Showing posts with label teachers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label teachers. Show all posts

Highland Terrace Elementary teacher awarded Fulbright Teacher Exchange award for Finland

Monday, August 19, 2024

Kitten Vaa, Elementary Teacher
Highland Terrace Elementary
Kitten Vaa, a Second Grade Teacher at Highland Terrace Elementary School, has received a Fulbright Teacher Exchange award to Finland for the 2024-2025 cycle from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

The Fulbright is the US Department of State’s most prestigious award. She will use this award to go to Finland to research sustainability and social emotional educational practices around climate change. 

Kitten is among over 800 U.S. citizens who will teach, study, and/or conduct research abroad for the 2024-2025 academic year through the Fulbright Program. 

She joins distinguished company. Notable Fulbright alumni include 62 Nobel Prize laureates, 89 Pulitzer Prize recipients, 78 MacArthur Fellows, and 41 who have served as a head of state or government.

Kitten Vaa has been an educator for over 20 years, with the past five years spent teaching second grade at Highland Terrace Elementary in Shoreline, Washington following her work at Edmonds School District and Brighton School. Teaching kids to be thinkers, problem solvers, and to love learning is her passion. 

She loves to teach science and literacy, and has recently focused her learning around climate change education. Kitten collaborates on science education at the district, state, and national levels. Recognized for her leadership, she received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in 2018 and the Golden Apple Award for Outstanding Educator in 2024. 

In July 2024, she was awarded the Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching Research for her project, "Empowering Hope and Action: Sustainability Education Tools for the Primary Classroom." 

This January, she will spend three months in Helsinki, Finland, to enhance her teaching of sustainability and climate change, aiming to create a comprehensive unit that inspires action and hope in students, which she plans to share at local and state levels.


Read more...

Echo Lake student inducted into the AAA School Safety Patrol Hall of Fame

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Philippa Bartsch from Echo Lake Elementary
Today, AAA Washington announced 10 new inductees to the AAA School Safety Patrol Hall of Fame.

AAA's Washington School Safety Patrol program actively seeks fourth through eighth graders to serve as volunteer crossing guards. 

Their role is crucial in ensuring the safety of their peers during their daily commute to and from school. 

Students can develop essential skills such as responsibility, leadership, and community service by participating in the program. 

In 2023, more than 22,000 students across 750 schools in Washington participated in the statewide program.

“These ten students embody what it means to be an outstanding school safety patroller and we are honored to recognize their dedication to keeping classmates and communities safe,” said Heather Snavely, CEO of AAA Washington. 
“AAA Washington’s School Safety Patrol Program is one small way to cultivate values like responsibility, hard work, and citizenship that will help shape our future leaders.”

We are excited to share that one student from Shoreline was inducted into the Hall of Fame - Philippa Bartsch from Echo Lake Elementary, Shoreline.

“Philippa actively models good patrol behavior by acting responsible and respectful while working her crossing post,” said advisor Mark Owen. 
“Philippa, simply put, really enjoys being a helper and working at a crossing post. When I asked her why she didn't want to apply to be a patrol captain she said, ‘I like helping the little kids get to school safely. Crossing guard is the best position to do that.’”

AAA Washington also awards a “School Safety Patrol Advisor of the Year” each year, recognizing advisors' contributions to Patrollers’ safety and education. This year’s recipient is Debby Smith from Moran Prairie Elementary in Spokane, Wash.

Mark Owen receives AAA
 School Safety Patrol Legend Award
AAA Washington is also proud to recognize advisor Mark Owen from Echo Lake Elementary in Shoreline, with the AAA School Safety Patrol Legend Award.

“The AAA School Safety Patrol Legend Award is a celebration of those who have made an indelible mark on the AAA School Safety Patrol program within their community,” said Erin Rogers, community relations program manager at AAA Washington. 

“After 30 years of service as a School Safety Patrol Advisor, Mark is retiring, and we are beyond proud of the work he has put into making his school a safer place. For three decades, he has shown the Safety Patrollers what it means to be an exemplary leader.”


Read more...

