Teach with TVW

Yesterday was the grand opening of the newly remodeled Pritchard Building on the Capitol Campus in Olympia. On Thursday afternoon, Governor Bob Ferguson, Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck, and other top state officials (alongside TVW!) attended the ribbon cutting ceremony. Lt. Gov. Heck gave a speech about the late Joel Pritchard, who in addition to serving in the Washington State Legislature and as Lt. Governor, served in the U.S. House of Representatives and is widely credited with inventing pickleball. Heck gave a special shoutout to Pritchard’s support in passing the legislation that allowed TVW to film governmental processes, showcasing his passion for preserving the historical actions of the Washington government for posterity. The Pritchard Building was originally constructed in 1958 and was used as the Washington State Library until the Nisqually earthquake in 2001. This remodeled building will pair historic preservation with innovative ideas for the future.

How do you know which judge to vote for when they appear on your ballot? On November 3rd, Washingtonians will vote for 5 Washington Supreme Court Justices. Unlike other offices, judicial elections in Washington are strictly non-partisan, meaning that judicial candidates can not affiliate themselves with a political party. So, how can voters find information about these candidates? On Monday, the prospective justices will participate in a forum at the Downtown Olympia Rotary Club at 5:30 PM, which will be streamed live by TVW. This will be followed by another candidate forum on Wednesday, September 30th at 4:00 PM. You can watch these discussions at these links: MONDAY https://lnkd.in/ggBupB5F WEDNESDAY https://lnkd.in/g-xHvu6X

RECOUNT ALERT! Weeks after Washingtonians voted in the primaries, the results in the 42nd Legislative District are yet to be finalized. Two Democratic candidates, one of whom will advance to the general election in November, are neck and neck in the race. After the initial count, Michael Shepard leads Eamonn Collins by just 4 votes. Two Democratic candidates are separated by just 4 votes, which triggers an automatic hand recount. This is one of the closest elections in state history. We spoke with Mary Hall in 2024 to better understand what exactly happens during a hand recount (and how to fill out a ballot correctly).  Recount begins: Tuesday, August 25th.  Livestream the recount on the auditors website: https://lnkd.in/g7DYbwYC Follow along to learn more about Washington elections, government, and politics. #TeachwithTVW #WASenate #Washingtonprimaries #Senaterace #2026elections #handrecounts #civics #civiceducation #waleg

In most of America, your chosen political party defines your choices in the primary. In Washington, this is not the case! Washington’s Top 2 Primary is an outlier designed to disrupt traditional political control. It was built to: 🔹 Prioritize individual candidates over party loyalty 🔹Encourage campaigns to appeal to the broader electorate, not just the base 🔹 Ensure the general election reflects the actual will of the voters This system places the burden of civic engagement directly on the voter. It requires you to look past party labels and evaluate individual candidates early in the cycle. The result? A more nuanced democracy, but one that demands higher participation. The primary is where the race is often won. Don’t outsource your political voice to a party platform. 🗓️ Reminder: Mark your calendar for the August primary. Research your candidates before the field narrows. 🔗 Click the link to watch the whole history of why we have the top two primary in Washington: https://lnkd.in/gf-BFKUM #PublicPolicy #WashingtonState #CivicDuty #VoterEducation #Government #TopTwoPrimary #Leadership #CommunityEngagement

Happy 4th of July! As we celebrate Independence Day, we're reminded that our nation's history is built on the voices and participation of each generation. This student letter from Washington's 1976 Bicentennial offers a small glimpse into that legacy. As we approach America250, we're celebrating not only our shared history, but also the civic curiosity and engagement that will shape the next chapter. From everyone at Teach with TVW, have a safe and meaningful Independence Day. #4thOfJuly #America250 #CivicEducation #TeachWithTVW #HistoryMatters #WashingtonHistory

