Vicki Bates

Mom and educator for a more just world. Chocolate and exercise keep me going. She/her

[Vicki Bates @LearnerVCBates]

What a wonderful afternoon treat! The Honor Bands from middle and high school were amazing. I always love seeing our directors working across levels and playing in the groups. And our guest conductor was a special addition. @FPSD402 @EPS_EverettHS

[Vicki Bates @LearnerVCBates]

Principals’ participation in professional learning with teachers makes a positive difference! Math games tonight were fun and meaningful. @FPSD402

[Vicki Bates @LearnerVCBates]

Kinder scientists observing and recording the word today! Doing science is so much better than hearing about it.

[Vicki Bates @LearnerVCBates]

Grateful to our elementary teachers piloting OpenSciEd units. Our students have lots of question and the investigations are supporting their inquiry! ⁦Thanks @waOSPI⁩. ⁦@FPSD402⁩

[Vicki Bates @LearnerVCBates]

Rigor… collaboration… high support… intentionality… always in play in dual language! @waOSPI @FPSD402

[Vicki Bates @LearnerVCBates]

We had a great day hosting colleagues from ⁦@waOSPI⁩ and ⁦@AuburnSD - sharing the celebrations and learnings of our dual language program at Harvard Elementary! ⁦@FPSD402⁩

[Vicki Bates @LearnerVCBates]

In our department meeting today we built our knowledge of Black History - our history. Thanks to TOSA Kyanne Cook for leading! @FPSD402

[Vicki Bates @LearnerVCBates]

Secondary Honor Choir provided a wonderful performance for family and friends this afternoon! @FPSD402

[Paul Gorski @EquityLiteracy]

Problems that don't exist:
(1) children who don't want to learn
(2) a culture or mindset of poverty
(3) communities that don't value education
(4) educational disparities caused by an entire group's shortage of "grit."
Let's not use energy fixing problems that don't exist.

[Vicki Bates @LearnerVCBates]

I am so grateful and proud - our Dual Language teachers are top drawer! It’s Saturday and we’re learning at WABE’s Dual Language Institute! @FPSD402 @waOSPI

[Vicki Bates @LearnerVCBates]

Student choice and contributions were so evident in our dual language walks today! Our teachers are working so hard to provide an excellent experience for students. They are doing impressive work alongside their awesome coach @MsSebastin1 ! @FPSD402

[Vicki Bates @LearnerVCBates]

Essential.

[Kristin Song @kristinsong3]

My name is Kristin Song.

On January 31, 2018, my son Ethan was shot in the head in his best friend's house. The father/gun owner stored 3 handguns and ammunition in a shoebox. Ethan's friend had been accessing the guns for over 6 months.

At the hospital, the ER doctor slid down the wall, put his head in his hands, and whispered, "Your son is gone." At that instant, all I knew, loved and trusted was imploded into a million tiny pieces.

I begged to say goodbye to my beautiful boy. I wanted to kiss his forehead, tell him how cherished he was, and tuck him in one last time. But the doctor begged me to remember Ethan as he was, you see, he was unrecognizable even to my eyes.

The day before Thanksgiving in 2018, the prosecutor told me she would not charge the negligent gun owner, and if I wanted negligent gun owners to be held accountable, I would have to change the law.

So I did.

6 months later, Connecticut passed Ethan's Law, which requires gun owners to secure their weapons if children can gain access.

Then, I learned that so many states stood silent on this issue, so in 2019, I turned my attention to passing Ethan's Law nationally. I met with over 400 congressional offices, 130 of them Republican.

In 2022, Ethan's Law was passed in the House of Representatives as part of the Safer Communities Act. Sadly, it was not picked up in the final package.

When the Democrats lost the House of Representatives in 2023, I pivoted to passing safe gun storage laws in the States. As a result, Michigan, New Mexico, and Maryland passed safe storage laws.

Currently, I am working with 5 states to pass Ethan's Law.

I am emotionally and mentally exhausted, but I will not stop until there is a cultural shift in this country where it becomes second nature to secure your weapons around unsupervised children.

If you believe in protecting children from gun violence, please follow and repost.

[Vicki Bates @LearnerVCBates]

So proud of our teachers who will be featured in this upcoming January webinar. Supporting our educators of color is a priority for us. @FPSD402

[Vicki Bates @LearnerVCBates]

We’ve been waiting for this month to complete our ‘decades’ photo! It was a big year for us - this is our 40-50-60 picture! So lucky to work with these amazing human beings! @bbrown253 @FPSD402

[Be A King @BerniceKing]

Pulled this out…because #MLKDay is just around the corner.

[Vicki Bates @LearnerVCBates]

Teaching & Learning Services has a great time with families at Winterfest. Their input on our Student Portrait was inspiring. Our student volunteer helpers were awesome. @FPSD402

[Amelia Van Name Larson ☮️ CAO @ameliadgvl]

The 10 Most Significant Education Studies of 2023 https://t.co/Fwv0cORxbA

[Vicki Bates @LearnerVCBates]

I’m reminded this morning what hard work teaching is! Grateful for our teachers finding ways to engage and focus on students’ work to give them feedback that moves them forward.

[Vicki Bates @LearnerVCBates]

@SumnerSchools @wasa_oly @LaurieDent1 Congratulations, @LaurieDent1 !

[Vicki Bates @LearnerVCBates]

Thinking math classrooms bring me joy! The teacher-student and student-student conversations… yes!! @FPSD402