Kellogg teacher wants your votes in cruise line contest

Friday, June 7, 2024

Kellogg teacher Diana Cruz is entered in a national contest of teachers, sponsored by Norwegian cruise lines.



 

Read more...

Kimberly Rudolph, Kindergarten teacher at Lake Forest Park Elementary School earns National Board certification

Friday, January 12, 2024

Kimberly Rudolph, National Board Certified Teacher
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools
Kimberly Rudolph, Kindergarten Teacher at Lake Forest Park Elementary School, who recently earned her National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) certification.

Kimberly joins the ranks of 90 Shoreline School District educators who've earned and maintained this certification. See the list here

National Board Certification is a voluntary, advanced professional certification for PreK-12 educators that identifies teaching expertise through a performance-based, peer-reviewed assessment. 

Through National Board Certification, teachers demonstrate that their teaching meets the profession’s standards for accomplished practice through a rigorous, peer-reviewed and performance-based process, similar to professional certification in fields such as medicine. 

In achieving Board certification, teachers prove their ability to advance student learning and achievement.


Read more...

Sno-King School Retirees award mini-grants to educators in Shoreline Schools

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Each fall the Sno-King School Retirees, an organization of active and retired employees of the Edmonds, Northshore, and Shoreline School Districts, offers educator grants to our active members. 

Since 1998, SKSR has awarded over $120,000 in mini-grants.

SKSR is pleased to announce that seven Shoreline employees and one school volunteer are 2023-24 mini-grant recipients.

Briarcrest Elementary
  • Jafeet Corral: A classroom subscription for IXL math. (2nd grade)
  • Michelle Holguin: High-quality headphones for her class to use during reading rotations. (3rd grade)
  • Emma LeBlanc: High-quality headphones for her class to use, especially for literacy programs. (1st grade)
  • Amy Pitts: A classroom subscription for IXL math. (2nd grade)
  • Janet Shin: High-interest books and tactile materials for her reset station. (K-5th grades)
  • Wendy Yamamoto: Alphabet magnets and magnetic boards to use with the phonics program. (Kindergarten)
Brookside Elementary
  • Mary Telstad: Art supplies for watercolor workshops. (4th/5th grades)
Syre Elementary
  • Julie Anneberg: Lap desks to offer alternative seating options in order to meet different learning style needs. (3rd grade)
SKSR is glad to be able to assist these educators and their students in this small way.


Read more...

Teacher and Certificated Staff Appreciation Week in Shoreline Schools

Monday, May 8, 2023

Karen Nicholson, 3rd grade teacher, Echo Lake Elementary
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

We are celebrating Teacher and Certificated Staff Appreciation Week in Shoreline Schools. Please join us in thanking them for all that they do for our students!

"I once said my dream job would be teaching at Echo Lake Elementary. 
Now, after more than two decades of teaching here, I would still say it. Even with the challenges of the past several years, I look forward to seeing my students and working to give them a love of learning, an enthusiasm for school and a confidence in their own abilities. 
Seeing them all grow through the years is an honor and joy. 
Our staff and community are amazing!" 
- Karen Nicholson, 3rd Grade Teacher, Echo Lake Elementary School

Read more...

Lake Forest Park Elementary School Principal Aimee Miner named Shoreline Schools Administrator of the Year

Thursday, May 4, 2023

Aimee Miner (right) with Supt. Susana Reyes
The Shoreline School District has named award winners for 2023 Staff of the Year. 

Principal Miner and the ten other winners will be honored at a reception on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at Kellogg Middle School Commons 16045 25th Ave. NE from 5:30-7:00pm. The public is invited.

Jordan Davidson and Joann Fukuma
Contribution from the Shoreline Public Schools Foundation allows the district to continue this beloved Shoreline School District celebration.

All award winners will receive a $50 grant for the Shoreline school of their choice, courtesy of the Foundation.

