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Shawna Exline Promotes Justice with NWPE Grant
posted by: Cindy Omlin | November 01, 2016, 05:40 PM   

Congratulations to NWPE member, Shawna Exline, grades 6-8 English/language arts teacher at Idaho Fine Arts Academy in the West Ada School District, Meridian, ID.  Ms. Exline  was awarded a $300 grant on Wednesday, October 26, by NWPE Regional Director Brenda Miller to fund transportation costs for a 7th grade field trip to the Boise Art Museum's exhibit “Witnessing History” where students will explore “Minidoka: Artist as Witness”  and learn about the ways artists have responded to the Japanese internment camp at Minidoka during World War II.  Students will participate in activities highlighting the experiences of the people who lived there.

shawna exline grant winner 10-26-16Ms. Exline noted in her application, “Our 7th grade 2nd quarter unit is Struggles and Injustice. We read the novel, Farewell to Manzanar, and study Idaho's internment of the Japanese during WWII. This museum exhibit would provide my students with an arts integrated experience that enhances our literature study and highlights the Minidoka (Idaho) Internment Camp.”

An advocate for teacher professionalism, Ms. Exline believes teachers must push back against critics who misunderstand teachers and the teaching process.  “Teachers need to be active advocates for education. Teachers must take every opportunity to speak up and write about what it takes to effectively teach our children. The public hears too often from critics or experts that are not teaching students. Teachers need to be the voice of education. Respect is earned.”

NWPE is proud to support exceptional, dedicated educators like Ms. Exline!  She has served as the President of the Idaho International Reading Association and received honors such as the National Title I Program Award, Friend of  Education Phi Delta Kappa award, and West Ada District Teacher of the Year award.

She describes how joining NWPE has assisted her goal of advancing professionalism.  "I have been actively seeking a professional educational organization to join since 1987 when I quit being an active member of the local teachers’ union. NWPE's student-centered and professional focus aligns with my beliefs about being a quality educator. NWPE is positive, nonpartisan and supports professionalism.

“I am a teacher at a public school of choice. My children attended schools of choice both public and private. I believe that choice is important because school choice definitely has advanced my career and the academic lives of my own children. I love teaching in a school that ignites my passion of the arts. I am proud to be a ‘school of choice teacher’ and I’m proud to be a member of Northwest Professional Educators, a professional association that supports educators in all settings in Idaho.”

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