The WSCSS, OCSS, and U.W. Jackson School are Building Bridges on the Columbia!
The 2018 Spring Conference will convene at Skamania Lodge on March 9-11th, 2018
Registration Deadline: Friday, February 9th, 2018
Calling all Washington and Oregon teachers! We are so excited to be upgrading the spring conference and retreat to a new resort location for 2018! Visit the beautiful Columbia Gorge, avoid the mountain passes, and meet and build connections with new friends from across the state and across state lines!
2018 Keynote Speakers
Friday Night: Tom Ikeda
The World War II Japanese American Incarceration and Why it Matters Today
2018 marks the 76th anniversary of Executive Order 9066, which led to the incarceration of 120,000 innocent Japanese Americans. Densho executive director Tom Ikeda will discuss how this injustice happened during a time of fear and how we are seeing similar fears appearing in America today.
Saturday Breakfast: Chris Reykdal
Social Studies teacher and Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal is a passionate advocate for Civic Education and will deliver a "State of the State" address.
Saturday Lunch: Walter Parker, Professor of Education and Political Science at the University of Washington
Can Education Save Democracy?
Democracies are the historical exception, not the historical rule (tyranny is the historical rule). Most democracies end when “we the people” elect a demagogue who then dismantles the democracy. This is how democracies typically commit suicide, and it is why the Greeks equated democracy with mob rule—the tyranny of the majority. So, can education tame the mob? Can it discipline the majority? Walter Parker is Professor of education and political science at the University of Washington. He studies social studies education K-12 and the civic development of youth. He will discuss the extent to which education can "save democracy."
Saturday Night Keynote Speaker: Andrea Rodgers, Senior Attorney with Our Children's Trust
The Atmosphere is the Breath of Life: Youth Taking Their Governments to Court to Assert Their Constitutional Rights to A Stable Climate System.
In 2015, 21 young people from across the United States filed a constitutional climate change lawsuit against the federal government in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. These plaintiffs assert that, in causing climate change, the federal government has violated the youngest generation’s constitutional rights to life, liberty, and property, and has failed to protect essential public trust resources. In addition to the details and stunning implications of this historic case, Andrea will also share an exciting update on the various youth-brought state lawsuits that Our Children's Trust also supports.
Choices Program Pre-Conference Workshop
We at the WSCSS are very excited to have them offer our first ever Pre-Conference Workshop on Friday, March 9th, before the official opening of our own Spring Conference at the Skamania Lodge!
Engaging Students in Contemporary World Issues
The Choices Program will hold a half-day pre-conference workshop, Engaging Students in Contemporary World Issues, on Friday, March 9th, from 9-1. The cost is $50 if you register before Jan. 15th. All participants will receive breakfast and two Choices curriculum units, China on the World Stage: Weighing the U.S. Response, and Climate Change and Questions of Justice. Washington teachers will receive four clock hours. The workshop is co-sponsored by University of Washington's East Asia Resource Center.
Conference Registration
Registration includes admittance to all regular sessions, five meals at Skamania Resort, and 16 clock hours (WA Teachers) or 16 PDU's (Oregon Teachers)
- Teacher: $275
- Group (4+ teachers from the same district): $250
- Presenter: $240
- Spouse (meals only): $185
PAYMENT INFO -- We are an all-volunteer nonprofit comprised of working teachers. To simplify conference registration, all registrations payments are through online credit card only. We no longer accept checks or purchase orders. If your district is paying your conference fee, please ask your administrator to use the district credit card.
QUESTIONS -- If you have any registration questions or concerns including cancellation, please contact Mary Barnes at mbarnes7@uw.edu.
LODGING AT SKAMANIA -- Don't delay! Skamania Lodge is nearing capacity. Lodging is not included with registration. Please remember to place your deposit/reserve accommodations at Skamania Lodge for Friday, March 9th and Saturday, March 10th. The lodge has a discounted WSCSS room rate if you reserve your room before February 15th. Use the code 1Y154B to get the discounted rate. The code can be used online or over the phone. If you try to use the code in the evening and it doesn't work, try again in the morning (the day manager has to expand our room block each morning if it fills the evening before).
