Teacher News

Five SPS teachers won Symetra awards.  From SPS Communications:

Abbey Buchert, Decatur Elementary School; Zoe Manzo, Sand Point Elementary School; Danielle Meier, Highland Park Elementary School, Douglas Pentland, Concord International Elementary School; and Travis Peterson, Whittier Elementary School were recognized as one of 2018 Symetra Heroes in the Classroom educators. 

Throughout the fall, the Symetra Hero in the Classroom awards and a donation for classroom books and supplies were presented to the educators in a surprise school assembly in each school. The honorees also received Seahawk home game tickets and acknowledgment during on-field presentations at the game. 

Each of the schools with a 2018 Hero award is eligible to participate in the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom MVP Award, a $20,000 grant in support of innovative student programming. Proposals will go out to eligible schools in early 2019 and the winning submission will be announced at a springtime event at CenturyLink Field for the Heroes, their principals and school district leadership.
Washington State continues to be a leader in the number of board certified teachers ( third in the country for number of teachers but number one in growth for the second consecutive year).  While the national average is 3%,  From the Spokesman Review:
More than 1,400 Washington teachers received certification last year from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, securing the state as No. 1 in the nation for certified teacher growth and putting it in stark contrast with neighbors Idaho and Oregon, according to new data released by the board.
From OSPI:
Washington consistently ranks among the top in the country on other NBCT figures:
  • Number of new NBCTs: 854 (national rank: 1st)
  • Number of renewed certificates: 775 (national rank: 2nd)
  • Total NBCTs: 10,859 (national rank: 3rd)
  • Percentage of teachers who are NBCTs: 18.74 percent (national rank: 2nd)
  • Percentage of NBCTs employed in Washington school districts: approximately 88 percent

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