Developing Teachers, Schools and Academies (DTSA)’s Post

OSPI's Attendance and Reengagement Project utilized federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds to support student attendance, engagement, and reengagement. Tacoma Public Schools received an ESSER grant from OSPI to support the creation of attendance teams and contract with community partners to address the underlying reasons for absences. With one of their community partners, they launched the Embodied Leadership Program. The program works with middle school students to help them build confidence and a sense of purpose. "So, looking at attendance as an early warning indicator to figure out where the supports are needed and then looking holistically as a building or as a district, what are things that we need to put in place to help students feel that sense of belonging and community," Jimmy Gere, Attendance & Reengagement Specialist Tacoma Public Schools. Watch the full video on OSPI's YouTube channel: https://lnkd.in/g3CqEXBR Learn more about the Attendance and Reengagement's positive impact: https://lnkd.in/gyjA8kxp #WAedu

Wesleyan College today announced its intention to open a new charter school on its campus in Fall 2026, a move that would expand on the institution’s commitment to educational excellence and community development. Building on Wesleyan College’s legacy of providing an academically rigorous and innovative education, if approved, the Wesleyan Academy would serve students from kindergarten through grade 12. Designed to expose students to a higher education environment from an early age, the school will aim to prepare students for college and career success by offering an academic curriculum that fosters critical thinking, creativity and leadership as well as experiential education and dual enrollment opportunities. Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/gJvJmjr6 #WeAreWesleyan | #LeadersOfThePack 🐺💜

Yesterday, we held the final convening of the East Side Alliance Transformation Network, a four-year partnership of nine schools in San Jose, CA. The network focused on improvement in middle grades math for the first two years and whole-school transformation for the final two years. Partners is very proud to have supported collective action to improve on-track outcomes for students on the East Side. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll share highlights from the convening including opening remarks from Glenn VanderZee, superintendent of the East Side Union High School District; our honoring of Oak Grove School District Superintendent Jose L. Manzo, who is retiring at the end of the school year; and recognition of five individuals who’ve been awarded scholarships to support them as they earn their administrative services credential and become even stronger results-oriented change agents (ROCAs). In addition, we’ll share the reflections of the school teams that were the heroes of this four-year journey. Because Partners believes in the power of story-telling as a way for schools to capture their continuous-improvement work and spread successful practices, we invited each team to encapsulate their growth in five-minute Ignite presentations. For example, pictured below is the team from Davis Intermediate – Ginelyn Kudsi, Jose Acosta, and Rachel Pike – who reflected on several improvement efforts over the past four years, including a refinement of professional learning communities that has resulted in greater teacher engagement and agency, increased collaboration among teachers of different grades, and improved student-teacher relationships. The Davis team’s story is just one example; stay tuned for more! #education #equity #EducationEquity #K12Education #EducationalLeadership #EducationForAll #ProfessionalDevelopment #StorytellingForChange

I'm so appalled by the recent reporting going on about Hymba Yumba, an independent Indigenous school in Qld. I'm not saying that our Indigenous institutions shouldn't be held accountable to community, however, I don't believe that the statements or the perspectives of the school or school leadership have been fairly shared or given voice. I also don't believe that the reporting is representative of every families experience at the school. I know this, because my own niece and nephew attend the school. There are issues in education that disproportionately impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people - deep, systemic and historical. Where was the coverage of these issues by Living Black when we released NIYEC's School Exclusion Project report? Instead they choose to launch a series of articles about an Indigenous-led school with actual Indigenous school leadership, that has been achieving really incredible outcomes for their students. This has been recognised by a recent Queensland Education Award. In the couple of articles I have seen there is repeated mention to the level of funding the school receives. $9million to service 296 children from prep-12 - that's just over $30,000 per student. For my friends in school leadership, isn't this pretty standard when you consider that the school has an ICSEA value of 750, and close to 90% Indigenous student population? At the end of the day, I believe in Indigenous-led schooling and I hope and encourage everyone to think critically about how the narrative of these articles have been shaped. I have linked the statement from the school below. https://lnkd.in/ehrHT4Hf

Traditional schooling consumes 105,120 childhood hours through age 18— that's roughly 20% of their entire childhood or a full 1/3 of their waking hours. Education is one of the fundamental foundations on which the future of America has always depended for success, #innovation and self-reliance. #Education is the most valuable #investment in #America. #students #schools #leadership #government npfeducation.org

