Congratulations to NWPE member Emily Lockhart, 7th-8th grade math teacher at Pocatello Community Charter School.  Ms. Lockhart, a two year member of NWPE, received a $500 grant to purchase math games and materials to increase the mathematical fluency of her students.  It is this type of support that Ms. Lockhart appreciates about NWPE.  “I chose to become an NWPE member because I like the resources available. It makes me feel safer in my job to know that I have legal support if need be. I also like having a voice in educational topics in the political sphere. I was happy to hear that NWPE was an option. The local union has not always been supportive of charter schools and I’m not sure that their decisions are always in my best interest. I’m proud to work at a charter school where families can choose to expose their children to different ways of learning and I think that this choice enhances the Pocatello Community.”

Congratulations to NWPE Member MaryKate DeBoer, fifth grade teacher at the Idaho Arts Charter School in Nampa, ID! Ms. DeBoer has been awarded a $500 Classroom Grant to purchase two Chromebooks for her classroom.  Ms. DeBoer, a three year member of NWPE, joined NWPE as she saw the value of not only having liability insurance but also access to teacher grant programs and educational resources.

Congratulations to Ms. Rebecca Stucki, NWPE member and first grade teacher at Iowa Elementary in Nampa, ID, on her $500 NWPE Classroom Grant.  Ms. Stucki notes that what excites her most about NWPE membership is the affordability of liability coverage and the additional supports that NWPE offers should she need it.  She also likes being part of a professional organization which respects her individuality.  “I appreciate the opportunity to be part of a process without having to adopt any one collective group's ideas.”

Congratulations to Karen Lyle of Davenport School District, who was recently awarded a $500 Teacher Scholarship to attend the Ron Clark Academy.  Ms. Lyle, a ten year member of NWPE, shared that she appreciates having options. “NWPE has helped me many times over the years, and my Board is supportive of choice.”  NWPE Regional Director Brenda Miller presented her award at a school staff meeting on April 25.

Congratulations to Mr. Randall Owyang, an eleven year member of NWPE and music teacher for K-5 and special education students in Bethel, WA.  He has been awarded a $500 classroom grant to expand student participation in band.  Mr. Owyang appreciates how his NWPE membership “helps me to remain focused on student learning without distractions. I appreciate NWPE's thought-provoking e-letters, tangible support though liability insurance, scholarships and grants, and personal contact with organizational leadership.” 

Congratulations to Ms. Becky Mitchell, an NWPE member and high school English/language arts and chemistry teacher at Vision Charter School in Caldwell, ID.  Ms. Mitchell was awarded a $500 Classroom Grant by Brenda Miller, NWPE regional director, at a school staff meeting on March 30th.  A proud NWPE member for 3 years, Ms. Mitchell states that she was excited to have an organization to join that had so many benefits but none of the politics of other organizations.  “I feel protected by the liability insurance and part of a bigger movement in the world of education.”

Congratulations to Megann Erni, Waterville High School Math teacher, who was recently awarded a $250 New Classroom Start Up Grant.  NWPE member and one of the leaders of the Waterville Teacher Leadership Council Justin Grillo presented the award at a staff meeting focused on leadership. 

Congratulations to Ms. Sara Klure, a second grade teacher at Rolling Hills Public Charter School in Boise, ID.  She has been awarded a $250 New Classroom Start-Up Grant to purchase classroom novel sets that would allow each student to have their own copy during  novel units and more books for the class’ independent reading library.  NWPE Regional Director Brenda Miller awarded the grant a staff meeting. New to NWPE, Sara chose NWPE after having not been part of a professional organization for about 6 years. “I was unhappy with my past organization because there were a lot of secret meetings and political agendas. I appreciate that NWPE keeps their messages focused on ways to keep teaching professional and that they do not affiliate themselves with political agendas.”

Congratulations to NWPE member Lauren Menger, 3rd/4th grade teacher at Idaho Arts Charter School on winning a $250 New Classroom Start Up Grant.  The award was presented to her by Brenda Miller, NWPE regional director, at a school staff meeting.  Laura appreciates the support that NWPE gives teachers.  “I joined NWPE because of the amazing benefits that it offers. I specifically love how willing they are to help teachers out. A representative came to our school and was extremely personable. She mentioned several examples of how NWPE can provide support to educators. What stood out to me most was how you can simply call up to get advice. Sometimes an outside perspective really helps. I also value the legal representation.”

