Teach with TVW

Call Directions Website Contact the organization

Teach with TVW Visit teachwithtvw.org to learn more. Showing the next generation that democracy is a participatory exercise is paramount to what we do at Teach With TVW.

Teach with TVW is a FREE online resource provided by TVW consisting of two civics programs for WA Social Studies Teachers engaging students with their state government to make a difference. Teach with TVW Mission

Many citizens in Washington State feel that they do not have a voice in their government or understand how to engage with it. We provide the next generation with the tools to be active in the legislative process. Our free, hands-on civics programs create a rich and immersive learning experience by involving students in the actual legislative process.

10/13/2026

Candidate debates are a time-honored political tradition in the United States, and an important tool for voter education. We spoke with Joyce Taylor–a longtime news anchor and frequent debate moderator on KING5–about why debates are an essential part of the election cycle.

Last Wednesday, two Washingtonians went head to head over the war in Iran, Donald Trump, public transportation and more. Marie Gleusenkamp Perez (D) and John Braun (R) are running to represent Washington’s third Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives–a race that has the possibility of deciding the balance of power in Congress and has attracted nation-wide attention. Gleusenkamp Perez is running to represent CD 3 for the third time, having beat Joe Kent in 2022 and again in 2024. Braun is also no stranger to public service. He is currently in his fourth term as a state senator in Washington’s 20th Legislative District. The candidates will face off again tonight at 5:30 PM. You can watch the debate live on KATU.

Debate bingo cards are available at the link in our bio, along with footage of the debate. Play with classmates, friends, teachers, or yourself!

10/12/2026

It’s Indigenous Peoples Day! Each year on the second Monday of October, this holiday honors and recognizes the crucial role that Indigenous communities have played in our state since time immemorial.

This clip explains the Treaty of Medicine Creek (1854) and the enduring sovereignty of indigenous communities. You can watch the full documentary on teachwithtvw.org.

10/08/2026

This week, Teach with TVW is highlighting Initiative IL26-638: S*x Verification Requirements for Female School Sports. The official summary of the initiative says:

“This measure would require policies prohibiting students it defines as “biologically male” from competing with or against female students in certain interschool athletic activities that are intended for female students only. Students who choose to participate in such activities must provide a statement from the student’s healthcare provider verifying the student’s biological s*x, based on reproductive anatomy, genetic makeup, or normal endogenously produced testosterone levels. These requirements would apply to individual or team athletic competitions.”

We have included the "yes" and "no" positions on this initiative from TVW’s Video Voters’ Guide. You can also watch Teach with TVW’s Initiative Process video, which is linked below. Finally, be sure to check out our most recent Substack post: “What in the world is an initiative?”!

Next week, we will be talking about another important facet of the election process: candidate debates. Follow to keep learning!

Teach with TVW's Initiative Process Video: https://youtu.be/ThWOOV0RruY

10/04/2026

Our Civics Skill highlight this week comes from Kyle Boyd, the Vice President of Fan Development at the Seattle Kraken. Boyd spoke with our team about the power of sport and the skills he uses to bring his community together. Watch his full interview at the link in our bio!

Be sure to root for the Kraken in their season opener game against the Calgary Flames tonight at 5 PM!

10/02/2026

Washingtonians have loved our initiative process for over 100 years, and this year we will have three initiatives: I-001, I-638, and I-645. Teach with TVW will be highlighting each initiative to prepare you for November 3rd.

This week, we are highlighting IL26-001: The Washington Parental Right to Review Education Materials, Receive Notifications, and Opt Out of S*xual-Health Education Initiative. The official summary of the initiative from the Attorney General of Washington states:

“This measure would re-enact RCW 28A.605.005 as it was originally enacted in Initiative to the Legislature 2081. The re-enacted law would list certain rights of parents and guardians of public-school children, including rights to review materials and student records, receive certain notifications, and opt students out of certain activities. It would repeal amendments to the statute, which modified school obligations and access to certain student records and added certain parental rights.”

We have included information from Ms. Paulson about the initiative process, the official summary of the initiative from the Attorney General of Washington, along with arguments for and against the initiative from (tag TVW) Video Voters’ Guide.

For further information, be sure to read our “What in the world is an initiative?” article on Substack. Link in our bio! Check back next week to learn about I-638.

10/01/2026

Today, Ms. Paulson had the opportunity to speak about the connections between history and civics at the annual luncheon benefitting History Link, Washington’s online encyclopedia of state history. Be sure to check out this amazing resource!

09/29/2026

We all know that voting is a crucial part of civic engagement, but how else can ordinary people get involved with our democracy?

This summer, Teach with TVW partnered with the Puget Sound Curriculum Co-op to help answer that question. We interviewed over 25 professionals from the Seattle/Tacoma area to learn how Washingtonians demonstrate civic engagement in their careers and why this civic engagement matters for our country and our state. This election season, Teach with TVW will highlight one civics skill every week until election day,showing you how civic engagement can extend beyond your ballot.

Our first highlight comes from Melissa Davis, Deputy Opinion Editor at The Seattle Times. Davis spoke with us about writing an op-ed and the importance of the First Amendment right to freedom of the press. Check out the full series at the link in our bio!

Yesterday was the grand opening of the newly remodeled Pritchard Building on the Capitol Campus in Olympia. On Thursday ...
09/25/2026

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.

09/23/2026

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 livestreams and/or check out Teach with TVW’s full Judicial Elections video at the link in our bio!

Teachers! It’s that time of year again: time to register for our 2027 Capitol Classroom Program! This is a unique intera...
09/21/2026

Teachers! It’s that time of year again: time to register for our 2027 Capitol Classroom Program! This is a unique interactive experience for middle and high school students to learn about Washington state’s legislative process. Classes will partner with a volunteer lobbyist who will help them choose bills to track, update them bi-weekly about their bills, provide them with opportunities to testify in front of the legislature, and give them a front-row seat to our democracy in action.

This year, we are introducing our Capitol Classroom Lite program for teachers who are interested in Capitol Classroom but may not have the time to commit to bi-weekly meetings. Capitol Classroom Lite features a total of 3 meetings with your volunteer lobbyist, during which they will provide students with a more general overview of and updates from the Legislative Session.

Interested? Click the link in our bio to register for this 100% FREE program, or participate in our drop-in Q&A session on Thursday, September 24th from 3pm-4pm. You can find the zoom link on our website: teachwithtvw.org!

Address

1058 Capitol Way South
Olympia, WA
98501

Telephone

+13605295310

Website

, ,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Teach with TVW posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Teach with TVW:

Shortcuts

Share

Category