 for the Ellison Education Grants. Grants are for K-12 public school teachers in Washington State. 
The Ellison Foundation will award ten grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 in the spring of 2019 (for use during the 2019-2020 school year). Applications must be submitted by March 9th, 2019.

To learn more and apply for the Ellison Education Grants visit:
http://ellison-foundation.org/ellison-education 
Stories From School Roundup 

SFSCSTP's Stories From School bloggers are always busy working on new stories.  Here is a recap of new articles for the past month.