Shape school culture. Transform learning.

UCDS Graduate School of Education

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We invite you to watch and learn more.

You want to deepen your practice and passion for teaching and leading. You want to learn not just what to teach but how to teach. Our graduate students form a cohort of engaged educators who work to understand how school culture impacts student success and graduate ready to activate positive change in education.

Virtual Info Sessions & Tours

Join us to learn how you can transform your future.

General Virtual Info Sessions:
• April 4th; 12:00-1:00 pm
• April 9th; 6:00-7:00 pm
• April 23rd; 6:00-7:00 pm
Click the arrow to RSVP or to schedule a tour!

UCDS Teaching Fellowship

The UCDS Teaching Fellowship provides early-career and aspiring educators the opportunity to earn a Master of Education degree while immersed in a two-year teaching fellowship at an innovative independent school in Seattle, WA. The teaching environment allows fellows to directly apply what they are learning to the classroom setting. Fellows develop an understanding of how classroom and school culture impact learning and develop their reflective practice skills.

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Academics

"My professors and mentors help me to be more thoughtful about the questions I ask. They help me extend my thinking and that of my students."

Experience

"It's been exciting and eye-opening to make connections and parallels between my work experience and what I'm learning at school each week."

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Graduate Program 2

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

DEIB is a value that leads the design of the Graduate School of Education.

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Happy Nepalese New Year to all who celebrate! Know

Happy Nepalese New Year to all who celebrate! Known as Navavarsha or Naya Barsa, this joyous festival marks the beginning of the new year in the traditional lunar calendar, usually celebrated in mid-April. Across Nepal, people welcome the new year with joy—cleaning their homes, wearing new clothes, preparing special meals like sel roti and maasu bhaat, and visiting temples to light candles and offer prayers for peace and prosperity. Public celebrations include cultural parades, traditional music and dance, and community feasts. It’s a time for families to gather, reflect on the past year, and look forward with hope.

For those living outside of Nepal, the New Year holds deep emotional significance. It’s a chance to reconnect with their heritage, celebrate with their communities, and teach younger generations about Nepalese traditions. Whether in Nepal or abroad, the New Year is a beautiful celebration of culture, identity, and new beginnings.
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#ucdsseattle #ucdsalum #ucdsgse #nwais #psis #parentmap #peps #pnwfamily #pnwkids #rainierscholars #northseattle #seattle #familiesofcolorseattle #seattledad #seattlemom #seattleparents #seattlepreschool #seattlefamily #seattleindependentschool #seattlekids

Happy Passover to all who celebrate! Passover, or

Happy Passover to all who celebrate! Passover, or Pesach, is a Jewish holiday that begins tonight at sundown and celebrates the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt. It lasts seven or eight days, starting on the 15th of the Hebrew month of Nisan. A central tradition is the Seder, a ritual meal where the Exodus story is retold using a book called the Haggadah. Symbolic foods like matzah (unleavened bread) and bitter herbs are eaten. During the Seder, a piece of matzah called the afikomen is hidden for children to find later—a fun tradition symbolizing redemption. Passover is a time for reflection, freedom, family, and passing down stories through generations.

Allie Deitel, the PE teacher at our founding school, @ucds_seattle, would like to share her connections to Passover, past and present: “Passover is a time for family, reflection, and tradition. While the story of Passover is about our (the Jewish people’s) exodus from Egypt, it also serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for freedom and justice, inspiring reflection on contemporary issues of oppression and injustice and urging action toward a more just world. Each year, we remind ourselves that no one is free until everyone is free.

“Growing up, I spent most Passovers with my family and some of our family friends. One year, I made a Passover Seder plate to accompany our family’s traditional one, and I still have both today! During Passover, we’d work our way through a Seder led by my dad, eating foods such as matzo ball soup, gefilte fish, and my mom’s brisket, until we kids could excitedly search for the afikomen. Afterwards, the grown-ups would stay at the table chatting while the kids played with drums and toys in the basement.

“As an adult, I spend each year with Quynh, Elaine, their families, and a smattering of friends. We’ve created our own version of a Seder together, weaving skits and jokes as we remember and teach the kids the story of Passover. (We still eat all of the delicious foods, of course!) Now, I’m one of the grown-ups at the table after our meal, who gets to chat with friends and watch the kids play and hunt for the afikomen.”

