AWSP Blog

Do you know a paraeducator, emergency substitute or community member who is interested in becoming a special education teacher? Washington Education Association (WEA) Apprenticeship Residency in Teaching is an innovative pathway to earn a teaching certificate with an endorsement in special education on the job while receiving a salary and benefits. Candidates must have obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher (prior to the program start date) and be available for residency (student teaching) in a partner district: Auburn, Federal Way, Issaquah, Mukilteo, Pasco, Peninsula, Sedro Woolley, Sumner-Bonney Lake or Walla Walla. Applications for 2025-2026 residents are open until October 9, 2024.

April marks World Autism Awareness/Acceptance Month, emphasizing the significance of embracing and honoring the diverse autistic and neurodiverse members of our school communities, including our school leaders and educators.

Yesterday, the Legislature adjourned “Sine Die”. Over the past few days, decisions were solidified about final supplemental budgets and final bill language. Here is my description about this year’s legislative session based on the book Fortunately that I used to read to my own kids.

Today, March 1, is the last day to consider (or pass) opposite house bills (except initiatives and alternatives to initiatives, budgets and matters necessary to implement budgets, differences between the houses, and matters incident to the interim and closing of the session). March 7 is scheduled to be “Sine Die” – the last day of the legislative session. Work goes on behind the scenes to reconcile the two different budgets from the House and the Senate.

A collective “ugh” was felt by the education community this week at the Capitol as the House and Senate released their supplemental budgets. Education advocates remain concerned by inadequate funding and we are using several talking points from OSPI to help explain why districts are facing shortages.