WERA/OSPI Annual Conference

Disrupting the Status Quo:
Ensuring Equity, Engagement and Achievement for all Washington Learners

December 6-7, 2018
December 5 - Pre-Conference Workshops

Hilton Seattle Airport Hotel and Conference Center

 Click here to access Conference Presentations

Washington Educational Research Association (WERA) and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) present the WERA/OSPI Annual Conference on December 6-7, 2018 at the Hilton Seattle Airport Hotel and Conference Center. 

All registrants will automatically receive one year WERA membership as a benefit of registering for the Conference.

REGISTER NOW  to join your colleagues from across the state for this outstanding event. The conference will feature two nationally known keynote speakers, a Pre-Conference day filled with workshops on topics of particular interest, and two days of breakout presentations from educators across the state. There will be presentations of value for teachers, principals, curriculum specialists, central office staff, and post-secondary educators.

Click here for further information about Washington Educational Research Association (WERA).

See Pre-Conference Sessions
PRELIMINARY Breakout Session Schedule
Overall Conference schedule

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS 

Dr. Adeyemi "Yemi" Stembridge

 

Adeyemi Stembridge, PhD is an educational consultant specializing in equity-focused technical assistance.  He is a coach and thought-partner to teachers and administrators with a particular interest in the design of culturally responsive systems and learning experiences for students. Dr. Stembridge has been a technical assistance provider in applied research centers at New York University, Teachers College (Columbia University) and American University in Washington, DC where he has worked directly with school districts across the country to develop strategies for closing achievement gaps and improving systems for equitable outcomes.  Dr. Stembridge has taught in K-12 schools and also at the undergraduate and graduate level. He holds a PhD in Educational Leadership from the School of Education, Teaching, and Health at American University, a Master of Arts degree from Old Dominion University in Literature, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Norfolk State University in English. His hometown is the Bronx, New York. Follow him on Twitter @DrYemiS.


Dr. John B. King, Jr.

John B. King Jr. is the president and CEO of The Education Trust, a national nonprofit organization that seeks to identify and close opportunity and achievement gaps, from preschool through college. King served as the U.S. Secretary of Education from 2016 to 2017 as a member of President Barack Obama’s administration. In tapping him to lead the U.S. Department of Education, President Obama called King “an exceptionally talented educator,” citing his commitment to “preparing every child for success” and his lifelong dedication to education as a teacher, principal, and leader of schools and school systems.

Before becoming education secretary and beginning in January 2015, King carried out the duties of the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education, overseeing all policies and programs related to P-12 education, English learners, special education, and innovation. In this role, King also oversaw the agency’s operations. King joined the department following his tenure as the first African American and Puerto Rican to serve as New York State Education Commissioner, a post he held from 2011 to 2015.

King began his career in education as a high school social studies teacher in Puerto Rico and Boston, Mass., and as a middle school principal.

King’s life story is an extraordinary testament to the transformative power of education. Both of King’s parents were career New York City public school educators, whose example serves as an enduring inspiration. Both of King’s parents passed away from illness by the time he was 12 years old. He credits New York City public school teachers — particularly educators at P.S. 276 in Canarsie and Mark Twain Junior High School in Coney Island — for saving his life by providing him with rich and engaging educational experiences and by giving him hope for the future.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in government from Harvard University, a J.D. from Yale Law School, as well as a Master of Arts in the teaching of social studies and a doctorate in education from Teachers College at Columbia University. King lives in Takoma Park, Md., with his wife (a former kindergarten and first-grade teacher) and his two daughters, who attend local public schools. You can follow King on Twitter via @JohnBKing.

REGISTRATION FEES

Pre-Conference (Wed.) (Optional)
$180 before November 8 
$200 November 8 – 27 
$230 after November 27

Pre-conference Workshop Descriptions

Assessment Conference (Thur./Fri.) *includes WERA membership
$295 before November 8 
$325 November 8 – 27
$350 after November 27

FREE CLOCK HOURS AVAILABLE

Pre-Conference = 6 
Conference = 11

Click here to register for the WERA/OSPI Conference

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS

Pre-Conference, Wednesday, December 5, 2018

The Pre-Conference program offers 12 half-day workshops. You can choose one half-day workshop in the morning and one in the afternoon. Lunch is provided. Pre-registration for specific sessions is required. 

Wednesday, December 5
8:00-9:00 A.M. Registration/Continental Breakfast
9:00 A.M. Morning Pre-Conference Workshops #1-6
12:00 P.M. Lunch
1:00 P.M. Afternoon Pre-Conference Workshops #7-12
4:00 P.M. Workshops Conclude

Assessment Conference, Thursday, December 6-Friday, December 7, 2018

The conference will feature two nationally known keynote speakers and two days of breakout presentations from educators across the state. There will be presentations of value for teachers, principals, curriculum specialists, central office staff, and post-secondary and early learning educators.

We offer over 65 breakout sessions across 13 strands including: OSPI state assessment updates in all subjects, the Common Core State Standards, RTI and MTSS, the state accountability index, EL and Dual Language programs, research studies on effective practices, educational leadership, and much more.  Click here for a preliminary list of breakout sessions. 

THURSDAY, December 6, 2018
7:30-8:30 Registration
7:45-8:15 DAC Welcome
8:30 – 10:15 General Session
10:45-12:00 Breakout Session 1
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:15-2:30 Breakout Session 2
2:45-4:00 Breakout Session 3
4:00-5:30 Networking Reception


FRIDAY, December 7, 2018
7:30-8:30 Registration
8:30 – 10:15 General Session
10:45-12:00 Breakout Session 4
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:15-2:30 Breakout Session 5
2:30 Conference concludes

New District Assessment Coordinator (DAC) Weclome, Thursday, December 6

Register to attend the New DAC Welcome on Thursday, December 6, 7:45 to 8:15 am.  This is a time for new District Assessment Coordinators (DACs), or those who still feel new, to gather and enjoy some coffee, continental breakfast, and meet others who share your work. We’ll offer some DAC survival strategies and orient you to the conference, to help you make the most of your time. Please register so we can save you a seat.  

Pre-Conference Workshops
Preliminary Breakout Session List  At A Glance Breakout Session List  coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Parking  

Hotel Information

Hilton Seattle Airport Hotel and Conference Center
17620 International Boulevard
Seattle, WA 98188
800.445.8667

A limited number of rooms are being held for conference attendees at the Hilton Seattle Airport Hotel and Conference Center. Booking your room at the Hilton not only keeps you close to the action but helps control the overall cost of the conference.

or call this number to reserve your room - 800.445.8667
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Hilton Seattle Airport Hotel Parking:
SPECIAL CONFERENCE PARKING RATE AVAILABLE!
Day Use and Overnight Parking $10 per day

Sponsorship