The early fall season is an intensive college application period for high school seniors. Our DCCs have found that creating the right environment can transform this potentially stressful time into one of community and support! Our DCCs often foster these supportive environments through “Senior-Shut In Days,” which allow students to work on their college applications together in a collaborative setting. Here are a few ways that DCCs make these environments particularly supportive for students: -At The Young Women’s Leadership School (TYWLS) of Queens, DCC Neonne Ameer hosted a pajama-themed “Senior Shut-In Day,” during which students worked on their applications to CUNY, SUNY, and private schools and also enjoyed plenty of relaxation!  -At Frederick Douglass Academy, a CollegeBound Initiative (CBI) partner school, DCC John Toribio-Perez ensured plenty of staff were present to assist with technical issues and application questions, including Associate Director of CBI Joseph Rosales. Seniors enjoyed a break from their usual class schedule, and the “shut-in” experience isn’t just about individual students applying to college – it’s about the whole school community supporting each other through a significant milestone! Learn more about how our college counselors make #collegeapplicationseason more welcoming for students: https://bit.ly/4g5gYrK #CollegeApps #CollegeApplications #CollegeCounselors #CollegeBound #EducationEquity #SeniorShutInDays #Classof2025

We, as representatives of Maryland APA had an opportunity to meet students, faculty, and partner alongside constituent organization representatives at The George Washington University PA Program. A huge THANK YOU for coordinating and hosting us all!! These types of engagements are often reflective for me, which serves as a meaningful learning experience I later integrate into my ‘being.’ Our messaging for student involvement included not only the traditional ‘why join?’ information, but perhaps more importantly, we encouraged students to BE BOLD. The reasons that led each of them (and us) into a PA school-career pathway are the same reasons that don’t simple end at graduation. Too often, we get stuck in the cycle of familiarity. It is far easier for humans to continue momentum rather than to stop and start on what seems like a new path, even if receiving warning signs along the way that we are headed into dangerous or treacherous territory. Cultivating a culture where it’s acceptable to “press pause” in order to effectively reevaluate a situation is not wasteful, it’s responsible, and we need all the help possible to join in. Choose to open the doors toward healing and resilience. It is a lifelong journey and getting involved in organizations that fundamentally support the profession and align with your values is worth the investment. Through them, the impact of our intentions are amplified through collective action. Whatever doesn’t join us allows doubt and isolation to create gaps. Diversity of representation potentiates that bridge toward unification, shared accountability, and mutual respect. Without discomfort and fear, we would not have the opportunity to be courageous and demonstrate acts of bravery. BE BOLD. It’s time to lead together. #InterculturalLeadership #PositivePsychology #Salutogenesis

I am incredibly proud to share the remarkable achievements of Compton Unified Esports League (CUEL) and Whaley Middle School! Their unwavering commitment to education, innovation, and community upliftment is truly commendable. Let’s dive into the inspiring details: 🎮 Scholastic Esports Excellence: Whaley Middle School, home of the Warriors, has been at the forefront of scholastic esports. Through their esports programs, they empower students to excel academically and socially. These programs are not just about gaming; they’re about building 21st-century skills that prepare students for college and career success. 🚀 By merging game-based learning with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), Whaley Middle School is shaping the future leaders of our community. 🌐 Bridging the Digital Divide: Whaley’s vision extends beyond the classroom walls. They are part of a broader initiative to provide modern, cutting-edge education to students across the entire district. Bridging the digital divide is their mission. By ensuring equitable access to technology and educational resources, they uplift not only students but also families and the entire community. 📺 KCAL News Spotlight: Did you catch the KCAL News Class Act morning show? It featured an amazing coverage of Whaley Middle School’s STEM programs. The spotlight showcased how Whaley is nurturing young minds, fostering creativity, and preparing them for a dynamic future. 🙌 Community Impact: Whaley Middle School’s leadership isn’t just about academics; it’s about transforming lives. They’re creating a ripple effect that reaches far beyond the school gates. 👏 Let’s applaud the educators, students, and families who make this possible! Together, we’re shaping a brighter tomorrow. 🌟 #ComptonUnified #EsportsLeadership #STEMEducation #CommunityImpact 🔗 Read more about Whaley Middle School1 🔗 Learn about CUEL’s mission2

Bring a message of hope; remove barriers along the way. Here is an inspiring article and video about Topeka's superintendent on the impact she has made in Topeka's schools in the past 8 years. https://lnkd.in/gUkvv4U3