After 150 nominations were received and reviewed, these award winners will be celebrated at this year's ceremony:
  • Administrator of the Year, Aimee Miner, Lake Forest Park Elementary School Principal
  • Office Staff of the Year, Jordan Davidson, Shorewood High School Main Office Secretary
  • Secondary Educator of the Year, Joann Fukuma, Shorewood High School Athletic Director
  • Elementary Educator of the Year, Laurie Pearson, Lake Forest Park Elementary Kindergarten Teacher
  • Early Learning Educator of the Year, Stephanie Gregorich, Edwin Pratt Early Learning Coordinator
  • Support Staff of the Year, Jill Steinberg, Highland Terrace Elementary School Family Advocate
  • Educational Specialist of the Year, Jennifer Broadstone, Physical Therapist
  • Paraeducator of the Year, Sari Wall, Echo Lake Elementary School
  • Volunteers of the Year, Kaija Dalan and Erin McDermott
  • Community Partner of the Year, Laurie Field, Shoreline Library Children’s Librarian
Kaija Dalan
Each of the award winners was surprised recently by a visit from Superintendent Susana Reyes, announcing their prestigious honors.

In the Shoreline School District, we believe that celebrations, demonstrations of gratitude, and opportunities to come together as a community are important elements of maintaining a positive and welcoming culture for staff, students, families, and the communities of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. 

Laurie Pearson
Members of our community look forward to these events and were grateful to see them return in recent years.

Despite the budget challenges and reductions in front of us, we welcome the opportunity to lift up these dedicated, deserving members of our school district community and honor their contributions to our students and schools.

Photos courtesy Shoreline Schools. All winners can be seen on Shoreline Schools Facebook page


Read more...

Sno-King School Retirees donates $500 to The Works

Saturday, February 4, 2023

L-R: Andrea Petrusky (Co-Chair The Works), Alison Buss (Co-Chair The Works), Bonnie Stieber, and Cathy Webb (SKSR Vice-President). Photo courtesy The Works
For the third year in a row, the Sno-King School Retirees association donated $500 to The Works, the Shoreline PTA Council clothing room.

The Association has donated annually to three organizations, located in the three school districts where their members taught.

Besides The Works, they also donate $500 to the Northshore Foundation for their Homeless Student Services and to the Washington Kids in Transition which serves the Edmonds School District.

All three organizations benefit the children in each school district.

Washington Kids in Transition benefits homeless students.

The SnoKing School Retirees also do a service project. "When we started out we helped to buy snack items for Washington Kids that they received on their school bus when being delivered to the place they were staying," said Board Member Jim Siscel. 
"Then we did a service project on a Saturday stuffing the snack bags. This snack bag project is not happening now after Covid. So this year the money will be used to purchase summer time art supplies. We will put the supplies together on a Saturday in April."

The $500 comes from their membership dues, donations at meetings and individual members.


Correction: names in photo caption were in the wrong order

Read more...

Shoreline Community College and Faculty Union settle contract dispute dating to 2017

Saturday, December 10, 2022

Shoreline Community College
Aerial photography by Jared Solano - Instagram @Juarez.Solano

Statement from Shoreline Community College

Shoreline Community College (Shoreline) and our American Federation of Teachers (AFT) faculty union have recently come to a settlement agreement that will provide a lump sum payment to Shoreline faculty members, as specified by AFT, bringing closure to a contract dispute dating back to 2017.

By design, the faculty union is organized to advocate for better wages, benefits, and working conditions for faculty members. This means that the college and the AFT will occasionally be at odds with each other despite our shared goal of providing Shoreline students with the best educational experience possible. 

Shoreline values its faculty and is committed to a partnership with AFT to ensure faculty members are fairly and appropriately compensated for their work. While the college is steadfast that it properly interpreted and applied the 2017-2019 Collective Bargaining Agreement, AFT has been equally steadfast in maintaining that the college’s calculations were not done as intended. The parties worked cooperatively to obtain a compromise solution to this dispute to settle the matter and move forward together. 

At Shoreline, we believe in a spirit of intellectual honesty, free speech, and fostering an environment where our faculty, staff and students are welcome to disagree and challenge each other. We are pleased to have resolved this matter and look forward to the continued partnership with our faculty and AFT into the future.



Read more...

