President Biden Proclaims May 2022 as National Mental Health Awareness Month

"Each May we raise awareness about the importance of mental health and its impact on the well-being of all Americans, including children, adults, families, and communities across our Nation." "Mental health challenges among our youth have also been particularly acute due to disruptions in routines, increased social isolation, and learning loss." Read about President Biden's proclamation.

Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week

President Biden also proclaims May 3, 2022, as National Teacher Appreciation Day and May 1 through May 7, 2022, as National Teacher Appreciation Week. He "calls upon all Americans to recognize the hard work and dedication of our Nation’s teachers and to observe this day and this week by supporting teachers through appropriate activities, events, and programs." 

Humanities Washington Offers Free Access to Scholars for Your Classroom

Humanities Washington's Speakers Bureau brings historians, journalists, professors, and performers into your classroom for fascinating talks. Our 34 speakers are chosen not only for their expertise but also for their ability to inspire meaningful discussion among people of all ages and backgrounds. Based across Washington, our speakers can bring their presentations anywhere in the state. Humanities Washington covers all costs, so these talks are completely free to bring to your school!

Topics range from political polarization to the Indigenous roots of democracy, gentrification in rural Washington, our state's nuclear history, and much more. Go to Humanities Washington's Speakers Bureau page for the full roster and to learn more. Humanities Washington is a nonprofit and is the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

_{Photo: Humanities Washington Speaker Omari Amili; credit: Matt Owens}

Economics for Teachers Stipend

The Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE) is pleased to offer this professional development program for current and preservice teachers. The program goal is to provide educators with lesson plans of activities, economics content instruction, and a networking opportunity. Learn more about this opportunity.

TELL YOUR TEENS: Apply ASAP for Free Summer Program!

All high school-age students are invited to get hands-on with history at this summer's Youth Heritage Project (YHP), July 12-15 in Port Townsend!

YHP is a 4-day immersive program that connects 40 high schoolers and 8 adult mentors with historic, cultural, and natural resources throughout Washington. The program encourages high school age youth to explore new parts of the state and engage with real-world issues in the realms of history, culture, and preservation while developing leadership skills with their peers. 

Any high school-age youth may Apply now through May 13.

Students: Washington State is Looking for Young Leaders Like You!

The Washington State Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) is still accepting applications for the 2020-2022 cycle!

The Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) is a statewide leadership development and civic education program for students 14-18 years old. LYAC empowers young leaders to learn about and engage directly with the legislative process through education and advocacy. The program is fully youth-led with oversight from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.

Applications and letters of recommendations are due by May 15th, 2022. 

Justice in Action — Who Does What in the Courtroom, and Why?

Who is always in a courtroom during a trial or hearing?

Who else might be in a courtroom during a trial or hearing?

What are the responsibilities of each person in a courtroom setting?

What are the constraints on each person in a courtroom setting?

What dictates these responsibilities and constraints?

The latest blog from Washington Courts explains the answers to these questions and more. The Washington State Law Library has prepared additional resources for learning and teaching about legal roles, including lesson plans, and media.

See also Juvenile Justice - Consequences of Offenses to Offenders, Victims, and Community about learning to express ourselves in pro-social, problem-solving ways.

Apply for Civic Education Grants

The Civic Education Grant provides financial support to educators and students participating in high-quality civic education programs at the national, state, tribal and/or local government level. This includes how the governments were formed, how they make decisions, what effects they have on citizens, and how citizens can participate with decision makers.

Grants will generally be awarded between the range of $250.00 to $1,000.00. Grants will be considered in excess of $1,000.00 contingent on availability of funds and strength of application. Apply here.

Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage This Month!

Pay Tribute to Generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders Who've Enriched Our Lives

"The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America's history and are instrumental in its future success."

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage and History in the U.S.

