Strengthening Washington's Public Schools

Want to nominate someone for the 2010 WEA ESP of the Year award? Click here for an entry form. The nomination deadline is Friday, Feb. 12, 2010.

See a video profile on 2009 ESP of the Year -- Julie Wickersham, an occupational therapy assistant in Clarkston.

We all know our schools would not operate well without the hard work and assistance of Education Support Professionals (ESP). They are the secretaries, paraeducators, food service personnel, custodians, bus drivers, maintenance employees, mechanics, nurses, early childhood educators, security personnel and coaches who make schools safe, efficient and healthy. Nominate someone today.

17th annual "A Teacher to Remember" student essay contest

The 2010 essay contest is underway, and the deadline is Thursday, March 4. Look for a poster in your school library with contest details. Click here for an entry form.

Washington state public school students in grades 3-12 are eligible to enter this contest each year. Students write about a special teacher who positively influenced them. One grand prize winner is selected from each of the combined grade-level categories (3-5, 6-8, 9-12). There is a category for ESL/ELL students, and a category for multimedia entries.

See the 2009 winning essays: Grades 3-5 -- Grades 6-8 -- Grades 9-12 -- ESL/ELL students (all grades) -- Multimedia (all grades): No overall winner.

2010 Human and Civil Rights (HCR)
Want to nominate someone for a 2010 Human and Civil Rights award? Click here for an entry form. The nomination deadline is Friday, March 12, 2010. Anyone from the community may nominate a person or a group for these awards.

The 2009 HCR winners:

Cultural Awareness Dave Egly, coordinator
The Native Community Wellness Program
Spokane, WA

Student Involvement
Creating Unity Through Community: Cougar Compadres
Issaquah Valley Elementary, Issaquah, WA

Community Service
Kitsap County Council for Human Rights
Port Orchard, WA