Real questions. Real history. As we conclude this chapter of the Kid Letters series, we're reminded that civic engagement often begins with a simple question. Written during America's Bicentennial in 1976, these letters capture students' perspectives on education, transportation, government, taxes, the economy, and the future. Governor Dan Evans responded thoughtfully, demonstrating the value of listening to young people and encouraging civic participation. As we approach America's 250th anniversary, these preserved exchanges continue to inspire meaningful conversations about citizenship and public service. 📖 Explore the Kid Letters featured in this series and revisit the conversations that continue to resonate today. Thank you to the Washington State Archives for preserving these remarkable documents and partnering with Teach with TVW to share their stories. #KidLetters #TeachWithTVW #America250 #WashingtonStateArchives #CivicEducation #WashingtonHistory #StudentVoice #Democracy #PublicHistory #Archives #Education

📬 KID LETTERS | Case File #006 As America celebrated its Bicentennial in 1976, Puyallup student Lori Strait wrote Governor Dan Evans to express concern about the construction of a new freeway through her community and the loss of valuable agricultural land. Governor Evans took her concerns seriously, responding with a thoughtful explanation of the complex decisions involved in building public infrastructure. His letter highlighted the importance of balancing transportation needs, economic opportunity, and the impact on local communities. Nearly 50 years later, Lori's letter reminds us that questions about growth, land use, and public investment continue to shape conversations across Washington. 📬 Kid Letters is a Teach with TVW series produced in partnership with the Washington State Archives, revisiting real letters written by Washington students during the 1976 Bicentennial as we approach America's 250th anniversary. These conversations remind us that civic engagement begins by asking thoughtful questions. #KidLetters #TeachWithTVW #America250 #WashingtonStateArchives #WashingtonHistory #CivicEducation #StudentVoice #Infrastructure #Transportation #PublicPolicy #CommunityPlanning #CivicEngagement

📬 KID LETTERS | Case File #005: Teresa In 1976, during America's Bicentennial year, 14-year-old Teresa wrote Governor Dan Evans expressing concern about the economy, higher education, and what the future might hold for her generation. She didn't just share her worries; she asked how she could help. Governor Evans' thoughtful response encouraged Teresa to stay engaged, focus on her education, and remember that every generation faces challenges while building on the lessons of those who came before. Through Kid Letters, Teach with TVW and the Washington State Archives are revisiting historical correspondence between Washington students and elected leaders to highlight the enduring importance of civic participation and student voice. As we approach America's 250th anniversary, Teresa's letter reminds us that young people have always cared deeply about the future of their communities and their country. 📂 Presented in partnership with the Washington State Archives. #KidLetters #TeachWithTVW #America250 #WashingtonStateArchives #CivicEducation #StudentVoice #WashingtonHistory #YouthEngagement #Education #Democracy #CivicEngagement

We're proud to see our Head of Civics Education & Development, Corey Paulson, featured in the University of Washington School of Law's “Neither Sword Nor Purse” symposium. At Teach with TVW, we believe civic education starts with helping students ask thoughtful questions and better understand the institutions that shape our democracy. Thank you to the University of Washington School of Law for bringing together voices committed to strengthening civic understanding. #CivicsEducation #RuleOfLaw #TeachWithTVW

📬 KID LETTERS | Case File #004: Robert Nick 🌲 Washington's Department of Ecology was the first state-level environmental agency in the nation. In 1976, during America's Bicentennial year, student Robert Nick wrote Governor Dan Evans asking what he considered his greatest contribution as governor. Governor Evans highlighted environmental stewardship, including the creation of the Department of Ecology and efforts to preserve Washington's public lands for future generations. Nearly 50 years later, those decisions continue to shape how Washington protects its natural resources. Through Kid Letters, Teach with TVW and the Washington State Archives are revisiting historical correspondence between students and elected leaders to explore the civic questions that help tell Washington's story. 📂 Presented in partnership with the Washington State Archives. #KidLetters #TeachWithTVW #America250 #WashingtonStateArchives #DepartmentOfEcology #EnvironmentalStewardship #WashingtonHistory #PublicService #CivicEducation #StudentVoice #Democracy #CivicEngagement