Amplifying the Power of Youth Voice

Upcoming LEVinar: Washington's Response to Student Mental Health

In this free webinar next Thursday, September 26 at 12:30 pm, we will discuss barriers that schools and students experience in accessing and providing mental health support, what is being done to prepare educators to support students through crisis, and challenges faced when schools prioritize the mental health of students. We will bring together students, practitioners, and community-based organization partners from across the state to share their experiences.

Panelists include:

• Zachary Stowell, Principal of Robert Eagle Staff Middle School in Seattle Public Schools
• Dr. David Crump, Director of Mental Health Services at Spokane Public Schools
• Daniel Perez, Director of School Partnerships at Seneca Family of Agencies

Podcast Episode: Journalist Ebony Reed on the Black-White Wealth Gap

In this episode of Putting Students First, we interview Yale School of Management professor Ebony Reed, a seasoned journalist who is also the Chief Strategy Officer at The Marshall Project, a news outlet focused on the justice system, who discusses the intersection of race and money, how the current Black/white wealth gap compares to the gap after the Civil War, and how we should talk to our kids about wealth. Ebony’s new book, co-authored with Louise Story, is Fifteen Cents on the Dollar: How Americans Made the Black-White Wealth Gap.

You can also listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, or Spreaker.

LEVinar Recording: What Values and Goals Should Provide the Foundation of Our Education System?

In this webinar, students, families, educators, and other community leaders identify the values and goals that should provide the foundation for our K-12 education system. If we are going to provide an education where every student feels supported, valued, and has a positive sense of belonging, what values, goals, and expectations do we need to have reflected in our K-12 system?

Panelists:

• Abby Wu, a junior at Pullman High School in the Pullman School District
• Devol Yokley-Griffin, a senior at Cheney High School in the Cheney School District
• Chelsea Opiyo, a junior at Cheney High School in the Cheney School District
• Maricela Chavez, a parent of two children in 4th grade and 11th grade in the Franklin Pierce School District and an alumna of the Parent Ambassadors program through the Washington State Association of Head Start & ECEAP
• Daree Blake, a parent of 5 children in the Central Valley School District in Spokane Valley and an alumna of the Parent Ambassadors program through the Washington State Association of Head Start & ECEAP
• Blaire Penry, the 2024 Washington state Teacher of the Year who teaches Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs and fine arts for grades 6 through 12 for the Auburn School District
• Larry Quisano, Director of Recruitment and Workforce Diversity for Spokane Public Schools
• Kelly Niccolls, Director of Teaching and Learning, Curriculum & Instruction for Cheney Public Schools
• Justin Hendrickson, Professional Growth and Educator Support (PGES) and Principal Association of Seattle Schools (PASS) Principal Coach NW Region for Seattle Public Schools