Lunchtime LEVinars

Welcome to Lunchtime LEVinars, free, interactive, online webinars on important and timely issues hosted by the League of Education Voters (LEV). These lunchtime webinars are designed to share information and build knowledge about the issues at the core of LEV’s policy priorities.

LEV will host each 30 to 60-minute webinar, which will include a 20–30 minute presentation by an expert from the field and 10 minutes of Q&A. Each webinar will be recorded and archived on our website.

Most Recent LEVinar

A Discussion about Critical Race Theory in K-12 Classrooms

Scholars of color developed Critical Race Theory (CRT) during the 1970s and 1980s in response to a lack of racial progress following the civil rights legislation of the 1960s. The central idea of Critical Race Theory is that racism is institutionalized and is embedded in U.S. history, legal systems, and policies. It acknowledges the continuing impacts of racial hierarchies and white dominance in America and critiques how institutionalized racism perpetuates power relations that are inherently unequal.

Critics of Critical Race Theory deny the reality of institutionalized and systemic racism, ignoring the lessons of our history.

In this webinar, we share how CRT can improve learning for students of color, and for all students, by affirming their lived experiences and providing tools to dismantle injustices in K-12 curriculum.

Panelists:

• Ruby Coulson, a senior at Sequim High School in the Sequim School District and Chair of the Washington state Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC)
• Dr. Verónica Vélez, Associate Professor of Secondary Education and Education & Social Justice at Western Washington University
• Dr. David Stovall, Professor of Black Studies and Criminology, Law & Justice at the University of Illinois at Chicago
• Tracy Castro-Gill, Executive Director of Washington Ethnic Studies Now

Watch Now (Captioning is available in English, Spanish, and Somali)

Upcoming LEVinars

Advancing Washington state Educator Diversity in the 2023 Legislative Session

There is a significant disparity between the diversity of Washington’s students and educators. BIPOC youth make up nearly half of our student population, while nearly 90% of our teachers and education leaders are white. Studies show that BIPOC students who are exposed to teachers who reflect their race and ethnicity have higher graduation rates. And when more of the adults in schools reflect the communities they serve, it also creates deeper, more authentic school/community partnerships that have the power to transform schools in ways that dismantle racism and benefit from the wisdom and vision of families.

In this free webinar, we will discuss the Washington state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s legislative priority of attracting and retaining educators of color, especially what policies we need to support to position educators of color for success, what more is needed, why so many educators have left Washington schools, and how can we work together to support and sustain a diverse education workforce in Washington state.

Panelists include:

• Eileen Yoshina, Director of Equity in Education at the Puget Sound Educational Service District and facilitator of the Educators of Color Leadership Community
• Maria Esther Zamora, creator of  the Spokane Future Teachers of Color Consortium
• Dr. Stacey Hardin, Assistant Dean for Teacher Preparation at the University of Washington College of Education

Students from The Root of Our Youth will share feedback and experiences in the classroom.

Spanish interpretation and closed captioning in English will be provided.

Moderated by League of Education Voters Communications Director Arik Korman.

Wednesday, December 7, 2022
12:30 – 1:30 pm

Register Now

What to Expect in the 2023 Legislative Session

During the 2023 legislative session, we must focus on community-driven solutions to support students and families who have been historically and systemically underserved – including students of color, students in poverty, students receiving special education services and students with disabilities, students learning English, students experiencing homelessness, and students impacted by trauma. We must use this moment as an opportunity to create meaningful and lasting change.

In this free webinar Thursday, January 5 at 12:30 pm, League of Education Voters Director of Policy and Research Jacob Vela and government relations consultant Carey Morris, along with LEV partners, will give an overview of the 2023 legislative landscape, outline our priorities for the 2023 legislative session, and answer your questions.

In addition to Jacob and Carey, panelists include:

• Shreya Shaji, a senior at North Creek High in Bothell and Legislative Affairs Director of the Washington state Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC)
• Moses Perez, Advocacy and Civic Programs Manager for Open Doors for Multicultural Families
• Andrea Kadlec, Attorney for Disability Rights Washington
• Jordan Posamentier, Vice President of Policy & Advocacy for Committee for Children

Spanish interpretation and closed captioning in English will be provided.

Moderated by League of Education Voters Communications Director Arik Korman.

Thursday, January 5, 2023
12:30 – 1:30 pm

Register Now

Previous LEVinars

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