CRSJ News – December 2024
Happy Holiday Season to you all!
In preparation for this newsletter, I began to reminisce about being a little girl walking to the Douglas Truth Library in Seattle.. During my reflection, I recalled one day walking up to the counter and skimming through the card catalog searching for the books on those little yellow cards. Eventually I found myself sitting in the corner of the library reading poems. It was on that day I became fond of Langston Hughes and Gwendolyn Brooks, two powerful Black poets who were very popular for their thought-provoking words and sharp attitudes. This day stands out because of the joy I felt reading their poems for the first time and how it has raised my spirits on many other occasions. As we do our racial and social justice work, we need to remember finding joy is a form of resistance.
This edition of the CRSJ newsletter will focus on Black and Brown SEA members’ joy and how we have held space with others in the community. See below resources from your CRSJ advisory team.
May you find peace and JOY with family, friends, and loved-ones this holiday season.
In Solidarity,
Elizabeth Ward-Robertson
CRSJ Director
This month’s issue has resources about:
- A Call Out to Help Uplift Educators’ Voice with the 9:29
- CRSJ “Joy” corner
- Professional Development
- Local Community & Labor Engagements
- Upcoming calendar events
CRSJ Advisory Committee: Director Elizabeth Ward-Robertson, Nisha Daniel, Matt Legacki, Toni O’Neal, Davina Diaz, Jennifer Matter, UniServ Director Uti Hawkins
All SEA members, especially our members of color, are encouraged to attend our monthly SEA Representative Assembly at John Marshall. Every month at RA, we set aside time to uplift your voices during the 9:29 RA assembly to reflect on the George Floyd uprising in April 2021. Your CRSJ advisory team wants to call you in to share on the December topic below. Please contact me with any questions or concerns.
December topics:
- How do you celebrate or express/show your Joy?
- Please share any specific accomplishments or most joyful moments this year.
I hope to see you there!
CRSJ advisory team Joy Corner share out:
Black Joy | Roya Marsh | All Def Poetry
Shining Stars: Poems of Young Black Joy by Daniel Allen Sims
Ebony Steward, poem about Joy TODAY! Bing Videos
Event suggested by Toni O’Neal (CRSJ advisor).
We, The Sisterhood, are committed to being a part of the way forward, inviting you to the “We Shall Be Free: A Vision for Education 2025 & Beyond” virtual conference, a crucial platform for addressing the challenges we face in education today.
We Shall Be Free: A Vision for Education 2025 & Beyond Registration, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
WEA Professional Development Notices:
More details about the courses at wea-win.org.
After you register, you will receive the link to access the training on your “My Events” tab through your wea-win account. If you click the Join Now button, you must also complete a short Zoom registration.
You can access your online course links through your WEA-WIN account on your ‘My Events’ tab. It is important to know that you will need to use your personal email address.
- C: 11/18 -12/3-4/24 Successful Inclusion of student with High Support Needs (ESP & Equity)
Participants will learn why and how to include students with significant disabilities. Participants will examine research around the benefits of including students with significant disabilities in the general education classroom and learn collaboration tools and strategies for evidence-based inclusive practices.
- C: 12/9/24 Teacher Certificate 101
Learn about the latest teacher certificate renewal requirements! Teachers and CTE teachers will become familiar with recent certification policy changes. Find out more about the new equity-based school practices certificate renewal requirement, STEM requirement, and the next steps you need to take to renew your certificate. Learn how to add an endorsement and explore the basics of National Board Certification. You will consider completing a Professional Growth Plan (PGP), and review OSPI’s eCertification platform. This course meets the Washington state certificate renewal requirement for leadership.
- C: 12/11/24 Developing TPEP Student Growth Goals with the New Rubrics
All teachers in all districts will be evaluated this year using the new student growth goal rubrics. Learn about the changes to TPEP Student Growth Goals. Examine the shifts, including an increased focus on educator reflection, and the role of educator knowledge of students’ assets in developing student growth goals. Learn about the student growth critical attributes, and how these critical attributes may already be part of your practice. You will have the opportunity to explore tools and resources for your own student growth goal-setting process. This course meets the Washington state certificate renewal requirement for leadership.
Saturday December 14 Virtual invite only – SPS Racial Equity Team Institute
Monday December 16 EMAC holiday celebration at the Royal Room Esquire, So Seattle
Please make sure you register to attend at the EMAC flyer link.
NEA Black Caucus announced:
January 22 | February 26 | March 26 | April 30 | May 21 | all 7p.m.-8:30 p.m. CST
This event is sponsored by the Illinois Education Association(IEA) ,the first 100 IEA Members to register at the Abolitionist Level will receive a copy of the book for free
Link to register:
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=1bgkulqhwUym5qnanYdmrzDMsa8I4fBEj3mwYc2y_vVUNE5COTZFRExJTU5GSUVOVkRJQ1dIR1JIMC4u&route=shorturlLocal
Restorative Practice Committee – Roosevelt Alumni for Racial Equity (RARE)
December Events:
December 1 Anniversary of Rosa Parks Arrest
Explore our collection of Rosa Parks quotes — including quotes about her arrest
December 2 International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
December 3 International Day of disabled person
December 24-25 Christmas Holiday
December 25- January 2 Hanukkah
December 31 Karamu Ya Imani (Feast of Faith)
December 26 – January 1 Kwanzaa – Learn about what Kwanzaa means for Black Americans
Become a Member
Sign up with the Washington Education Association and receive updates, reminders for upcoming events, and gain access to restricted members-only resources.
Join now