Washington Ethnic Studies Now (WAESN) is in the process of filing for 501(c)4 status. We are choosing 4, instead of 3, so we can lobby for ethnic studies and racial justice on the State level, but today we want to start with local educator association elections! The WAESN Board of Directors has voted to endorse the Racial Justice/Ethnic Studies slate for Seattle Education Association’s (SEA) Officer Elections.
Additionally, the Seattle Public Schools Ethnic Studies Advisory Group (ESAG) has voted to endorse the Racial Justice/Ethnic Studies slate. Several ESAG members are running for various positions, as indicated below. This slate was assembled in response to the SPS central office administration’s blatant disregard and disruption of the Ethnic Studies and Racial Justice work union members have fought so hard for.
SEA is the only local in Washington State with a program focused on racial justice, the Center for Racial Equity, whose director is an elected position and part of the leadership team. SEA is leading the State on organizing for racial justice, and that is why WAESN is choosing to endorse this slate. Educator unions can be a powerful tool in advancing racial justice and Ethnic Studies and we hope this might serve as a model for all Washington Education Association locals.
The Slate
President: Jon Greeberg (ESAG Member)
Treasurer: Vallerie Fisher
Center for Racial Equity Director: Marquita Prinzing
SEA Board Members:
Elementary
Amanda Hubbard (ESAG Member)
Usana Jordan
Middle School
Jeff Treistman
High School
Jennifer Dunn (ESAG Member)
Jennifer Hall
Edmund Trangen
Paraprofessionals Department: Bruce Jackson (ESAG Member)
Substitute Department:
President: Stan Strasner
Vice President: Peter Henry
The Platform
Racial Equity
- Centering ethnic studies and culturally responsive practices
- Creating equitable systems for supporting students and improving restorative practices in our schools
- Recruiting and retaining educators of Color
- Eliminating standardized testing
Fully-Funded Public Schools
- Hiring more support professionals, including family support workers, counselors, and full-time nurses in every building
- Ensuring healthy and safe school environments
- Advocating for progressive funding and budgeting at the district, city, and state levels
Empowerment of Our Union Community
- Bargaining with transparency for the common good
- Increasing member voices in union decision-making
- Building more community partnerships
- Holding district leadership accountable to its own policies and rhetoric