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Here's What's Brewing Today
Monday, August 16, 2021
ICYMI - IMPACT Review
On Friday, Chancellor Lewis Ferebee emailed you a document titled, “IMPACT Review Update: Initial Set of Evolutions to Impact and Preliminary Findings.” The WTU wants you to know that we do not consider this anything close to what is necessary to improve the flawed, ineffective IMPACT evaluation system.
AU’s summary of findings found: “Overall perceptions of IMPACT were more negative than positive, but with a great deal of variation in perspectives across teachers as well as school leaders.” “Many teachers and school leaders perceived that IMPACT created an unhealthy environment of distrust, fear and competitiveness in schools that trickles down into the classroom.” “Subjectivity, bias and gaming the system were all cited as threats to validity in teacher interviews, in school leader focus groups, and in the school leader survey.” And it found that “teachers perceived that the high-stakes and anxiety-producing environment may cause them (or others) to leave DCPS.”
Nowhere does DCPS adequately address these issues. We encourage you to read the full AU report.
ICYMI – MOA and Vaccination Policy
The WTU worked through the weekend to move towards finalizing a memorandum of agreement with DCPS on health and safety issues. We hope to reach an agreement soon.
The WTU supports the get-vaccinated-or-be-tested requirement for all DCPS educators and other school staff announced last week. Getting vaccinated, or getting tested regularly, and wearing face masks is essential now that we’ll be back in school buildings, five days a week—with the goal of having a full complement of healthy school staff. We strongly urge everyone who is eligible—including our students who are 12 years and older—to be fully vaccinated. If you are not vaccinated, testing will be available at your workplace or can be done elsewhere during work hours at the city’s expense, with no penalty for taking time off from work. The mandate does include exemptions, for medical and religious reasons. If you have any questions about the vaccination policy, please contact the WTU at 202-517-1477.
OSSE Educator Credentialing Information System - Technical Support Sessions
The OSSE Educator Licensure Technical Support Team hosts monthly virtual office hours for all individuals who require technical support (TS) to access and/or use the ECIS V2.0 online system to apply for a DC educator credential. Click here to learn more.
2021-2022 Open Season for Maternity Leave and Sick Leave Banks
The WTU is adding an Open Season from August 1st through August 31st for the Maternity Leave and Sick Leave Banks. To join either bank you donate 8 hours (one day) of the total 96 hours (12 days) that is loaded to your leave balance on October 1, 2021 (to join both banks, you’d donate two days or 16 hours). After enrollment, there is a 3 month wait before you can access the banks (ie, you’ll be eligible on January 1, 2022). Once you join the bank you remain in the bank, until you opt-out. If you have any questions contact Charmaine Wilks at [email protected] or 202 517-1475.
DCPS will not accept individual requests to be removed from either the Sick Leave and/or the Maternity Leave Bank. Please contact Charmaine Wilks at [email protected] before the October 1, 2021 if you’d like to be removed from these banks.
AM Brew News and Notices will be archived at https://www.wtulocal6.net/AMBrew.
Professional Development
WTU Professional Learning - FALL 2021 Course Offerings
Sign up now for amazing, engaging, and informative virtual fall professional development with the WTU.
Early Bird Discount available until 8/27!!! Learn more and Register HERE.
WTU Teacher Leader Program SY2021-22
The Washington Teachers' Union invites you to participate in the Teacher Leaders program for school year 2021-2022. Educators from the District of Columbia Public Schools who are union members with full-time responsibilities will be selected to join a nationwide teacher leaders' network. We are seeking teachers who would like to take an active role in influencing policy.
We will provide teachers with opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills to influence policy locally, statewide, and nationally. This will include framing practical policy positions that relate to improved student achievement; conducting research in classrooms and schools; engaging the public and elected officials in community conversations about education; participating on advisory boards, panels, and task forces; developing policy recommendations based on research conducted; and publishing and disseminating findings and recommendations nationwide. ·
Apply by 9/3/21. Click for additional information, including mandatory workshop dates and to Apply.
Next Generation Personal Finance Back to the Classroom PD Conference 8/21
Next Generation Personal Finance is hosting their annual back-to-school conference on Saturday, August 21, 2021, from 10AM - 4:30PM EST. The event will be held virtually and is free for all educators to attend. Learn more and register HERE
Think Local, Crank Global: Go-Go Workshop for Educators
Through this 2 1/2 hour virtual workshop, educators will learn how to:
- Use instruments we shake, scrape, and strike to enhance curriculum and teach the art of go-go music
- Make music from items within their environment using the JunkYard Band as an example
- Make something out of nothing; go-go through body percussion, tables, and more!
Tuesday, August 17, 2021 (10:00 AM 12:30 PM). Learn more and register here.
Math Alliance Announcements
In Class with Carr and Hunter, episode 73, on YouTube - to view their discussion of Bob Moses, scroll forward to 1 hour, 6 minutes and 10 seconds into this episode: https://youtu.be/xY8xPkabX0I
Caste in the Classroom - a documentary film by the Data for Better Schools group with the Young People’s Project - has been selected for the Bronze Lens Film Festival August 17th -22nd, 2021 (in Atlanta)! To register for the 2021 Bronze Lens Film Festival, please visit: https://bronzelens.com/registration/. To see Caste in the Classroom and related resources, visit: https://www.typp.org/dbs. This is recognized as a leading film festival for especially African-American film-makers.
NCTM Annual Meeting & Exposition - empowering the voice of teachers - from critical conversations to intentional actions, Atlanta, GA, Sept. 22-25, 2021. See: https://www.nctm.org/atlanta2021/
Additional Professional Development opportunities are also posted regularly to the PD Blog at https://www.wtulocal6.net/pdblog.
Upcoming Events
August 17 – New Educator Orientation Begins
August 18 - State Board of Education Public Meeting. The DC SBOE is holding an August Meeting. Unlike most meetings, there is no organized panels or program – it’s an opportunity for the SBOE to hear from YOU. We hope you’ll join and express your concerns and desires about the DCPS plans to reopen schools and other topics you’re passionate about. Learn more here: https://sboe.dc.gov/page/sboe-meeting-information
August 20 – Pre-Service Begins
August 30 – First Day of School (K-12)
Save the Date - New Educators, Pick up your WTU Swag -- 3:00pm – 5:00pm
- Friday, August 20th @ Wilson HS
- Monday, August 23rd @ Anacostia HS
- Tuesday, August 24th @ Capitol Hill Montessori
- Wednesday, August 25th @ Luke C Moore HS
- Thursday, August 26th @ Coolidge HS
- Friday, August 27th @ CHEC (Columbia Heights Education Campus)
- Thursday, September 2nd @ WTU Office (1239 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE)
Partner events and other upcoming events of interest are also posted to the AMBrew Blog.
Reminders:
2021-2022 Vacancies
Open positions for the 2021-2022 School Year are posted here.
ICYMI: DC Educator Wellness Center
In partnership with EVERFI, a social impact educational technology company, the WTU is pleased to share with you the DC Educator Wellness Center. The funding for the DC Educator Wellness Center is provided by Johnson & Johnson. In the DC Educator Wellness Center you will find access to a prevention-forward, self-guided, digital microlearning experience designed to provide you with on-demand content related to mental health. The growing list of topics includes Mental Health Basics, Managing Mental Health Challenges, Developing Resilience, Supporting Loved Ones With Mental Health Challenges, and Mindful Living. You can read more here.
We’re continuing to update our database.
Please help us ensure we have your current personal contact information on file. Click here or email [email protected] to provide us with updated information.