LFP Elementary teachers awarded enrichment grants from Sno-King School Retirees

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

LFP staff with Jim Siscel, who presented the awards on behalf of SKSR
Photo courtesy LFP Elementary

Congrats to the Lake Forest Park Elementary staff who received enrichment grants to use with their students from the Sno-King unit of the Washington State School Retirees’ Association (SKSR). The presentation was made by retired Echo Lake Elementary teacher, Jim Siscel.

Pictured, from left: 
  • Kimberly Clasen
  • Britt Harris
  • Frank Kleyn
  • Riley Kreutzer
  • April Johnston
  • Rhonda Okazaki
  • Tami Thompson
  • Jim Siscel

Lake Forest Park Elementary is part of the Shoreline School District, located along Ballinger Way in Lake Forest Park. It was one of seven schools whose teachers applied for and received grants.




Read more...

SKSR Awards Grants to Shoreline Educators

Monday, December 5, 2022


Each fall Sno-King School Retirees, an organization composed of retired and active employees of the Edmonds, Northshore, and Shoreline School Districts, offers grants of up to $300 to its active members for special projects that enrich their students’ educational experience (e.g., field trips, guest speakers, materials for integrated units of study) or for materials/equipment to augment their students’ learning (e.g., noise-cancelling headphones). 

Since the grant program's inception in 1998, SKSR has awarded over $115,000 to its active members in these districts.

This year’s SKSR funded 36 grants; twenty-four of the grants were awarded to educators in the Shoreline School District.

Briarcrest Elementary
  • Cindy Ebisu: Balance scales and metric weights for a math measurement unit. (3rd grade)
  • Michelle Holguin and Amy Pitts: Classroom licenses for IXL, an online math program. (3rd and 2nd grades)
  • Carrie Wandler: Sports and hobby books for the library’s outdated arts and recreation section. (Librarian)
Brookside Elementary
  • Carrie Misener: A collection of graphic novels to encourage all readers, especially reluctant and struggling ones. (3rd grade)
Cascade K-8
  • Sheryl Yost: Multicultural books for her classroom library. (K/1st grade)
Echo Lake Elementary
  • Jean Bolivar: Read aloud books that spark student conversations about race, identity, social justice. (Librarian)
  • Kelly Dillon: Painting supplies to create kindness rocks for the school’s Kindness Week. (2nd grade)
  • Allison Hoover: Orange traffic cones to create safe spaces and a wagon tote to transport P.E. equipment. (P.E. Specialist)
Lake Forest Park Elementary
  • Kimberly Clasen, Riley Kreutzer, and Tami Thompson: Transportation for a science field trip to the Brightwater Sewage Treatment Plant. (5th grade)
  • Britt Harris: Tickets and transportation for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders to the Shorecrest Drama Production of The Lightning Thief. (Office Manager)
  • April Johnston: A Rick Hartman workshop that applies a variety of science principles to building wooden toys. (2nd grade)
  • Frank Kleyn: Read-aloud picture books for beginning readers to teach self-awareness and self-management skills. (Librarian)
  • Rhonda Okazaki: High interest graphic books related to science topics. (4th grade)
Parkwood Elementary
  • Renee Iverson: Transportation for a field trip to St. Edwards Park to apply physics, magnetic, and engineering principles from science to playground design. (3rd grade)
  • Kristin Mesler: Three boxes of Pacific NW Native American artifacts from the Burke Museum and complementary books. (3rd grade)
Syre Elementary
  • Heidi Alexander: Sensory items like stress balls and fidget blocks to help students de-stress and refocus. (Dean of Students)
  • Julie Anneberg: 10 portable lap/floor student desks to provide alternative seating options to meet a wider range of learning styles. (3rd grade)
  • Michelle Carroll: Books that highlight diverse cultural celebrations. (Principal)
  • Chrisy Francescutti: Books that focus on Native American, Jewish American, and Muslim cultures. (Librarian)
  • Jenny Hodgen: Yoga ball chairs, stools, cushions, and lap desks to provide flexible seating. (5th grade)
  • Marybeth Scherf: Whiteboards, whiteboard markers, and 4 sets of phonics-based decodable readers for older students. (3rd/4th grade)


Read more...

