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“The Politics of the Brokenhearted,” a national conference led by Parker J. Palmer that will be held May 20-23, 2010, at Islandwood on Bainbridge Island

If you believe in the promise of democracy and lament the ways ours is falling short; if you want to rethink the meaning of citizenship at a time when divisiveness diminishes the power of “we, the people” while other powers run the show; if you want to help our society renew a sense of the common good as an individual and in the institutions where you live and work, we’d like you to join us. –Parker Palmer.

I’m writing to invite you to attend and to pass the word to your network to attend a unique event: “The Politics of the Brokenhearted,” a national conference led by Parker J. Palmer that will be held May 20-23, 2010, at Islandwood on Bainbridge Island. The conference will be repeated October 21-24, 2010, in the Boston Area. Palmer, educator, activist and author of the best selling book, The Courage to Teach, is currently completing a book that addresses the tenuous state of American democracy, the role of citizenship and the importance of cultivating the habits of the heart that make citizenship and democracy thrive.

Cultivating citizenship to sustain democracy lies at the heart of the mission of education. Yet how often is that purpose lost in the blizzard of issues that swirl around and in colleges and schools today?

The May conference is intended for 100 people across the political spectrum who want to rekindle the mission of cultivating citizenship and to help heal the divides that threaten American democracy. The program will feature compelling presentations by Parker and others, in depth large and small group dialogues and performances by singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer. Participants will leave with deeper understandings and practical approaches to bring back to their experience of public dialogue and civic engagement.

Since 1997, the Center for Courage & Renewal has helped thousands of teachers and leaders in education and other professions across North America reclaim identity and integrity in the work they do—renewing vocational commitments, deepening their capacity to serve, and calling the institutions in which they work back to their highest callings. The Center does much of its work in settings called Circles of Trust ®, and the conference will be grounded in such circles, a “portable” form of community based on principles and practices that participants can use when they return home.

You can find additional information about the program and register via the Center’s web page. Parker Palmer’s book-in-progress. Bill Moyers interview with Parker Palmer. More about Carrie Newcomer.

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Announcements

2010 Study Canada Summer Institute

Western Washington University is now accepting registrations for the 2010 STUDY CANADA Summer Institute for K-12 Educators held in Vancouver and Whistler, BC (June 20-25).

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Seattle Times Newspaper in the Classroom

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Puget Sound Explorers Maritime Education

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State Capitol Virtual Tour

Virtual tour offers Capitol access to all visitors.

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NEW CBA-Aligned Washington State History & Culture Curriculum Available Free on Web

Northwest Heritage Resources has developed a new (in 2008) 10 week curriculum unit of 40 Lesson Plans with accompanying cultural community and traditional art form essays and a searchable database of Washington state traditional artists titled, "King County and Washington State Cultural Geography, Communities, Their History and Traditions". The curriculum unit is designed to meet the educational requirements of the Washington Superintendent's Office of Public Instruction Classroom-Based Assessment for "Enduring Cultures". While it specifically targets a 7th and 8th grade social studies CBA unit, many lessons, cultural essays, and the database can be adapted for use at levels 4-6 (intermediate) and higher. The curriculum and companion educational resource materials can all be accessed for free (downloaded as .pdfs) from Northwest Heritage Resources' website: www.northwestheritageresources.org. Supported with grant funding from 4Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Lady Washington Seamanship Expeditions

Lady Washington Expeditions offers a rare opportunity to learn traditional seamanship on a square-rigger.

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Leadership Retreat. March 12 - 14, 2010 at Campbell's Resort in Lake Chelan. All educators are encouraged to bring a piece of student work (or two) that exemplifies the conference theme of "Teaching Like Our Futures Depend On It." These will be shared in one or more sessions (and perhaps in your own informal gatherings).

Fall Conference. at Edmonds Woodway High School. October 2010.

K-8 Conference, Feb. 2011

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WSCSS Teacher of the Year Award

The Washington State Council for the Social Studies strives to promote social studies education in Washington State. Teacher support and recognition are a large part of this mission.

Get the 2010 Teacher of the Year award application here.

During the 2009 Leadership Retreat at Lake Chelan Matt Yarkosky was announced as our 2009 Teacher of the year. Meet Matt.