We're Looking for the 2019 Teacher of the Year

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 02/21/2018 09:16 AM PST

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Nominate an Educator for 2019 Washington Teacher of the Year

Please help us spread the word about Washington’s Teacher of the Year nominations (due March 1). Our goal is to get a diverse pool of nominees from all 295 school districts in our state—we can’t do this alone!

Here’s what you can do:

1. Share the social media graphic on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.

Sample Tweet: Do you know a great teacher? A leader who inspires others? Nom today for Teacher of the Year! bit.ly/2018ToYNom.
Use Twitter and Facebook graphics.

2. Email your district superintendents and/or principals with these key messages:

Link to nominate: http://bit.ly/2019ToYNom
The nomination deadline for 2019 Teacher of the Year is March 1, 2018.
Our goal for 2019 is to get at least one nomination from every school district.
Please submit a nomination from your district/school AND encourage the following groups to nominate too: other teachers, classified staff, community members, businesses, service organizations, parents and adult caregivers, and students.
Share the 2019ToYPoster.pdf and encourage buildings and districts to hang it in places where the public is likely to see it.

3. Feature the social media graphic or poster on your homepage. Encourage principals to share it in school newsletters.

4. Ask parent and family leaders, local business, and your city council or mayor to help you spread the word.

5. Send a reminder email to superintendents and/or principals with these key messages:

Link to nominate: http://bit.ly/2019ToYNom
The nomination deadline for 2019 Teacher of the Year is March 1, 2018.
Anyone can nominate! All you need is basic information about your nominee (job title, school, contact information) and a statement of nomination (no more than one page).

6. Share on social media 2 - 4 days before the deadline.

More about Teacher of the Year

Teacher of the Year is equal parts recognition and professional development. Regional Teachers of the Year participate with their cohort in extensive training in communications, advocacy, and policy. The State Teacher of the Year serves as a teacher in residence for the Teacher of the Year program from January - June of their award year. Their district and building must release them from their primary teaching responsibilities.

During that time, the state pays for a co-teacher in their classroom, provides a state car, and a travel stipend. This allows the State Teacher of the Year to perform their duties without putting undue hardship on them, their district, or their students. Ideally, every State Teacher of the Year will design a plan for their travel and other duties that allows them to stay connected to their students, colleagues, and co-teacher. The State Teacher of the Year's duties during the teacher in residence period include:

Represent the state at all required National Teacher of the Year events.
Respond to and fulfill all Teacher of the Year speaking requests, presentations, etc.
Network with and travel to every ESD and teacher preparation program in the state.
Sit on the WATAC leadership team and help plan the spring conference.
Identify and take on at least one statewide initiative and carry out activities to support it.
Design and carry out a personal communication plan to include a social media and web presence, traditional media strategy, and other publications.
Promote the Teacher of the Year program statewide.
Build relationships with statewide stakeholders.

Washington's State Teacher of the Year is selected from a slate of finalists submitted by the ESDs. Candidates must go through the regional process to be considered for the state award.

Get Nominated (deadline March 1, 2018)
Complete the Application (deadline April 1, 2018)
Go Through Regional Selection (by July 15, 2018)

For more information - 2019WAToYProgramDates.pdf

Hilary Seidel
Statewide Recognition Coordinator
Office of Educator Growth and Development
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
600 Washington St. SE | Olympia, WA 98504-7200
P.O. Box 47200 | Olympia, WA 98504-7200
office: 360-725-6117 | tty: 360-664-3631

Hilary.Seidel@k12.wa.us | www.k12.wa.us

EVERY STUDENT READY FOR CAREER, COLLEGE, AND LIFE
Led by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, OSPI oversees K-12 public education in Washington state. Our mission is to provide funding, resources, tools, data and technical assistance that enable educators to ensure students succeed in our public schools, are prepared to access post-secondary training and education, and are equipped to thrive in their careers and lives.

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES
Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com.

OSPI provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to the Equity and Civil Rights Director, P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504-7200, 360-725-6162 (TTY: 360-664-3631), equity@k12.wa.us.