Nominations are now offically open for our next ESD 105 Regional Teacher of the Year! The 2010-2011 Regional Teacher of the Year won't be announced until August (shortly before the start of the new school year), but application materials will need to be submitted to ESD 105 no later than Friday, May 7, 2010. This program annually honors an educator who exemplifies teaching excellence in our south central Washington region.  Our regional honoree will also serve as one of 10 candidates statewide for the Washington State Teacher of the Year.  The statewide award will be announced in the fall, and will include nominees from each of Washington's nine ESDs plus — beginning this year — one...

The 37th annual Educational Service District 105 Regional High School Art Show is a truly eye-inspiring showcase of the best in the creative talents from south central Washington's schools!  This year's exhibit of paintings, drawings, photography, and sculptures runs February 7-21 at the Allied Arts of Yakima Valley’s Peggy Lewis Gallery (5000 West Lincoln Avenue in Yakima). An opening reception will be held on Sunday, February 7, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., with awards being presented at 2:15 p.m., during which time the students receiving awards will give a brief description about their work.  After the opening day, the public may continue viewing the exhibit during Mondays...

The deadlines are February 5 and February 12 to apply for the scholarship programs sponsored by the Washington State Migrant Education Program to attend this summer's Space Academy at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.  This year's Space Academy trip will occuring July 10-17. • Teacher-Chaperone Scholarships: Middle school math/science teachers are invited to apply for one of MEP's three statewide scholarships to attend the Space Academy for Educators.  Teacher applications must be received on or before Friday, February 5.  Application materials are available here. • Student Scholarships: Eligible...

Do you know any outstanding young person or youth group in Yakima County deserving of being publicly honored for their great contributions?  Area volunteers are seeking nominations now for the 17th annual Yakima County Youth Awards. These awards are open to anyone from the age of 5 to 19 for their achievements in any of the following categories:
• The Arts
• Business/Enterprise
• Civic/Community Service
• Family Life
• Leadership
• Personal Achievement
• Small Groups (up to 9 members)
• Large Groups (10 or more members) Nominations must be postmarked by Friday, February 12, and mailed to:  Yakima Youth Awards, 407 S. 25th Avenue, Yakima,...

Congratulations to the 77 teachers from the ESD 105 region who achieved their certifications with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in 2009!  These teachers met the high standards of the NBPTS through a year-long process of study, expert evaluation, self-assessment, and peer review to improve their capability of providing excellent instruction to the students in their classrooms. Here are our area’s teachers who among the 1,251 Washington educators who became National Board certified teachers during 2009: • Cle Elum-Roslyn School District: Kamille Baker (generalist) • East Valley School District: Caryn Rollin (math), Kristy Thurman (literacy/reading/language...