Association of Washington State Principals (AWSP) has selected the 2020 Washington State Principals of the Year. Congratulations to Mandi Rehn from Opportunity Elementary in Central Valley School District and David Cooke from Jemtegaard Middle School in Washougal School District. Learn more about these candidates on the AWSP website.

Principal nominations are accepted from community members, students, parents, colleagues and teachers. Would you like to nominate a principal for the 2021 award year? Nominate a principal now.

The Professional Educator Standards Board has announced that select WEST tests used for certification will become available for online proctoring starting in December 2020. The online tests will be rolled out in phases between December 2020-April 2021. Learn more about the available tests and timeline in this PESB document.

CSTP would like to hear from you! We’re interested in hearing about the successes, wins and celebrations (big and small!) you and/or your students have experienced this school year. What are things you’ve done in your classroom, with your colleagues or for your own professional growth this year that is working? Teachers, in particular, are craving ideas and strategies that are working for others. We want to share those successes and ideas with a broader educator audience on our website and social media.

On the flip side, we are also collecting the challenges you are facing as educators in this strange and new educational context. What are barriers for your work as an educator? Are there issues (big and small) that, if addressed, would make your educator life easier? Do you have ideas or solutions for tackling these challenges? CSTP will review these submissions and may share particular ones to specific stakeholder groups/decision makers and/or figure out ways we can, organizationally and with partners, address these issues.

In partnership with OSPI, CSTP is excited to announce the WERD (WA Educators Read and Discuss) Book Study. This opportunity is open to all Washington paraeducators, teachers, principals, administrators and ESAs. Registration is free and 10 clock hours per study will be available.

Starting on January 21, we will feature Culturally Responsive Education in the Classroom: An Equity Framework for Pedagogy by Dr. Adeyemi Stembridge.

Our second book study will feature Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson and will kick-off on February 18.

Pro Tip: Districts with OSPI's 664 TPEP iGrant can use those funds to purchase books for their teachers and can register a team.

Visit our website to learn more and register.

CSTP is offering statewide online component facilitation for National Board candidates in 2020-21. Support is offered for Components 1 and 3 starting in January. Register now to save your seat!

In this free webinar on Thursday, December 10 at 12:30 p.m. PST, join the League of Education Voters for a conversation with a statewide panel of Latino thought leaders, community leaders, and educators to share their perspectives on current events and what works to effectively educate Latino students. This panel features Estella Ortega, Executive Director of El Centro de la Raza; Maria Esther Zamora, English Language Development teacher at Spokane Virtual Academy; Superintendent Robert Elizondo of the Touchet School District; Suzy Diaz, Director of Collective Impact at Heritage University and convener of Yakima Valley Partners for Education.

School demonstration sites talk about inclusionary practices they are using and how they are working in their school. Registration is free and clock hours are provided by UW Haring Center.

Date and time: 12/3 at 2:00 pm

Inclusionary Practices Highlighted: Pyramid model, MTSS: Multi-tiered Systems of Support, inclusive vision and mission

Do you have a question about your Learning Management System? Submit it here, in our Facebook group or to our Twitter accounts.

The Canvas LMS calendar is a great way to help students organize assignments across classes! Here’s a guide on how to use the calendar feature.

Welcome to new Help Desk teacher, Lesa!

New "Submitted" exception code is now in Schoology Grade Book to indicate that you have received an assignment but not graded it yet. It doesn't factor in overall grade. If you don't see this option yet, ask your district Schoology Administrator.

Are students missing your links in activities? Students that struggle with executive functioning will appreciate these strategies. Watch 3 tips for linking in Seesaw. The best one is last!

Badges and clock hours are available for those completing any of the 16 available asynchronous modules in the Teacher Tech Project. Each completed module is worth one clock hour.

Learn more on the CSTP website.

First-grader Delaney Jones video has gone viral for all of the best reasons. As she was creating an art video to cheer up her teachers, her dad and brothers enter the picture as back-up dancers. If you are motivated to create your own art, check-out the second video on how to make Star Wars Snowflakes with links to free Star Wars snowflake templates.

Your gift ensures that CSTP continues to support student achievement through a focus on teaching excellence. With you as a partner in CSTP’s mission, you directly make a difference in the lives of youth across Washington State schools. Donations are tax deductible and essential as CSTP works to support educators navigate unique models of student engagement during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Liking and sharing our posts on social media is another way you can support CSTP during these times. Thank you for sharing our message.