Daffodil Valley Elementary school teacher Michelle Nazelrod has been selected to join the State Network of Educators (SNE). From over 350 applicants statewide, SNE consists of 92 educators charged with the task of designing and developing resources for transitioning to the new Common Core state standards. Washington’s SNE will be joined by other educators and school administrators from the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, which includes 25 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“I’m thrilled to have been selected and feel lucky to work for a principal, district and staff that support innovative work,” said Nazelrod. “This project is the first of its kind bringing educators from across the Smarter Balanced States together to create a digital library which will be research and evidence based. It will provide districts and educators with access to formative assessments and tools. I’m in the beginning stages of SNE training and look forward to the year of collaborative work ahead!”

SNE projects will include development of the Smarter Balanced Digital Library, which is expected to be completed by the middle of next year. The library will consist of resources and support for teaching math and language arts.

SNE members are chosen for their expertise in fields such as: the Common Core State Standards, science, social studies, general education, students with disabilities, and formative assessment. Formative assessment is the practice of assessing student learning at the time of instruction and adjusting the curriculum accordingly.

Participation in SNE is one way for educators to participate in the Smarter Balanced Assessment system. Other opportunities, such as field testing, can be explored online at the Office of the Superintendent’s website.