We have a powerful potential in our youth, and we must have the courage to change old ideas and practices so that we may direct their power toward good ends.
Mary McLeod Bethune
Mary McLeod Bethune
Welcome to February and a new semester, and thank you for your ongoing partnership with us as we work to build and sustain communities in which ALL learners can thrive. When I was nine years old I was given a biography of the great educator Mary McLeod Bethune for my birthday. Her story, her passion, and her commitment to social justice inspired me to become an educator, and her words still ring true today! As a district and as a department we are working to "change old ideas and practices" while building on the remarkable work that has taken place in the past so that all students may realize their "powerful potential."
Here are a few key updates:
- Our Inclusion Task Force has been meeting to review practices, structures, strategies, and outcomes in our special education services. We are reviewing data from staff and family surveys, academic data, current structures and resource allocations, and data from school visits to help inform recommendations for next steps as we move toward more powerful, inclusive learning in Seattle. Many thanks to our talented and committed task force members for their time and commitment, and thanks to schools and teachers who hosted team visits in January! By the end of March we hope to have a three-year schedule of recommendations that will work in partnership with the District's Excellence For All goals and initiatives.
- Our Emotional/Behavioral project team is up and running, prepared to visit schools and create a template for effective emotional/behavioral service delivery. Stacey McCrath-Smith is our team lead in this project, and again we are grateful for the talented and committed staff members who are working on this key initiative.
- We continue to offer Professional Development to all staff, and are excited by the partnership we've formed with Curriculum and Instruction. Our skilled staff are co-teaching the mandatory modules in Math, Literacy, and Writer's Workshop so that a) general education teachers learn how to differentiate instruction and support ALL learners, and b) teachers of special education learn core curriculum along with their colleagues. Cassie Martin, specialist from the University of Washington, continues to provide Professional Development in inclusion with a focus on students on the Autism spectrum, and we are preparing for an full day of professional development on the March 19th waiver day.
- I recently met with leaders from the teacher education programs at City University, Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University, and the University of Washington. Students in these pre-service programs are strongly advised to work toward two endorsements--one in a content area and another in special education, reading, or ELL, recognizing that most districts are working toward providing inclusive services. Teacher preparation programs are also training new teachers to work on collaborative teams, and as they place student teachers they want them to experience collaboration and co-teaching in inclusive classrooms. We look forward to deepening our partnerships and aligning our practice with our university colleagues.
- See here for information about enrollment and school open houses.
- Last week I was able to do a learning walk at Ballard High School, looking for evidence of differentiated instruction, high leverage teaching moves, and students with IEPs having access to general education curriculum. I was impressed by Ballard students and staff and the supportive community they have created.