"Since 1990, the U.S. government has designated the month of May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, celebrating the achievements and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the United States. The month of May was chosen to mark the arrival of the first Japanese immigrant to the United States on May 7, 1843, as well as the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869.  This Teacher’s Guide offers a collection of lessons and resources for K-12 social studies, literature, and arts classrooms that center around the experiences, achievements, and perspectives of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across U.S. history."  

Asian American and Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month

"Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have a rich heritage thousands of years old and have both shaped the history of the United States and had their lives dramatically influenced by moments in its history. Every May during Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and throughout the year, the National Park Service and our partners share those histories and the continuing culture thriving in parks and communities today."

Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA)

"Here in Washington, we have people from 42 different nations across Asia and the Pacific Islands that now call our state home. This month is a time for us to recognize the contributions of our ANHPI individuals and communities to Washington state, celebrate our cultures, and tell our stories. You can also follow us on Facebook for the latest information. Happy ANHPI Heritage Month!"

WSHM Honors Day of Remembrance

Free community performance and program commemorating the 80th anniversary of the wartime eviction of Japanese Americans

The Washington State Historical Society, writer and public historian Tamiko Nimura, and Tacoma Arts Live are teaming up to host a program commemorating the 80th anniversary of the forced eviction of Japanese and Japanese American people living in Tacoma. Languages of Memory: A South Sound Japanese American Day of Remembrance is free and open to all; no registration needed.

Washington State History Museum | Tuesday, May 17 | 6:00-8:30 PM

The program begins with a screening of the play Nihonjin Face, which was written by OSPI's own, Janet Hayakawa, education specialist at Densho, and Tere Martinez, a playwright and educator. Hayakawa will present a literary reading following the screening.

Also at WSHM:

The Negro Motorist Green Book: Exhibition about African American Actualization, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship

This multimedia exhibition is on view through June 12. Check it out!

Crossroads of History Project

Using Primary Sources to Develop and Implement Informed Meaningful Activity Plans Based on Social Justice and Civil Rights Issues

"The project will facilitate a careful, reversed chronological examination of social justice and civil rights incidents in U.S. history that mirror each other over time providing entry points for those involved in education in and outside of formal classroom settings to use primary sources and social justice standards to conduct meaningful dialog, learn and develop historical inquires, and inspire informed actions that give voice to marginalized communities."

Participants will:

• Have the option to earn college credit hours. The amount of credit is based on successful completion of activities.   
• Be recognized by NCCE as a Library of Congress Crossroads of History Project Participant 
• Be enrolled in the Crossroads of History Educator Community with access to peer-to-peer networks and coaching 

Find out more or Register for the program.

Judicial Institute is Back In-Person!

The Fourteenth Annual Judicial Institute for Teachers Grades 5-12 is back in-person!

The US Court and Seattle University School of Law offer this exciting opportunity to teachers in grades 5-12 in Western Washington at no cost. 23 FREE Clock Hours!

July 6, 7, & 8 | 8am-5pm, each day | In-person (Tacoma) | Learn more & Register

This institute is for Washington teachers in grades 5-12 who did not participate in a prior Judicial Institute. 

Attend the Eighth Annual IDM™ Summer Institute

Making Inquiry Possible

Sponsored by C3 Teachers and National Council for the Social Studies, the IDM Summer Institute is back! With more and more states adopting new standards featuring the C3 Framework and inquiry, the need for designing inquiry learning experiences in social studies is greater than ever. 

July 11-12 | Online | 10:00 am-4:00 pm, each day (Eastern time) | Register

Legislative Scholars Program

In-depth, Interactive Civic Education PD for all K-12 Educators

Learn about the legislative process and explore civic education resources. Hear directly from policy makers and leaders in state government. Connect with Supreme Court Justices to learn about Washington Courts. Develop lesson plans and classroom activities for students of all ages. Earn 20+ clock hours free of charge.

July 18-21 | Registration opens June 1st | Virtual, with optional in-person day June 22 | See the flyer

Contact Civic.Ed@leg.wa.gov with questions and for more information.