Choice.  Sounds nice, right?  That’s why New Classroom Start Up Grant winner Tiffany Jessen, a second grade teacher at Centennial Elementary in Nampa, ID, joined NWPE.  “My primary reason for joining NWPE was choice. I didn't want my money to go towards politics that I did not agree with. I also appreciate NWPE’s much lower cost. As a new teacher, I don't make much money and much of it has gone to setting up my classroom.   I have appreciated having a choice because I feel that my money should go where my values go. Though I understand that education is political, I don't feel that our union should support political candidates.”

Congratulations to NWPE member Angie Samson, a 4th grade teacher at The Village Charter School in Boise, ID.  NWPE Regional Director Brenda Miller recently awarded Ms. Samson with a $250 New Classroom Start-Up Grant to enhance her classroom.  Ms. Samson plans to build up her classroom library and leveled reading group materials as well as purchase math manipulatives, math games, and some inside recess/free time games with the grant funds.

Congratulations to Terri King, NWPE member and business teacher at Odessa High School.  Ms. King was recently awarded a $500 scholarship  by NWPE Regional Director Brenda Miller who presented the award at an all school staff meeting.  Ms. King will use the funds to attend the 2016 Northwest Council of Computer Education (NCCE) Conference in Seattle, WA, in February.   She will take courses with special emphasis on learning how to integrate technology into the curriculum and digital literacy.

Congratulations to Mr. David Jones, a general music and band instructor at Spirit Lake Elementary in the Lakeland School District, who was awarded a $500 grant from Brenda Miller, NWPE Regional Director.  Ms. Miller presented the award at a school staff meeting on November 17th.

Congratulations to NWPE member Mr. Laurent Motte, an eighth to twelfth grade foreign language teacher at Chrysalis School, a private school in Woodinville, WA.  Mr. Motte has been awarded a $500 Classroom Grant from NWPE to purchase carefully chosen European comics that will enrich students’ experience with foreign language both at home and in individual teaching sessions.

Congratulations to Ms. Karen Garner, a first/second grade teacher at Idaho Arts Charter School, in Nampa, ID, who was awarded a $500 Classroom Grant from NWPE.  Brenda Miller, NWPE regional director, presented the award at a school staff meeting. 

Congratulations to Ms. Catherine Goff, a Kindergarten through 6th grade resource room teacher, at Idaho Arts Charter School, in Nampa, ID.  Ms. Goff’s scholarship will help her attend the 2016 General and Special Education Conference in Seattle, WA, at which she will learn the latest brain-based theories/studies in reading, writing, and math strategies and interventions.

Congratulations to Mr. Zach Parker, an NWPE member and high school World History teacher at Sage International School of Boise, a public charter school.  Mr. Parker was recently awarded a $500 Classroom Grant from NWPE, the state’s only non-union professional teacher association.  Brenda Miller, NWPE Regional Director, presented the award at a recent school staff meeting. 

Congratulations to Jennifer Palmer, 11th-12th grade Math teacher a Madison High School in Rexburg, ID.  Ms. Palmer was recently presented with a $300 teacher scholarship from Northwest Professional Educators by Brenda Miller, Regional Director for Outreach and Membership in Idaho.  Ms. Palmer will use the funds to help pay for her attendance at the July 2015 Intermountain AP Institute in Bountiful, Utah.  The conference is College Board approved and is designed to provide teachers with assistance and guidance to teach AP courses.  Tips are given for refreshing and improving existing AP courses as well as strategies and activities for teaching course content.

Congratulations to Emmett, ID, teacher Katie Watkins who was recently presented with a $300 Classroom grant from Brenda Miller, Northwest Professional Educators’ Regional Director for Outreach and Membership in Idaho.  A new teacher, Katie finds that “building a solid, engaging, and interactive curriculum for students can be especially trying when the resources are not available.”

Congratulations to Heidi Metzger, first grade teacher at Longfellow International Elementary School in Boise, ID, on winning a $300 professional development scholarship from Northwest Professional Educators (NWPE).   NWPE Regional Director Brenda Miller presented the award at a school staff meeting.