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PESB sends out monthly email newsletters and announcements, to which you can subscribe at the bottom of the page.

PESB News of Note February 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Alexandra Manuel, Executive Director, Alexandra.Manuel@PESB.wa.gov
Olympia, Washington – February 2, 2018

Professional Educator Standards Board Names Alexandra Manuel Executive Director

The Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) is excited to announce the appointment of Alexandra Manuel as its new Executive Director.  The PESB concluded a rigorous, deliberative search of candidates that culminated with the selection of Director Manuel in a Special Meeting of the Board on Friday, February 2.

The members of the board expressed enthusiastic support of the leadership of Ms. Manuel through a unanimous vote of approval. “The Board is eagerly looking forward to the progressive, collaborative approach to leading that Alex employs,” stated Chairman Luke Thomas. “This decision is a reflection of her impressive skill set and the confidence that PESB members have in her ability to guide the entire agency to fulfill its charge in a manner that effectively empowers educators in Washington State to meet the needs of every student.”

Prior to her appointment, Alexandra served in a myriad of roles that have positively impacted student learning. Alexandra’s experience as a strategic leader has focused on education policy that expands access to educator preparation and advances equity to support student success. Alexandra brings her skills in community engagement, systems integration, and change management from her employment and consulting experience in both private and public organizations including Highline College, Seattle University, City of Auburn, the YMCA, City of Seattle, and University of Washington. Alexandra earned her B.A. degree at George Mason University in Organizational Development and Social Change and her Masters in Education from Seattle University.

Alexandra looks forward to bringing her passion and experience to the PESB. About her recent appointment, Alexandra stated, “I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the Professional Educator Standards Board and the Paraeducator Board in its strategic efforts to support the success of all students in Washington schools. To ensure this we must lead in preparing, engaging and retaining our educators.  I look forward to advancing PESB’s policy and workforce development roles in continued collaboration with the education community in Washington.”

The Paraeducator Board is pleased to announce an additional opportunity to apply for the Pipeline for Paraeducator Conditional Loan Scholarship!

The next deadline is just a month away, on March 6th, but if you are unable to apply by this date we have created an additional review date, May 8th. Please be sure to pass this message along to all interested paraeducators.

Details of the program follow:

This program can provide funding for paraeducators interested in earning their residency teaching certificate, who have a minimum of three years classroom experience and no college degree, with up to $4,000 towards earning their Associate of Arts (AA) degree from a Washington community or technical college. Those awarded will be required to complete their AA within two years of award date, making them eligible to enroll in an Alternative Route 1 program to earn certification, and teach for a minimum of two years.

More information on the requirements and responsibilities of candidates are now available: https://www.pesb.wa.gov/paraeducator-board/paraeducator-board-grant-programs/pipeline-for-paraeducators-conditional-loan-scholarship/

We look forward to your application!

The Paraeducator Board sends out monthly email newsletters and announcements, which you can subscribe to at the bottom of the page. These are the newsletters sent out January 2018.

Paraeducator Board

January 2018 Newsletter

The Paraeducator Board sends out monthly email newsletters and announcements, which you can subscribe to at the bottom of the page.

Paraeducator Board

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAOSPI/bulletins/1d54969

Educator Pathways and Workforce Development sends out monthly email newsletters and announcements, which you can subscribe to at the bottom of the page. These are the newsletters sent out January 2018.

Educator Pathways and Workforce Development

Educator Pathways and Workforce Development January 2018 Newsletter

The PESB continues to be supportive of Washington State’s DACA recipients and undocumented youth, many of whom are educators. We acknowledge and are proud of the courage displayed by our educators and school communities in the face of anxiety and uncertainty, and have called on Congress to swiftly pass a clean Dream Act.

On behalf of our educators and students they serve, the PESB has called on Congress to immediately pass a clean Dream Act. We have also urged that passing the DREAM act include a pathway to citizenship and that it be authorized without any compromises regarding border security, enforcement, and additional ICE appropriations. Our communities deserve the certainty and permanent protections the Dream Act provides.

Since the DACA program was implemented in 2012, more than 800,000 people nationwide have applied for and received DACA status. This number includes thousands of educators in our K-12 system nationally. At the same time, Washington State is facing a severe teaching shortage. We also see the number of English Language Learners (ELL) students growing rapidly, and the research demonstrating the powerful impact that teachers who look like and reflect their students is undeniable.

Many bright, talented, and bilingual educators in our state are DACA recipients who will lose their ability to work and serve our students in the coming months. Stripping away great educators only hurts our education system, our students and families, and our economy. The PESB takes an active stance in support of protecting our Dreamers. We will continue to advocate for urgent action at the national level, and acknowledge that current uncertainty as well as future changes will have an impact locally.

We encourage educators and school communities to connect with local immigrant rights and civil rights agencies for further guidance on this issue and others related to immigration rights. Any legal advice should be provided only by a qualified attorney.

In the meantime, PESB continues to explore ways that we can contribute and provide support. We are grateful and proud of our educators who support and display courage every day for their students and families. We will stand with our communities to ensure there is a path forward for Dreamers and undocumented youth in the U.S. and Washington State.