Retired Shoreline teachers explore micro-brewery owned by Shoreline natives in Puerto Vallarta

Sunday, October 9, 2022

By Arnie Moreno

In the Zona Romantica of Puerto Vallarta is a local micro-brewery that makes and markets Seattle style beers. Located on a cobblestone street in Old Town Puerto Vallarta, is Monzon Brewing Company.

In January of 2021, Rebecca and I, two retired Shoreline teachers, decided to take a break from Winter’s dark rainy days in the Pacific Northwest. We found a AirBnB rental home that was located in the Zone Romantica that was walking distance to the Zona shops, Malecon, restaurants, open air markets, taco stands and beaches. 

We were surrounded by local Mexican neighbors and luxury condos. It was a dream come true to spend the whole month soaking up the sun, golf, tennis and Mexican art and culture.

We scheduled a walking tour of Old Town Zona Romantica with a local guide, which I highly recommend if you are new to PV. 

At the end of our tour, our guide told us that here was a new brewery making Seattle style IPA’s in the Zona and asked us if we wanted go to the brewery, since he knew we were from the Seattle area.

Of course, we were very thirsty since it was 80 degrees that day in PV, so our small tour group went to Monzon Brewery. We found the brewery after a short two block walk, and went to the top patio for a beverage.

Reid and Miranda Mortimer
Photo courtesy TripAdvisor.com

We found a table and before sitting down I heard “Mr. Moreno!“. To my surprise it was a former Shorewood student of mine, Reid Mortimer. As a retired teacher, I encounter former students frequently.

I never expected to meet one in Puerto Vallarta. 

He told me that he was the owner and brewer for Monzon Brewery. Reid grew up in Shoreline and told me his story of meeting his wife, Miranda, also a Shoreline native, and their travels to Bombay, India, and working at a brewery, Mumbai’s first brewery, and learning the microbrew craft. 

Needless to say, the beer was delicious and so fun seeing my old student Reid in Puerto Vallarta. 

Rebecca and I are returning to Puerto Vallarta again this January and February and look forward to visiting Reid and Miranda at Monzon Brewery again! 

If you are in Puerto Vallarta, be sure to visit the Zone Romantica and stop by to taste great IPA’s, Pilsners and say hi to Reid and Miranda Mortimer at Monzon Brewing



Read more...

Alpha Delta professional organization inducts new members

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Caroline Mann and Susana Reyes inducted into Alpha Delta Kappa
professional organization empowering women educators
Alpha Delta Kappa (A∆K) is a professional organization created to empower women educators. It was founded in Kansas City, Missouri by women who thought women educators were receiving little recognition and had few administrative opportunities. 

One of our chapter members, Geralyn Shreve, who worked for NASA, told her principal that she would like to become a principal. He patted her on the head (!) and asked her why she would want to do that. Times have changed, but the need for an organization to aid women educators has not diminished. A∆K offers enrichment, both personally and professionally.

In more recent times, A∆K has also turned its energy toward altruistic opportunities. Alpha Delta is an A∆K chapter and supports schools in Shoreline, Edmonds and Mukilteo districts with school supplies, money for scholarships and student fees, as well as donations to charitable agencies such as Mary’s Place, Hang Time (YMCA), and Children’s Hospital. 

This past school year Alpha Delta inducted two new members, Caroline Mann and Susana Reyes, as exemplary women educators. 

Caroline Mann became a member of Alpha Delta in 2021. Caroline graduated from the University of Washington in 1997 with a BS in microbiology, and earned her Masters in Teaching from Seattle U in 2001. She has been a National Board certified teacher since 2005. Beginning her teaching career at Kellogg Middle School in 2001, she moved to Einstein Middle School in 2003 as a science teacher. She transferred to Shorewood High School in 2006, and has been teaching there ever since. Bonus information for teachers: Caroline read over 100 books in 2021! 

Susana Reyes also became a member of Alpha Delta, in 2022. Susana is the Superintendent of Shoreline Schools, and brings a wealth of educational experience to Alpha Delta. She worked initially for Wapato schools as a bilingual teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal, then moved to Pullman Schools to serve as Assistant Superintendent. She has also served as Assistant Superintendent in the Mead and Pasco School Districts. 

