Proud, And Still Inspired
Our annual celebration last week made me so proud. What a wonderful chance to honor the work our activists, organizers and building reps do day-in, day-out for our students and for our profession.
Whatever my role in PAT -- building rep, chair of the Advocacy Committee, Vice-President, and now President -- I've always believed my main job is to bring people together.
Continue readingOregon Rising
As part of our 2013 bargain, PAT developed a vision for the Schools Our Students Deserve. Now, through our state affiliate, Oregon Education Association, we're developing a vision of great public education for the whole state.
Last month OEA launched Oregon Rising together with the Confederation of Oregon School Administrators (COSA) and Oregon School Boards Association. As educators, you need to take the survey and make your voice heard, but we also encourage you to organize a discussion with parents, students and community members in your building. Find out more here.
PAT Awards
Service: Al Rabchuk
Outdoor School for All
Because of dwindling budgets, less than half of Oregon students get to experience outdoor education. PAT has endorsed an effort to try and change that.
Outdoor School for All wants to put a ballot measure before voters this November that would give every Oregon fifth or sixth grader a hands-on week of science-based outdoor education. This initiative would create permanent, stable funding for Outdoor School.
Continue reading
Public Forum: Governor's Council on Educator Advancement, June 7th
Earlier this year, Governor Brown created the Council on Educator Advancement. The Council will make recommendations on how to "deliver relevant, high-quality, and culturally competent professional development for Oregon's educators."
On June 7th, the Council will be taking public comments at the Marshall Campus of Franklin High School. Please attend and offer your input into what real support for professional educators looks like. You can find out more about the Council here, and download a flyer for the June 7th event here.
Tuesday, June 7th
5:30-7:00 p.m.
Franklin High School @Marshall Campus Auditorium
3905 SE 91st Ave.
Portland, OR 97266
Teaching with Purpose Hip Hop Education Summit, June 16th
The PAT Executive Board has agreed to sponsor registration for up to 10 members at the Teaching with Purpose Hip Hop Education Summit on June 16th at Harriet Tubman Middle School. These slots are first-come, first-serve, but any educator can attend and use their professional improvement fund to pay the cost of registration (see below). The summit will explore the links between hip hop culture and culturally responsive instruction, including guest speakers such as Columbia University professor Christopher Emdin. For more information, visit the Teaching with Purpose website. If you're interested in attending, contact Suzanne Cohen:[email protected].
Thursday, June 16th
Harriet Tubman Middle School
2231 N Flint Ave
Portland, OR 97227
Professional Improvement and Tuition Reimbursement Funds
Are you thinking about taking classes this summer? Interested in attending a conference? The PAT/PPS contract provides funds for professional development as well as tuition reimbursement. The Professional Improvement Fund allows educators to spend $1500 over three years for transportation, meals, lodging, and registration costs to attend a conference, provided it has a legitimate pedagogical purpose.
You will need to follow these guidelines to access the Professional Improvement Fund. The District will also reimburse professional educators for tuition cost for up to six (6) noncumulative hours in a 12-month period for which graduate credit is granted by a college or university. See the PAT/PPS contract for details and the PPS website for how to access your tuition reimbursement.
National Board Certification Workshop
Do you have questions about National Board Certification? The National Board of Professional Teaching Standards will host two presentations this month for PPS teachers. Come learn more about state and local supports (and incentives) and what it takes to become a National Board Certified Teacher.
Tuesday, May 31st at BESC Board Room 4:30-5:30 pm.
A short presentation will be given, followed by a time to ask questions.
For further information, please contact Cindy Dulcich: [email protected] or Stacy Meyer: [email protected].