Congratulations to NWPE member, Linda Buczynski, K-5 visual arts teacher at Sage International School of Boise.  Ms. Buczynski was awarded a $500 Teacher Scholarship on Friday, October 28, by NWPE Regional Director Brenda Miller to attend and present at the National Art Education Association (NAEA) Conference in New York City this spring.

NWPE member Bradley Hansen teaches at Xavier Charter School in Twin Falls, Idaho. According to its website, Xavier Charter Schools are dedicated to providing a classical, intellectually rigorous, content-rich, liberal arts education preparing students to excel in every duty and guiding them toward wisdom and virtue by implementing a classical curriculum which includes the humanities and classical sciences with music, drama, visual art, and dance as core subjects.  Mr. Hansen offers his perspective on working in a public charter school.

Idaho Education News publishes "Parents Support Charter Schools - And Want More" by Mr. Terry Ryan, CEO of Bluum and the Idaho Charter School Network. How should policy makers be responding to the clarion call of parents for more educational choices for their children?

This week, May 2-6, NWPE recognizes a special group of public school educators who teach in the charter school arena. These dedicated teachers face unique challenges and we’re proud to recognize their efforts!  Today we feature Virginia Hammond, a high school algebra and geometry teacher at Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy which was founded by Dr. Bill Proser who also serves as president of the NWPE Board of Directors.  The Academy is the top performing public high school in the state of Idaho according to the Washington Post.

  Continue Reading...

Congratulations to Ms. Gabrielle Saurette, 7th grade English language arts and ancient literature teacher at the Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy, who has been awarded a $500 NWPE Classroom Grant.  Ms. Saurette will use the funds to purchase a technology cart and ghosted whiteboard to allow her to project hand drawn grammar diagrams, to edit student work in real time and most of all to remove comprehension barriers from students with special needs.

Idaho Education News reports that the Washington Post has once again cited the most challenging high schools in Idaho.  Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy, founded by NWPE President Dr. Bill Proser, makes the list once again.  It received highest honors in 2013 and 2014. Riverstone International, a private school and newcomer to the list, received top honors this year with the Academy coming in at second place. However, the Washington Post lists no score for the private school and the Academy had higher ACT scores. This gives Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy top honors for the most challenging public high school in the state of Idaho.

Congratulations to NWPE members Robert McMichael and Michelle Harmon on receiving $1,000 grants from the Idaho Humanities Council!

Congratulations to NWPE Member MaryKate DeBoer, fifth grade teacher at the Idaho Arts Charter School in Nampa, ID! Ms. DeBoer has been awarded a $500 Classroom Grant to purchase two Chromebooks for her classroom.  Ms. DeBoer, a three year member of NWPE, joined NWPE as she saw the value of not only having liability insurance but also access to teacher grant programs and educational resources.

Congratulations to Ms. Rebecca Stucki, NWPE member and first grade teacher at Iowa Elementary in Nampa, ID, on her $500 NWPE Classroom Grant.  Ms. Stucki notes that what excites her most about NWPE membership is the affordability of liability coverage and the additional supports that NWPE offers should she need it.  She also likes being part of a professional organization which respects her individuality.  “I appreciate the opportunity to be part of a process without having to adopt any one collective group's ideas.”

Congratulations to Ms. Becky Mitchell, an NWPE member and high school English/language arts and chemistry teacher at Vision Charter School in Caldwell, ID.  Ms. Mitchell was awarded a $500 Classroom Grant by Brenda Miller, NWPE regional director, at a school staff meeting on March 30th.  A proud NWPE member for 3 years, Ms. Mitchell states that she was excited to have an organization to join that had so many benefits but none of the politics of other organizations.  “I feel protected by the liability insurance and part of a bigger movement in the world of education.”

