2509 Broadway St. Vancouver, WA 98663
Phone: 360-695-3397 - Fax: 360-694-8337
Ballots are out! Please return your ballot by August 3rd for the primary election. Please make informed decisions on local races. Check out this voters guide for a listing of candidates endorsed by colleagues around the state. These candidates were chosen based on their views regarding public education and unions. If you need help or haven’t received your ballot, check out https://voter.votewa.gov/WhereToVote.aspx
Are you considering starting (or continuing) the National Board process this year? VEA’s cohort is offering an information session on September 7th 4:30 pm (via zoom ) to provide an overview of the process and opportunity to answer questions you may have. Vancouver EA members can use PD residual funds to reimburse you for the cohort experience through the district. OPSI also has conditional loans available that require participation in a cohort. Upon certification as a National Board educator, VEA also has negotiated a $1500 one-time stipend to be paid to successful candidates.
Here are a few intro resources for Boards: https://www.nbpts.org/get-certified/
What is National Board Certification? This link provides a video introduction to each component: https://www.nbpts.org/what-is-national-board-certification/
Video: Why Certify? Link: https://youtu.be/s2KNyV9ptJE
Questions? Contact Rocky Lahti for more details around the support that VEA can provide.
Do you know someone who would be a great addition to the (Vancouver Public Schools) VPS team?
VPS is hiring substitute employees in the following areas:
To view a complete job posting and apply, visit the district website; www.vansd.org, select VPS Jobs.
If you need assistance, please contact Human Resources (hrdesk@vansd.org or (360)313-1080). Vancouver Public Schools is an equal opportunity district in education programs, activities, services and employment.
Resources:
VPS – Food pantry, lunches, and support for students and families: https://vansd.org/
Health Care Authority – Coverage & FAQs: https://www.hca.wa.gov/information-about-novel-corona-virus-covid-19
PESB – Professional practices/certification: https://www.pesb.wa.gov/about-us/covid-19-resources
OSPI 2020 Guidance on Inclusionary Practices During School Closures
OSPI 2020 Supporting Multilingual/English Language Learners During School Closures
Aug 7 OSPI 20-21 TPEP Guidance
Oct Revised TPEP Student Growth Goals
Office of the Governor: https://www.governor.wa.gov/issues/issues/covid-19-resources
Career Connect is a public-partnership with industry leaders and professionals launched by Gov. Inslee to provide students across Washington an opportunity to explore options for their future. For a schedule and info on access to CareerConnect@home programs, visit www.careerconnectathome.org
Department of Retirement Services: https://www.drs.wa.gov/
VEA Members: You should be receiving COVID-19 updates via home email and text. Contact Cindy @ VEA if you are not receiving them. COVID-19 newsletters are posted under the “Newsletter” tab.
VPS & Community Child Care Resources:
Professional Development for Members:
ALERT! Fraudulent Unemployment Claims – District Guidance.
Reopening Guidance for 20-21. VEA will continue advocacy following the guidance from WEA, OSPI, DOH, L and I and the Governor.
Cases in the community and Decision Tree for reopening:
Returning to the worksite:
Through ongoing conversation with our VEA Equity Team and Executive Board, VEA is eager to share a specific CALL FOR RACIAL JUSTICE in VPS, presented to VPS School Board Directors and Superintendent Webb via email on June 11, 2020.
VEA looks forward to collaborating with VPS, alongside other key stakeholders, through intentional dialogue and transparent communication moving forward. Thank you to VEA members for your sharing the commitment to doing better for Vancouver students, colleagues, and our greater community!
The mission of the VEA Equity Team is to empower educators and students to be actively anti-racist by dismantling systemic barriers and injustice in the VEA, our schools, our community, and our profession. We acknowledge that painful racial inequities and injustices exist and persist in our community. We strive for safe, welcoming and affirming schools for all educators, students, and families, inclusive of the Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ2IA+, people with disabilities, people of all ages, people with any citizenship status or socioeconomic status and their intersectionalities.
The VEA received an overwhelming level of community support during our labor action in 2018. We encourage using the following businesses and services who supported VEA directly as a way to pay it forward and support them during these difficult times.
VEA National Board Candidate Support Cohort Program
2021-22 VEA will provide facilitated support for candidates going through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification process. Candidate support is optional for teachers completing their National Boards; however, teacher candidates who are part of a support program show a significantly higher passing rate.
As part of a cohort, candidates receive support, instruction, and feedback from their trained facilitators who are VEA colleagues. Examples include: “unpacking” the National Board component prompts, finding evidence of National Board standards, and ensuring alignment. To participate in the cohort, please complete the survey monkey found under “news flash” AND the registration form found under the documents tab above. Clock hours will be available.
Details on the 2021-22 cohort: Click Here
The Freedom Foundation (previously called the Evergreen Freedom Foundation), a known anti-union group, is trying to put a wedge between members. They have been contacting members to encourage them to drop their union membership. This is not a coincidence. They are funded by groups that are not for public education. And who is the largest advocate for public education? The Union!Read More
The preeminent purpose of the Vancouver Education Association shall be to work for the improvement of the schools of the state and nation in general, and particularly for the improvement of the Vancouver public schools to the end that these institutions become progressively better places for the students and teachers to carry out the educational activities that are necessary for the attainment of a quality education of the children they serve.
