Sparks
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Several years ago, WEA created a program to help support newer members of the profession in their jobs and to help them better understand their union. Hundreds of Washington school employees have become connected through Sparks, and the program is now rapidly spreading to other states.
Here's a quick look at the Sparks philosophy:
What is it?
A course for teachers and other school employees who have six or fewer years' experience in public schools and little or no experience with their association.
What is the purpose?
To make a positive connection with these newer, younger members. This is not a leadership development program -- though some people bill it that way, and we do for the WEA Leadership Academy curriculum. Participants gain a better understanding of their Association while learning skills and making connections that help them in their jobs.
How do we do it?
We survey each participant ahead and design the class around what they want to learn or gain. It is almost all inquiry (Socratic) method. You will not see staff instructors stand up for a long time and pour information into the Sparks' brains. Instead, WEA lets them make discoveries about their union on their own, related to their own priorities. They make those discoveries while learning about the issues relevant to them.
What else is different?
- Sparks participants teach one another.
- They participate in a research project where they have to come back and teach others what they have learned.
- We specifically recruit people of color as at least one-fifth to one-third of each group's participants. By putting more than one or two people of color in a group, it helps build connections and create a climate in which Sparks can feel comfortable to have meaningful discussions around issues arising from race in their professional lives. Everyone learns from this, and WEA benefits by helping leaders of color emerge within the Association.
- We also ask two Student WEA members to participate so that they can learn about these issues along with their more experienced counterparts. It's a nice way to bring them in the fold with people who are close to their age.
- We keep in touch with them after Sparks is over. We remind them that we are here to support them. We also ask them to participate in engaging other members their age. They have been successful with this.
Why do they like it?
We honor them. We spoil them. We listen to them. We create a safe environment for them to share scary issues. They are thrilled to find out they are "not the only one" going through the perils of being new in this career.
How do you become a Spark?
Contact Eddie Westerman at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Diane Flynn at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .