Here is the latest NBCT newsletter from the WEA and Dr. Jim Meadows. It includes legislative updates and professional development opportunities, as well as highlights of great work being done around the state by local educators.
NBCTs in the News...
Lynnwood Teacher Named 2013 Pearson Foundation Global Learning Fellow
The NEA Foundation recently announced that Susan Sellers (NBCT, Edmonds EA), a health and physical education teacher at Lynnwood Elementary, has been named a 2013 Pearson Foundation Global Learning Fellow. With this honor, Sellers joins a unique class of 36 award-winning public school educators who will build their global competency skills, or the capacity and disposition to understand and act on issues of global significance.
“In order for students to be prepared for the global age, their educators must be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and disposition to teach in the global age,” said Harriet Sanford, President and CEO of the NEA Foundation. “Our Global Learning Fellows program has an intentional focus on supporting educators as they strengthen their global competencies: investigating the world beyond one’s immediate environment; recognizing multiple perspectives; communicating ideas effectively with diverse audiences; and taking action to improve conditions.”
Sellers will tour Brazil, from June 19-27 and visit schools in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The trip’s goal is to provide educators with structured opportunities to observe classroom instruction and to interact with Brazilian teachers and administrators. It also includes opportunities to investigate Brazil’s rich historical and cultural landmarks. At the conclusion of the Pearson Foundation Global Learning Fellowship, educators begin working on a final project to create a lesson plan, unit plan, or full curriculum integrated with global competency skills. By creating this plan, and then sharing with educators around the world via an open source platform, Fellows are contributing to an increasing field of knowledge on this topic. Furthermore, the Fellows become positioned to lead the profession by becoming advocates for global learning and global competence within their schools, communities, and districts.
US DOE Ambassador Lisa Clarke Engaged Educators with Policy
During Teacher Appreciation Week, the Teaching Ambassador Fellows held discussions with teachers at the U.S. Department of Education. Washington state NBCT Lisa Clarke (pictured below, far right) and Marciano Gutierrez hosted a group of more than 18 teachers from the Council for Exceptional Children.
The educators provided insights into a number of policy issues, including teacher evaluation, professional learning, rigorous standards, school leadership, and the specific rewards and challenges of teaching students with disabilities. One teacher from Pennsylvania described how he is evaluated for every student with which he has contact. "If you have lunch duty, you've just earned yourself 400 contacts!" he added.
Olympia Update…
Legislators Target Health Care Benefits for Part-time Workers
State budget writers return to Olympia this week after the long holiday weekend– and they’re still proposing to eliminate current health care benefits for part-time school employees.
Under Senate Bill 5905, approximately 13,000 WEA members would lose their current health care coverage. Some might qualify for the new health care exchange under the federal Affordable Care Act, but others might not. Meanwhile, legislators, who are part-time employees and receive full health benefits, exempt themselves from SB 5905. Email your legislators in Olympia and tell them to oppose Senate Bill 5905.
Here is why thousands of K-12 employees, higher education staff and state workers oppose SB 5905:
Higher costs and lower benefits for many employees
Much poorer access to healthcare, especially for those who don’t qualify for subsidies or for coverage under the exchange
Interruption in the continuity of treatment for those who are in the midst of battling a serious illness such as cancer or heart disease
Some will be unable to afford the very expensive coverage that is the only thing available to them
Here’s what one WEA member wrote in an email to legislators:
“As a higher-education professional, I can assure you that many part-time school employees rely on their current health care coverage to keep their families healthy. Indeed, it's one of the incentives that attracted many of us to the education profession and encourages us to continue dedicating ourselves to this field. If eligibility for state-funded health coverage is revoked, it will be much harder for school districts at all levels to attract and retain quality employees.”
Download the flyer with facts about SB 5905 and the long list of groups that oppose it. Email your legislators in Olympia and tell them to oppose Senate Bill 5905. Visit www.OurVoiceWashingtonEA.org for the most current information.
