2026 Communities of Practice Programs
Cultivating Leadership Communities for Educator Retention & Thriving
What is an educator diversity leadership community? A space for thriving, created by diverse educators for diverse educators.
Join PSESD for a three-session community of practice for district teams to learn about and begin designing their own leadership community.
Federal Way Public Schools (FWPS) has developed an innovative approach to cultivate the conditions for thriving. Now beginning their sixth cohort, the Educator of Color Leadership Community (ECLC) meets monthly to build community and learn from identity-affirming and healing-centered practices. Participants develop leadership skills and find the experience cup-filling. How can your district create leadership communities for educators to thrive?
HOW: Inspire, Equip, Co-Design
- Learn from a case study, Q&A with FWPS
- Conduct a district self-assessment
- Engage with a cross-district and ESD support squad
- Design a partnership prototype and action plan
- Adapt your own communications launch pack
WHO: Eight District Teams
- Three to six participants per team
- Leaders engaged in workforce diversity
- BIPOC educators, allies, and youth leaders
WHEN:
- Thursday, Feb. 26 10:00am–12:00pm via Zoom
- Thursday March 12 1:00–3:00pm via Zoom
- Tuesday, May 5 12:00–3:00pm at PSESD
Register by Friday, February 13
- $800 per team or $1,000 with coaching
- Scholarships available
For additional questions, contact Eileen Yoshina at eyoshina@psesd.org
Resources
Building Youth Partnerships to Strengthen Educator Pathways
Why can youth partnerships support workforce development?
Students thrive when they see themselves in their teachers. When they don’t, they feel the disconnect. Both experiences make youth powerful partners in strengthening educator pathways, retention, and instructional practice, all key conditions for student success.
Join PSESD for a three-session community of practice for district teams to learn about and begin designing their own youth partnerships for a diverse educator workforce.
Highline Public Schools (HPS) is tapping into the potential of partnering with youth to strengthen educator pathways, retention and instructional practice. Through the Freedom Dreaming Fellowship, youth reimagine teaching, learning, and educator pathways. Their ideas shape district programs and practices. How might your district engage youth for stronger educator pathways?
HOW: Inspire, Equip, Co-Design
- A case study and Q&A with HPS
- Conduct a district self-assessment
- Engage with a cross-district and ESD support squad
- Design a partnership prototype and action plan
- Adapt your own communications launch pack
WHO: Eight District Teams
- Three to six participants per team
- Leaders engaged in workforce diversity
- BIPOC educators and youth-trusted adults
- Youth leaders
WHEN:
- Tuesday, March 3 10:00am–12:00pm via Zoom
- Thursday, March 19 10:00am–12:00pm via Zoom
- Thursday, May 14 12:00–3:00pm at PSESD
Register by Friday, February 13
- $800 per team or $1,000 with coaching
- Scholarships available
For additional questions, contact Eileen Yoshina at eyoshina@psesd.org
Resources
Measurement Systems to Support a Thriving Educator Workforce
Why will changing measurement practices support workforce health?
Thriving educators experience community, agency, abundance, joy, and self-care. These qualities are essential to creating and sustaining culturally responsive schools. To build work environments where all educators can flourish, we need better ways to measure and support thriving.
Join PSESD for a three-session community of practice for district teams to reimagine measurement for thriving.
A recent landscape analysis of ten Pacific Northwest school districts illuminated bright spots in measurement practices and collective opportunities to improve. How might your district strengthen data practices to support a diverse and thriving educator ecosystem?
HOW: Inspire, Equip, Co-Design
- Discuss and learn from a regional landscape analysis
- Conduct a district self-assessment
- Engage with a cross-district and ESD support squad
- Design innovative measures, benchmarks and a district action plan
- Adapt your own communications launch pack
WHO: Eight District Teams
- Three to six participants per team
- Leaders engaged in workforce diversity, teaching,
- and learning
- BIPOC educators, district storytellers, data analysts, and youth leaders
WHEN:
- Thursday, March 5 1:00–3:00pm via Zoom
- Thursday April 28 1:00–3:00pm via Zoom
- Wednesday, May 20 12:00–3:00pm at PSESD
Register by Friday, February 13
- $800 per team or $1,000 with coaching
- Scholarships available
For additional questions, contact Eileen Yoshina at eyoshina@psesd.org