Susana Reyes says, “I am honored to be a member of A∆K. I appreciate and am so grateful for the way in which A∆K recognizes the contributions of educators as well as how the organization supports our communities’ students and schools. 
"Thank you for the nomination and for the opportunity to become a member of A∆K. I look forward to engaging and contributing to the organization’s work.”

Pat Valle is Alpha Delta’s chapter president and co-chair of A∆K’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. 
“As a teachers’ organization, Alpha Delta is more than the title “sorority” might suggest. It is an altruistic organization of exemplary teachers from Shoreline, Edmonds, and Mukilteo school districts, whose aim is to nurture relationships, create networking opportunities and support diversity, equity and inclusion.” 

Interested in more information? You may reach Pat at alphadeltaadk@gmail.com

--Mary Jo Heller



Read more...

Jobs: Shoreline School District Substitutes for 2022-23 school year

Thursday, August 11, 2022

Shoreline School District Substitutes
Multiple positions

We are looking forward to a great year and are excitedly preparing for the arrival of all our students in just a few short weeks!

One of our goals this year is to have ready and available substitute employees to make sure our schools run smoothly every day. If you have ever considered volunteering or pitching in at a school, here is an opportunity to help out AND get paid for it!

Last year there was a big need for substitute paraeducators, office staff, food service staff, and bus drivers in particular, and unfortunately we came up short getting these filled. These vacancies can disrupt our learning environment, so we are inviting you to either inquire about these opportunities or help us spread the word.

As a substitute, you can choose what days you work and make a big contribution to our school district community. If you want to consider this, it would be greatly appreciated. 

You can see available substitute positions, required qualifications, and application details within our FastTrack employment system. Look for the job listings "Certificated Substitute" and "Classified Substitute" to get started. 

If you are interested in bus driver, custodian, or food service substitute positions, they have their own listings within FastTrack to apply.

Job descriptions and application here



Read more...

You are invited to the Shoreline Schools Retirement Celebration on Thursday

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

You are invited to the Shoreline Schools Retirement Celebration on Thursday, June 9, 2022 from 5:30-7:30pm in the Shoreline Room of the Shoreline Center, 18560 1st Ave NE.

We hope you’ll join us to celebrate and thank the retirees attending this year's celebration!

2022 Retirement Reception Honorees:
  • Jennifer Altena, Syre Elementary
  • Linda Bow, Shorecrest High School
  • Karen Bradley, Syre Elementary
  • Stephen Growden, Shorecrest High School
  • David Guthrie, Einstein Middle School
  • Betty Humphreys, Business Services
  • Linda Jepsen, Einstein Middle School
  • Hadj Maaradji, Transportation
  • Marla Miller, Superintendent's Office
  • Sharon Moser, Shorecrest High School
  • Elizabeth Nunes, Ridgecrest Elementary
  • Tam Osborne, Human Resources
  • Bob Phillips, Elementary Music
  • Amy Pleasant, Syre Elementary
  • Elaine Swanson, Shorewood High School
  • Shirley Van Beek, Syre Elementary
Beverages and desserts will be served, with the option to socialize in the courtyard outside of the Shoreline Room, weather permitting, before the recognition program begins at approximately 6:00pm.



Read more...

Shoreline Schools: BIPOC Online Job Fair for Teachers and Certificated Staff

Monday, March 21, 2022


Equity and inclusion make our Shoreline school community stronger! If you're interested in joining us as a teacher or other certificated staff member, please register to attend our online job fair.

Saturday, March 26
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Register via FastTrack
(Click to view current job openings / BIPOC Job Fair Registration 2022)

The day's virtual events include:
  • Welcome remarks from Superintendent Susana Reyes
  • Introduction to our Equity and Family Engagement Department
  • Panel discussion with Equity and Instruction leaders, students, and family representatives
  • A review of our ethnic studies resolution, staff affinity groups, and student advisory groups
Following the event, attendees will receive registration information for upcoming screening interviews and our Human Resources Department application workshops.