Local Action Network Leaders
Ann-Hayes Bell (NBCT, Edmonds) and Kristing McClain (NBCT, Shoreline EA) have been leading the NBCT Local Action Network (LAN) in the 32nd legislative district. Kristine and Ann convened 32nd NBCTs this legislative session in person to participate in a “tele-town hall.” Thanks for your leadership in reaching out to legislators and connecting them with NBCTs, Kristine and Ann! Pictured clockwise from top left: Kristine McLane, Lisa Markussen, Ali Airhart, Karen Rautenberger, Ann Hayes-Bell and Mary Bannister.
Professional Development Opportunities...
Common Core State Standards Jump Start at Summer U
The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. (Council of Chief State School Officers, 2013)
By 2014-15, Washington state will implement the CCSS and a new, aligned student assessment system. What do these new standards mean for teaching and learning? What “shifts” do they require in literacy and mathematics? What voice do WEA members have in helping ensure that educators have the time and resources to implement the standards in ways that improve student learning?
Join us for this exciting new pilot training series, taught by practicing WEA members with support from staff at the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), the National Education Association (NEA) and Student Achievement Partners (SAP). Given the collaborative nature of this training, priority access will be given to those registered as part of a team of 3 or more individuals. Individual registrants will be admitted on a space-available basis.
Dates: July 29 - August 1, 2013 (8:30 am – 4:30 pm daily)
Location: WEA Summer University, Marysville Getchell High School in Marysville
Cost: $200 for full WEA; $800 for non-members on a space available basis
Who: Teams of at least 3! This event is particularly relevant for teachers and ESPs
working with students with reading and math; WEA governance and staff
leaders interested in CCSS.
Registration opens June 3rd; check the WEA website on Friday for more information and a link to sign up.
WEA English Language Learners Jump Start: Registration for Summer Seminars is Now Open!
To close the achievement gaps and help all students succeed, schools need a new vision of English Language Learner (ELL) students that recognizes they are culturally and linguistically enriched and economically diverse. WEA is pleased to offer a new, 4-Day seminar, English Language Learners: Culture, Equity & Language Training Module for Closing the Achievement Gaps. The purpose of the training to support and assist educators in understanding how to apply the best research-based ELL, culture and equity practices in the classroom. Choose from two location options: WSU Spokane Campus (June 24-27, 2013) or Summer University at Marysville-Getchell High School (July 29-August 1, 2013). Read more about ELL Jump Start...
Click Here to register for the Spokane ELL Jump Start
Click Here to register for the Summer U Marysville ELL Jump Start
Leadership Opportunities...
Common Core/Smarter Balance Opportunities
OSPI is recruiting educators to participate in creating resources, tools and professional learning supports aligned with the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics and related assessments.
State Network of Educators (SNE) team members will be a part of the early development process for the Smarter Balance Digital Library. SNE members will be responsible for reviewing and contributing resources to the Digital Library. In exchange, members will have early access to the Library and access to new collaboration capabilities so they can work on this project with educators across Smarter Balance states.
Washington's SNE will be comprised of 92 educators in K-12 and higher education with expertise in:
Formative assessment (e.g., collecting evidence of student learning as you teach and using it to adjust instruction)
The Common Core for ELA and Mathematics
General education
Gifted and talented students
English Language Learners (ELL)
Students with Disabilities (SWD)
Online applications are due June 3. To apply, go to: http://www.k12.wa.us/SMARTER/.
The work will occur between August of 2013 and September of 2014. Members will participate in five (5) web-based trainings; review at least three resources and propose content for the Digital Library; and provide feedback to software usability. A stipend of up to $1500 is available SNE members. For more information, contact Terese Otto at (360) 725-6414 or WA.Smarter.SNE@k12.wa.us.
More Opportunities
Throughout this spring, OSPI will be recruiting educators to assist with Range Finding, Item Writing, and Content and Data Review processes associated with development of the summative assessment component of the system. To learn more about how to get involved with these other Smarter Balanced opportunities for educators, contact Beth Simpson at (360) 725-6442 or beth.simpson@k12.wa.us.
Latest @ WEA....
Mary Lindquist’s latest e-Chalk
Have you checked out Mary’s latest bi-weekly eChalk update? Click on this LINK and then share your thoughts in the comments section.
Do you have something you'd like us to share in the next NBCT Update? Email us at: NBCT.news@washingtonea.org.