Dr. David Knight, associate professor in Educational Foundations, Leadership & Policy, co-authored an op-ed with Kendall Fujioka, Ph.D. student in Educational Policy, Organizations & Leadership and J.D. candidate in the UW School of Law, for The Seattle Times titled “Post McCleary, WA school funding doesn’t add up.” In the piece, they discuss the state of Washington state’s K-12 school finance system and the inequities in school funding that followed the McCleary decision.
How the Ballmers Aim to Build and Diversify the Early Ed Workforce in Washington State
Inside Philanthropy published an article titled “How the Ballmers Aim to Build and Diversify the Early Ed Workforce in Washington State.” The article highlights the $43 million gift from the Ballmer Group to build, strengthen and diversify the state’s early childhood education workforce, including the $38 million gift for the University of Washington College of Education. The article also features William White, founding director of My Brother’s Teacher, and his work to diversify the educator workforce. The article requires payment for those not subscribed to Inside Philanthropy, but is attached as a PDF to this email.
A hub of early learning excellence takes shape in the Rainier Valley
Dean Mia Tuan co-authored an op-ed with Ben Danielson from the UW School of Medicine for The Seattle Times titled "A hub of early learning excellence takes shape in the Rainier Valley." In the piece, they discuss the planned Rainier Valley Early Learning Campus and how it will ensure high-quality, affordable and culturally-affirming child care and preschool for children in southeast Seattle, as well as unite high-quality learning for young children alongside a focus on high-quality learning for adults, from UW students to working professionals seeking to enhance their career development. It will also leverage the UW’s expertise in research and dissemination to have a national impact on workforce development.
11 administrators complete Leading for Better Instruction program
The University of Washington’s Center for Educational Leadership (CEL) was recently highlighted in an article by The Orchard Foundation titled “11 administrators complete Leading for Better Instruction program.” The article highlights 11 Central Louisiana public school administrators who completed a three-year instructional leadership program that aims to improve classroom instruction and student achievement, a training curriculum for administrators developed for Central Louisiana by CEL. The goal is to develop instructional leaders, not just managers, to lead schools throughout Central Louisiana.
UW’s Sisterhood Initiative aims to build community for women of color
The Sisterhood Initiative (SI) is highlighted in an article by The Seattle Times titled “UW’s Sisterhood Initiative aims to build community for women of color,” with Rashida Love, director of the SI, and Lauren Cataldo, student success coordinator for the SI being featured, along with several SI students. The article highlights what the Sisterhood Initiative program is, how it supports women of color on UW’s campus and what the future of the SI looks like. The article also provides insights from current SI students about their first year in the program.
Female Equity Leaders of Color Are Undervalued and Undercut
Ann Ishimaru, associate professor of Educational Foundations, Leadership & Policy, had an opinion piece published in Education Week titled “Female Equity Leaders of Color Are Undervalued and Undercut.” Ann discusses and expands on three ways school districts can begin to better set Black women and other women of color up for success in their district equity leadership: provide substantive organizational resources, trust their expertise and build professional supports and networks.
How a Big Donation is Making a Difference for One Local Computer Science Program
Anne Beitlers, associate teaching professor of Teaching, Learning & Curriculum and director of STEP, and Amy Ko, professor at the Information School and adjunct professor at the Allen School are featured in an article by 425 Business titled “How a Big Donation is Making a Difference for One Local Computer Science Program.” The article highlights the $400,000 Google donation to the Secondary Teacher Education Program Computer Science (CS) Program and how that financial support will be used not only for growth but also to subsidize the tuition of teacher candidates who historically have been in CS’ margins — People of Color, women, members of the LGBTQ+ community and/or those living with disabilities.
‘Everything that you need is already in you’: Supporting young women of color through the Sisterhood Initiative
Rashida Love, director of the Sisterhood Initiative, and Joe Lott, associate professor of Educational Foundations, Leadership & Policy and founding director of the Brotherhood Initiative, as well as the Sisterhood Initiative and Brotherhood Initiative programs, are highlighted in an article by UW News titled “‘Everything that you need is already in you’: Supporting young women of color through the Sisterhood Initiative.” The article highlights how this year is the first year of the Sisterhood Initiative, which is a cohort-based program of weekly seminars, regular support groups, guest speakers and activities and is designed to support 30 to 40 young women a year, allowing each class to become mentors to the one entering after it. It also highlights how the success of the Brotherhood Initiative helped lead to the created of the Sisterhood Initiative.
With new addition, Imagine Children’s Museum doubles in size
Lakeya Omogun, assistant professor of language, literacy and culture in Teaching, Learning & Curriculum, is quoted in an article by the HeraldNet titled “With new addition, Imagine Children’s Museum doubles in size.” She discusses how the arts are healing and how music, art, dance and play can help students overcome anxiety and depression. A museum visit can offer a window into other cultures and can inspire creativity, foster cooperation and banish feelings of isolation, she said.
Improving the Preparation Pipeline for Black Teachers: 5 Ideas From Experts
Niral Shah, associate professor of Learning Sciences & Human Development and affiliate faculty in the Banks Center for Educational Justice, wrote an opinion piece for an EducationWeek article titled “Improving the Preparation Pipeline for Black Teachers: 5 Ideas From Experts.” The author of the article asked five experts to suggest in 250 words or less how the nation’s teacher preparation pipeline can be overhauled to work better for candidates of color, especially Black educators. Niral writes about how a healthy, effective preparation pipeline would provide race-focused education that is rooted in practice.