We are proud to serve and support over 9,000 students, 48 percent of whom are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color). We encourage culturally and linguistically diverse applicants to attend.

Questions? Contact us at job.fair@shorelineschools.org



Read more...

SKSR awards grants to local educators

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Each fall Sno-King School Retirees, an organization composed of retired and active employees of the Edmonds, Northshore, and Shoreline School Districts, offers grants of up to $300 to its active members for special projects that enrich their students’ educational experience (e.g., field trips, guest speakers, materials for integrated units of study) or for materials/equipment to augment their students’ learning (e.g., noise-cancelling headphones). 

Since the grant program was started in 1998, SKSR has awarded over $104,000 to its active members in these districts.

Because of continuing social distancing restrictions, this year’s applications could not be for field trips or in-person presentations.

This year’s SKSR funded a total of $6,392 to the following grants:

EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT

Cedar Way Elementary
  • Michelle McShane: Materials which will allow kindergarteners to practice fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination as well as social skills while working on math objectives. (kindergarten)
  • Kristi Pihl: Animal non-fiction books to engage struggling readers, enrich their science curriculum, and serve as non-fiction writing models. (1st grade)
Edmonds Heights K-12
  • Erin Zackey: Materials for “Art in Science” which combines science, writing, and art for students in first to sixth grade. (science, art, writing)
Hilltop Elementary
  • Sarah Allsop-Fine: Three sets of recommended high interest/low reading level fiction and non-fiction titles to develop an interest in reading. (5th grade)
  • Matt Grover: Multiple copies of three historical fiction titles written at different reading levels for Historical Fiction Clubs. (4th grade)
Lynndale Elementary
  • Catherine Feller: A bass and humidifiers for fifth and sixth grade students. (music)
  • Clarence Korf: Thirty-seven dyslexic-friendly books that will provide a wider range of reading material for students struggling with literacy acquisition. (library)
NORTHSHORE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Canyon Creek Elementary
  • Annie Hall: Materials for a classroom Makerspace with the goals of strengthening problem solving and critical thinking skills as well as building persistence and enhancing collaborative work. (4th grade)
SHORELINE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Briarcrest Elementary
  • Cindy Ebisu: A class set of good quality headphones for use in a variety of classroom activities, especially literacy. (3rd grade)
  • Amy Pitts: A license for class access to IXL, a math program. (2nd grade)
Brookside Elementary
  • Sarita Benson: Two zoom presentations by author Will Taylor: one on the elements of story writing and another on the writing process. (4th grade)
Echo Lake Elementary
  • Jean Bolivar: Copies of books nominated for WA Library Awards to increase the school’s participation in choosing the winners. (library)
  • Shari Bronsther: Books to stock the school’s book vending machine in support of the schools PBIS system. (4th grade)
  • Kathryn Pihl: Books for beginning word readers. (1st grade)
  • Joe Wack: Books that feature characters that reflect the diversity in his classroom. (2nd grade)
Parkwood Elementary
  • Bethany Ibach: Materials to create Math Toolkits which support practicing math through games and activities. (1st grade)
Ridgecrest Elementary
  • Joanna Freeman: To expand the school library’s collection of books that encourage and support primary readers reading on their own. (library)
  • Monica Holdridge: Chapter books to use with reading intervention groups. (Title/LAP)
Syre Elementary
  • Jennifer Altena: Library books which offer independent reader choice for K-5 students. (library)
  • Katie Dawdy: Non-fiction to use as models in the Being a Writer curriculum. (3rd grade)
  • Amy Pleasant: Biographies highlighting the accomplishments of women and people of color. (3rd grade)
  • Marybeth Scherf: Biographies highlighting the accomplishments of women and people of color. (3rd grade)
Because of COVID-19 constraints, SKSR is not able to recognize these educators at in-person staff meetings; however, some of the schools are graciously inviting SKSR into their zoom meetings.

SKSR is proud to recognize the efforts of its active colleagues by providing these additional resources.

--Karen McElliott



Read more...

