Washington Teacher Advisory Council (WATAC)

WATAC is a network of over 250 award-winning educators from across the state. The network is made up of alumni teachers, Classified School Employees of the Year, and state finalists and national awardees for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. They aim to inform education decisions and influence policy, promoting equity and excellence for all.

WATAC is led by a leadership team focused on promoting educator voice on social media and other public forums, providing opportunities for members to grow their skills as advocates, and building partnerships with other educational stakeholders.

WATAC Member Commitments

Individual WATAC members speak, write, and train on behalf of the education profession. Each year they complete hundreds of speeches, workshops, trainings, and blogs. Members also meet with local, state, and national decision-makers to inform education policy.

WATAC hosts several social media campaigns, sends members to represent educator voice on workgroups, promotes educator participation in town halls and similar events, and organizes an annual spring leadership conference.

Funding

WATAC is a project of OSPI and is funded with a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Although OSPI staffs the project, WATAC members speak with independent voices. Their opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints do not necessarily reflect, nor are they influenced by, the State Superintendent or staff at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.