December Newsletter from Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession

Monthly Newsletter

CSTP in partnership with WEA and OSPI hosted the first National Board Certificated Teachers Leadership Conference in over six years. These accomplished educators came together from across the state to work toward rejuvenating leadership through justice, joy and equitable practices.

CSTP Events at a Glance

1/11/24- 2/8/24: WERD Book Study - Culturally Responsive Education in the Classroom by Dr. Adeyemi Stembridge
2/28/24-3/28/24: WERD Book Study - Brilliant Teaching: Using Culture and Artful Thinking to Close Equity Gaps by Dr. Adeyemi Stembridge

CSTP News

We Are Hiring!

Join Our Team

CSTP is looking for an Events and Communications Coordinator to join our team.

The Events and Communications Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the logistics and coordination of 100+ meetings and events each year, and creating and releasing communications through email, social media and website. They will also assist the team in clock hour procedures and policy as well as other administrative tasks as needed.

Learn more about the position and how to apply at our website.

CSTP's 20th Anniversary Monthly Giveaway

In celebration of CSTP's 20th Anniversary, we are giving away two $20 gift cards each month until June 2024!

Read CSTP's monthly newsletter or follow our social media for the link to enter each month for a chance to win that month's gift card. Winners will be able to choose gift cards from popular retailers like Amazon, Starbucks, Disney, Target and many others.

Enter CSTP's December Giveaway

Register Now for the WERD Online Book Studies on Culturally Responsive Education in the Classroom and Brilliant Teaching: Using Culture and Artful Thinking to Close Equity Gaps by Dr. Adeyemi Stembridge

Culturally Responsive Education in the Classroom

You are invited to register for a free virtual book study on Culturally Responsive Education in the Classroom by Dr. Adeyemi Stembridge. We will be joined by the author at each weekly meeting, who will help facilitate learning and large-group discussions on this equity-based education book. In addition, participants will connect, discuss and reflect upon the book in small groups.

These free book studies are open to all Washington paraeducators, teachers, principals, administrators, and ESAs. Registration is free, and 7.5 equity clock hours will be available upon completion based on live attendance. Book Study registrants will purchase and read the book on their own and then attend the live sessions (recordings will not be available).

Meetings will take place weekly on Thursday afternoons from 4:30-6:00 PM. Below are the dates for each meeting:

Jan 11, 2024
Jan 18, 2024
Jan 25, 2024
Feb 1, 2024
Feb 8, 2024

Click Here to Learn More or Here to Register Now

Brilliant Teaching: Using Culture and Artful Thinking to Close Equity Gaps

You are invited to register for a free virtual book study on Brilliant Teaching: Using Culture and Artful Thinking to Close Equity Gaps by Dr. Adeyemi Stembridge. We will be joined by the author at each weekly meeting, who will help facilitate learning and large-group discussions on this equity-based education book. In addition, participants will connect, discuss and reflect upon the book in small groups.

These free book studies are open to all Washington paraeducators, teachers, principals, administrators, and ESAs. Registration is free, and 13.5 equity clock hours will be available upon completion based on live attendance. Book Study registrants will purchase and read the book on their own and then attend the live sessions (recordings will not be available).

Meetings will take place weekly on Thursday afternoons from 4:30-6:00 PM. Dates:

February 29
March 7
March 14
March 21
March 28

Click Here to Learn More or Here to Register Now

Are you a national board candidate looking for cohort support? CSTP is supporting online Washington national board candidates with a cohort held over Zoom with OSPI-trained National Board Facilitator Ranice Innocent. Candidates are encouraged to register early as our small cohorts fill up quickly and must register at least two weeks before the first meeting.

Component 1 starts March 7, 2024, with Ranice Innocent
(FULL) Component 2 starts October 26, 2023, with Ranice Innocent
(FULL) Component 3 starts December 5, 2023, with Ranice Innocent
(FULL) Component 4 starts November 9, 2023, with Ranice Innocent

Partner with CSTP to Offer Clock Hours at Your Next Training

Are you running a course, professional development or book study and want to offer Washington State clock hours? CSTP is an approved Washington State clock hour provider and can approve your courses for clock hours. It is free for the instructor to apply for the course with participants paying a nominal fee.

Learn More and Apply for Clock Hours

National Board Updates

National Board Score Release December 10 for Initial and MOC Candidates

NBPTS will release results for all 2022-2023 candidates, both initial and Maintenance of Certification (MOC), on Saturday,

December 9!

The National Board has some useful resources on the Score Release page for those waiting on their scores:

· Scoring Guide

· Interpreting Your Score Report Infographic

· Score Calculator to determine section averages and weighted scaled scores

Pro-tip: Make sure you remember and can login with your username and password the weekday prior to score release. NBCT customer service will be available from 10am to 3pm Central Time on Saturday, December 9th via phone, web form, or chat.

OSPI National Board Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Information Sessions

Are you a NBCT planning to maintain your National Board certification during the 2023-2024 school year or next year? You will want to sign-up for this free informational webinar hosted by OSPI National Board Regional Coordinators.

Participants will learn about the MOC process and understand the next steps in maintaining their certificate, gain valuable information about completing MOC and have space to ask pertinent questions related to the assessment. While these sessions are not a series, NBCTs are more than welcome to attend multiple dates.

Tuesday, January 16 at 4:30 PM
Tuesday, February 6 at 4:30 PM
Tuesday, April 3 at 4:30 PM

National Board Candidate Informational Sessions

Are you considering earning your national certification or working towards your renewal? National Board for Professional Teaching Standards offers free informational webinars including Introduction to National Board Certification, Preparing for Your National Board Journey, and Introduction to Maintenance of Certification.

Resources and News

Registration and Scholarships for Network for EdWork's 2024 Convening

the-convening_final_1-updated-500x350 image

The Network for EdWork is holding the 2024 Convening: Journey Towards Liberation for BIPOC educators and leaders in education and have now created a scholarship fund for those who have a hard time securing PD funds to attend The Convening.

The Convening is open to BIPOC educators, BIPOC leaders and white leaders in education and the scholarship request form is live.

Click Here for the Convening Website

Fill out the Convening Scholarship Request Form Here

-The deadline to submit the request form is January 31^st.

Lighter Side

Support CSTP

Your gift ensures that CSTP continues to support student achievement through a focus on teaching excellence. With you as a partner in CSTP’s mission, you directly make a difference in the lives of youth across Washington State schools. Donations are tax deductible and essential as CSTP works to support educators navigate unique models of student engagement and teacher leadership.

Donate to CSTP

Liking and sharing our posts on social media is another way you can support CSTP during these times. Thank you for sharing our message.

https://cstp-wa.org/ ● (253) 752-2082