Sno-King School Retirees donate to Shoreline PTA Council clothing room THE WORKS

Sunday, December 5, 2021

SKSR Board member Jim Siscel presents the check to The WORKS Chair Jill Steinberg

Sno-King School Retirees (SKSR), representing active and retired teachers in Shoreline School District, Edmonds, and Northshore School Districts, donated $500 to The WORKS clothing room sponsored by the Shoreline PTA Council.  

The WORKS clothing room provides high quality, clean, gently used children's and teen clothing to Shoreline School District families. The donation will allow the purchase of needed clothing items.



Read more...

Shoreline School District and Shoreline Education Association reach contract agreement

Monday, October 11, 2021

Shoreline Center from Google

The Shoreline School District has reached an agreement on a three-year contract with the Shoreline Education Association (SEA), which represents teachers and non-supervisory certificated staff. The contract was ratified by SEA members on October 6, 2021 and is pending approval by the Shoreline School Board at their October 19 meeting.

It would cover the 2021-2022, 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years. 

Highlights of the agreement include:
  • Salary increases of 1% plus cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in the first year, 0% plus COLA in year 2, and 2% plus COLA in year 3
  • Deans at each school
  • Commitments to anti-racism and equity
  • Mentor program for staff of color
  • Support for implementation of culturally responsive teaching and Ethnic Studies curriculum
  • Incorporating the Shoreline Race and Equity Impact Decision-Making Tool into site-based decision-making
  • Designating Juneteenth as a non-student day in years it falls on a school day 
“I am incredibly grateful to our district and SEA bargaining teams for their work and collaboration over many months and hundreds of hours in coming to agreement on a contract that centers and supports the needs of our staff, students and families,” said Superintendent Dr. Susana Reyes. 
“Their intentional and thoughtful focus on incorporating our district-wide work in the areas of anti-racism and equity will continue to propel this work forward in meaningful and authentic ways.”


Read more...

Einstein teacher selected as national finalist for Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching

Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Einstein teacher Colleen LaMotte
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools
Einstein Middle School Science Teacher Colleen LaMotte is one of just six Washington teachers to be selected as national finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST). 

First established by Congress is 1983, the program recognizes exemplary teaching in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields in K–12 classrooms. 

The PAEMST is the nation’s highest honor for K-12 STEM teachers, recognizing those who have both deep content knowledge of the subjects they teach and the ability to motivate and enable students to be successful in those areas.

Her nomination and finalist selection process began when a colleague nominated her for the prestigious award. 

The nomination was then approved by the PAEMST team at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and LaMotte was invited to complete the lengthy and in-depth application process. This included recordings of her teaching and written narratives and supplemental materials highlighting her mastery of effective teaching.

“When I opened my email and saw the notification that I was selected as a finalist, I was stunned honestly,” said LaMotte. 
“I am so incredibly honored by my nomination, colleagues and families willing to write on my behalf, and the overwhelming support of my colleagues… 
"I firmly believe that I’ve been able to reach this level because of all those who’ve supported me taking risks, attending professional development offerings, sharing my thinking, questioning me, and being there to encourage me when my pedagogical risks didn’t turn out as planned.”

LaMotte extends that same level of support to her students. 

“I love listening to students talk and lead their own learning, and being witness to the rich and complex thinking students possess,” said LaMotte 
“I get great joy when students grow in their ability to take academic risks that push their thinking forward… I am honored to watch as students gain confidence and internalize the truth that science belongs to all of us.”

Now that she’s been selected as a finalist, LaMotte will wait to see if she’s been selected as an award recipient by President Joe Biden. This typically happens within a year of the finalists being announced.

Recipients of the PAEMST will receive:
  • A citation signed by the President of the United States.
  • A paid trip for two to Washington, D.C., to attend a weeklong series of recognition events and professional development opportunities.
  • Gifts from program sponsors.
  • A $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.


Read more...
ShorelineAreaNews.com
Facebook: Shoreline Area News
Twitter: @ShorelineArea
Daily Email edition (don't forget to respond to the Follow.it email)

  © Blogger template The Professional Template II by Ourblogtemplates.com 2009

Back to TOP