NBCT Network Newsletters: June 2009

Have you ever wondered what OSPI actually does?

Well, we certainly have! So we decided to ask Hilary Seidel, Excellence in Education Recognition Coordinator at OSPI, all about it. Here are some excerpts from that interview:

ON HOW OSPI FITS WITHIN THE STATE EDUCATION CHAIN OF COMMAND: "The truth is that it's more of a circle of command which works best when the Legislature makes laws, the State Board recommends policy and OSPI interprets policy for best implementation each in collaboration and consultation with the others."

ON HOW OSPI IS AFFECTED BY THE LEGISLATURE: "I often feel that we end up being the messenger for bad news. By the time people realize the implications of the decisions their Senators and Representatives made, session is over and the Legislature is old news."

FINAL THOUGHTS: "I hope the work that I do helps educators connect to and inspire each other to greater achievement. I hope that it helps parents recognize the tremendous amount of expertise in our schools and motivates them to become more personally involved in the success of all the children in our communities. I hope that the programs I coordinate empower educators to influence decision makers at the state and federal level, so that they can make responsible, visionary, compassionate and sustainable policy, law and funding allocations."

If you're interested in reading more of what Hilary had to say, check out the WNN webpage to download the entire transcript of the interview. You can also find a download giving more information on OSPI as an entity, as well as some specific information on Superintendent Randy Dorn's top five priorities. And most importantly, let's all take a lesson from Hilary's words. DON'T WAIT to send out an email or make a phone call to your legislator. Form those relationships NOW so that we, as professionals, will be heard when it counts. Let's make sure that our opinions aren't counted as "old news." If you're not sure where to start, check out our Legislative Toolkit (also on the webpage), loaded with all kinds of ideas on how you can engage your policymakers in a meaningful discourse about what matters most in education.

Have a terrific and much deserved summer break!

Debra Howell NBCT and Andrea Peterson NBCT

WNN Liaison Coordinators

Send all correspondence to: network@cstp-wa.org