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Diversifying the Educator Workforce (DEW) events focus on strategies that increase underrepresented candidates in the educator workforce and help develop action to further grow the next generation of educators.
On March 5, PESB and the Gates Foundation co-hosted a DEW conference with a focus on educator retention. More than 150+ individuals came together to hear and share strategies to increase underrepresented candidates in the educator workforce, with the focus on pathways efforts to retain a diverse teacher workforce and maintain and sustain grow your own programs. Conference attendees ranged from educators, students, administrators, community organizers, and various partners from across the state and nation.
Erin Jones, an Education and Systems Consultant, kicked the morning off by facilitating a panel of education professionals to discuss retention efforts at the district level for educators of color.
Panel members discussed the ways schools and districts are attracting and retaining educators of color, ranging from what has worked and what has not, and where we have been successful and where we have opportunities for growth.
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Amaya Garcia, Deputy Director for English learner education with the Education Policy program at New America will provided the keynote for the day and focused on the issue of teacher retention through an examination at the national and state levels. Grow your own (GYO) programs were highlighted as one potential tool for supporting teachers throughout the continuum of recruitment, preparation, induction, and retention.
Trish Millines Dziko, Executive Director at the Technology Access Foundation, facilitated an afternoon panel on retention of future educators of color in educator preparation programs. The panel addressed the pipeline of teachers of color not filling quickly enough, and the challenges candidates of color face once in their education programs.
Panelists discussed the work currently being done by universities, nonprofits, and government to support teachers of color, and the role district administrations have in the placement of teachers of color to ensure they receive a positive start to their career.
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Throughout the day, attendees engaged in vulnerability, knowledge-sharing, growth-centered conversations, and developed practical takeaways to help shape and guide their work.
View conference materials online.
For two years, a rural school district tucked away along the Olympic Peninsula experienced a vacancy for their high school Spanish teacher position. As a result, student learning suffered. Eventually a community member named Reed was hired on a conditional certificate, while the school worked with him as he enrolled, and completed his teaching certificate through an Alternative Route program.
 This story is just one example, from one school, in one small area of Washington. Shortages similar to this are experienced across all geographic regions, in all subject matter content areas and specialty support roles. Washington is also experiencing a shortage of educators who meet the racial, ethnic, and linguistic demographics of our students.
Published by the Professional Educator Standards Board, a new report examines indicators and approaches to the shortage, explores multilevel complexities, offers descriptive data, and highlights current and future strategies tied to solutions.
Read the full announcement.
Governor Inslee has appointed veteran educators, Michelle Milne and Adam Aguilera, as the newest members to join the Professional Educator Standards Board. Adam and Shelly bring a wealth of knowledge, professional experience, and a proven track record of commitment towards improving and advancing education policy. We look forward to their future support of ensuring all Washington educators are highly qualified and trained professionals who meet the diverse and unique needs our students.
Read the full announcement.
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On behalf of the Paraeducator Board, we invite you to join us on March 19 to celebrate progress of the Paraeducator Certificate Program. A panel will discuss implementation topics, including the new minimum employment requirements, the certificate program, the pilot midterm report, pilot site recommendations, and funding. This gathering is an excellent opportunity to meet with and learn from the leaders who are piloting and managing the certificate program.
When: Tuesday, March 19, 2019 from 3-5 p.m.
Where: Seattle Airport Marriot, 3201 South 176th Street, Seattle, WA 98188
Maximum attendance for this event is 100. Register online to attend.
Workforce development is a major area of focus and influence when it comes to educator quality. School districts rely on their Human Resource (HR) practices to make informed decisions on educator recruitment, retainment and development. To better support district HR offices, PESB and OSPI have developed an online training module to assist HR staff in their efforts to identify, hire, and support the educators who best meet their district’s workforce needs.
Users will be able to:
- Self-assess and deepen their knowledge in specific areas
- Examine all of the resources to assist them in attracting, recruiting, hiring and retaining effective teachers
- Address equitable access and the teacher shortage in Washington state
- Increase educator diversity for the benefit of all students
- Learn about best practices currently being used in Washington state
See the online module.
Questions? Please contact Jeannie Beierle at 360-725-6340 or jeannie.beierle@k12.wa.us
The ProTeach Portfolio is an evidence-based assessment designed for teachers seeking the Washington professional certificate. With the enactment of E2SHB 1341 by the Legislature, the ProTeach Portfolio assessment contract with ETS will be terminated on December 31, 2019.
Candidates who have not downloaded or printed a copy of their WA ProTeach report will have until Midnight April 30, 2019 to do so. After this time reports will no longer be available. To download and/or print a copy of your report log in to your WA ProTeach account and access the "My Scores" tab and then select "My Score Report" from the left side screen menu. Reports can be saved as PDF for future printing or sent directly to a printer.
Learn more on the ProTeach website.
The Paraeducator Certificate Program offers statewide standards-based training for all paraeducators, and supports a career growth ladder for those who wish to pursue a teaching profession. New resources on the paraeducator program are now available.
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Paraeducator certificate options (infographic) - Learn about the different levels and options available through the new paraeducator program.
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FAQ for paraeducators - This FAQ answers questions on training compensation, salary advancement, program funding, and program purpose.
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Webinar recording (video) - This presentation included an overview of the new paraeducator employment requirements, the upcoming Paraeducator Certificate Program, and the Legislative ask to fund this professional development. This video is a great resource to learn and prepare for the successful implementation of the program.
For more information on the certificate program, please visit our website.
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- March 21-22 at Seattle Airport Marriott in Seattle - See agenda
- May 16-17 at the Hampton Inn in Richland
- July 15-16 at the Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine
- March 20-21 at Seattle Airport Marriott in Seattle - See agenda
- May 15-16 at the Hampton Inn in Richland
- July 17-18 at the Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine
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