Good bye Caleb Perkins.
To Washington State’s Social Studies Community:
I am writing to let you know that I am leaving my position as the state’s social studies and international education supervisor. After six years with the state superintendent’s office, I have accepted a position with the New York City Department of Education and will begin this new job in July. I hope you realize how grateful I am to have had the chance to work with you on the ever-challenging, ever-inspiring task of ensuring all students in our state have meaningful opportunities to become engaged, informed, citizens. You were so welcoming to me when I first took this position in 2003 and I will always feel indebted for all the help you have given me.
At the same time, I remain optimistic, even excited about the future of social studies education in Washington. Together, we have developed a focused set of standards (the GLEs) and built a performance assessment system (the CBAs, of course) that districts are implementing across the state to ensure students are meeting these standards in authentic ways. The strength of this system has always been educators’ efforts at the local level and I am confident that these efforts will continue and even expand. Moreover, I look forward to applying the experiences I have had in Washington to New York City. Part of my new job will be to take what we have learned from the CBAs here and use these lessons to improve upon the assessment and accountability systems there.
My confidence in the future of this work in Washington also comes from OSPI’s commitment both to support the implementation of the CBAs and to hire a new program supervisor for social studies and international education as soon as possible. With regards to the latter, the position was just posted (www.k12.wa.us/employment ) and we plan to begin screening applications on June 12th so that we can schedule interviews for June 18th or 19th. I hope some of our best educators will consider applying.
So, let me conclude for now by reiterating my gratitude. You have been great colleagues and friends and I will miss our conversations. Please do keep in touch with me regarding what is happening in Washington in the months and years to come (CalebPerkins@yahoo.com). Although I have lived here for less than eight years, I believe that I will always feel connected to this part of the country. I look forward to reconnecting during one of many visits back to the Northwest.
Sincerely,
Caleb
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Exploring Humanitarian Law -- Workshop for Educators
July 27-28
Monday (7/27) 8:15am - 5:00pm
Tuesday (7/28) 8:15am – 3:00pm
American Red Cross Serving King & Kitsap Counties
1900 25th Ave South, Seattle, WA 98144
Room 207
Humanitarian law is a body of international law that aims to protect the life and human dignity of all during armed conflict and to reduce and prevent the suffering and destruction that results from war. The Exploring Humanitarian Law seminar is for all educators interested in introducing their students to issues of humanitarian law and the principles of respect for life and human dignity during armed conflict. EHL is a curriculum with modules designed for use with students ages 12-18. The materials are built on historical and contemporary situations. Topics include: The Humanitarian Perspective, Limits in Armed Conflict, The Law in Action, Ensuring Justice, and Responding to the Consequences of War
All participants will receive selections from an in-depth, user-friendly curriculum guide with 5 core modules. EHL meets national education standards for social studies. Seminar will include adaptations for ESL classes. Clock hours available. Please be advised that participants selected for the training will be asked to try out appropriate lessons with their classes during the fall term.
No cost for workshop or materials. Lunch provided.
Pre-registration required. To register, or for more information contact Elisabeth Vasquez Hein:
internationalservices@seattleredcross.org or call 206-720-5299
This program is sponsored by the American Red Cross Serving King & Kitsap Counties.