Congratulations to Ms. Sara Klure, a second grade teacher at Rolling Hills Public Charter School in Boise, ID.  She has been awarded a $250 New Classroom Start-Up Grant to purchase classroom novel sets that would allow each student to have their own copy during  novel units and more books for the class’ independent reading library.  NWPE Regional Director Brenda Miller awarded the grant a staff meeting. New to NWPE, Sara chose NWPE after having not been part of a professional organization for about 6 years. “I was unhappy with my past organization because there were a lot of secret meetings and political agendas. I appreciate that NWPE keeps their messages focused on ways to keep teaching professional and that they do not affiliate themselves with political agendas.”

Northwest Professional Educators is celebrating Dr. Seuss’ Read Across America this week with personal visits and readings by the Cat in the Hat himself!  Actually,  Brenda Miller, NWPE regional director, is showing up dressed to the tee for the occasion!  

Congratulations to NWPE member Lauren Menger, 3rd/4th grade teacher at Idaho Arts Charter School on winning a $250 New Classroom Start Up Grant.  The award was presented to her by Brenda Miller, NWPE regional director, at a school staff meeting.  Laura appreciates the support that NWPE gives teachers.  “I joined NWPE because of the amazing benefits that it offers. I specifically love how willing they are to help teachers out. A representative came to our school and was extremely personable. She mentioned several examples of how NWPE can provide support to educators. What stood out to me most was how you can simply call up to get advice. Sometimes an outside perspective really helps. I also value the legal representation.”

Choice.  Sounds nice, right?  That’s why New Classroom Start Up Grant winner Tiffany Jessen, a second grade teacher at Centennial Elementary in Nampa, ID, joined NWPE.  “My primary reason for joining NWPE was choice. I didn't want my money to go towards politics that I did not agree with. I also appreciate NWPE’s much lower cost. As a new teacher, I don't make much money and much of it has gone to setting up my classroom.   I have appreciated having a choice because I feel that my money should go where my values go. Though I understand that education is political, I don't feel that our union should support political candidates.”

Congratulations to NWPE member Angie Samson, a 4th grade teacher at The Village Charter School in Boise, ID.  NWPE Regional Director Brenda Miller recently awarded Ms. Samson with a $250 New Classroom Start-Up Grant to enhance her classroom.  Ms. Samson plans to build up her classroom library and leveled reading group materials as well as purchase math manipulatives, math games, and some inside recess/free time games with the grant funds.

On Tuesday, January 27, Brenda Miller, NWPE degional director, hosted an Idaho School Choice Celebration at Vineyard Christian Academy (VCA), a private Christian school which blends traditional brick and mortal schooling with homeschooling.  The school also participated in the Idaho School Choice Rally on Wednesday, January 27.

NWPE member and Salmon River Middle School science teacher Sarah Walters took her students to the dump and the Riggins sewage treatment facility in order to prompt their interest in science and engineering. That led to a collaborative effort and entry into the Future City Competition.  Ms. Walters noted that it was a full staff effort.  “I headed up the project but owe the success of the project to the whole staff at Salmon River Middle School.  We decided this year to make Future City a collaborative project.  The Math teacher taught about scale, the history teachers taught about the city basics and what makes a city successful, the English teachers helped write the essays, the shop teacher helped build the models, and in science, we designed our engineering plans, researched waste management methods, took field trips to study how our city's waste is managed and put together our presentation.  It took not just a team of students but the staff also worked as a team.”

Woo hoo!!!  NWPE member Shawna Exline, West Ada 2016 Teacher of the Year, is featured in the National School Choice Spotlight video for 1-28-16.  (Please note that you have to scroll down to the video and wait for the brief audio of rapper Ludicrous to finish before the video will start.)  NWPE Regional Director Brenda Miller is furthering the celebration by hosting a lunch at Shawna's school of choice, the Idaho Fine Arts Academy, on the 29th. See below for pictures of the fun!

Idaho Governor C. L. "Butch" Otter proclaims January 25-31, 2016, "Idaho School and Teacher Choice Week."  See the signed proclation here and read below for the full text as well.