Save the date: Wed., April. 23rd | 5:00-6:15pm PST

Save the date: Wed., April. 23rd | 5:00-6:15pm PST
• Elena Aguilar: Cultivating Emotional Resilience Needed for Equitable Schools
• RSVP at the link in bio
• Free and open to the public

UCDS is proud to partner with @pocisnorthwest and other local independent schools to bring you Elena Aguilar through the Equity & Inclusion Virtual Speaker Series. UCDS is part of a consortium of independent schools in the Seattle area that funds and organizes this series, which is open to everyone and is an exciting opportunity to hear from nationally recognized authors and speakers.

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In this virtual keynote, participants will learn how to use a number of strategies to cultivate the kind of emotional resilience needed to build equitable schools. Participants will anchor in their values and purpose, explore how to navigate uncomfortable emotions, and learn why emotional resilience is the missing element in most equity endeavors. Participants will recognize and appreciate the connection between cultivating their own resilience and building equitable schools, learn how to use simple strategies to cultivate their emotional resilience when building equitable schools, and understand the critical importance of emotional resilience when building equitable schools.

Elena Aguilar is an author, coach, and CEO. Elena Aguilar has worked in education since 1994. Her years of teaching, coaching, and leading teams in the Oakland, CA, public schools deeply inform the eight books she’s written and the trainings she designs and facilitates. Elena is committed to creating equitable schools and organizations where everyone thrives. She founded Bright Morning @brightmorningtm in 2017 to advance this vision.
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#ucdsseattle #ucdsalum #diversity #inclusion #equity #dei #abar #antiracism #antiracisteducation #antibias #antibiaseducation #diversityintheclassroom #education #representationmatters #inclusionmatters #parentmap #pnwfamily #pnwkids #northseattle #seattle #seattlefamily #seattlekids #seattleindependentschool #seattleschool #pocis #drgholdymuhammad

📝 Accepting M.Ed. Applications for Fall 2025

📝 Accepting M.Ed. Applications for Fall 2025

Curious about how a Master of Education can support your growth as an educator? Join us for an upcoming info session this April to learn more about the UCDS Graduate School of Education and our two-year program built for working teachers. We offer scholarships, matching funds, teaching fellowships, and flexible enrollment.

Upcoming Info Sessions (6–7pm PST):
• Wednesday, April 9
• Wednesday, April 23

Each session offers an overview of the program, a look at the application process, and time to ask questions. You’ll also meet members of our team and get a feel for how the M.Ed. program supports educators in deepening their practice and leadership.

Bonus: The $50 application fee is waived when you attend an info session.

Our small-by-design, cohort-based program brings together passionate educators to explore how learning environments, collaboration, and reflective practice shape great teaching. Designed with working professionals in mind, the program is both rigorous and adaptable to your schedule.

RSVP by visiting the link in our bio or email us at gse@ucds.org.
Can’t make one of these sessions? Reach out—we’re happy to connect 1:1.

We look forward to connecting with you!
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#ucdsinstitute #ucdsseattle #education #mastersdegree #masters #gradschool #teaching #teachereducation #seattle #seattleteachers #graduateschool #graduateschoollife #gradstudent #gradlife #academiclife #graduatestudent #nationaleducationassociation #nais #nwais #psis #centralwashingtonuniversity #easternwashingtonuniversity #WWU #seattlepacificuniversity #evergreenstatecollege #piercecollege #seattleuniversity #universityofwashington #seattlecolleges #bellevuecollege

Do you want to change your future? Come learn and

Do you want to change your future? Come learn and teach with us at UCDS! We have lots of opportunities open for the 2025-26 school year, including a Resident Teacher Program, Teaching Fellowship, M.Ed. Program, and more! Additionally, our Graduate School of Education offers opportunities for scholarships, professional-matching funds, and flexible-enrollment options. At UCDS, we can help you achieve your goals!

Interested in learning more? Visit our link in bio where you can explore our school, learn about what makes us unique, and apply for the 25-26 school year. We look forward to meeting you!
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#ucdsinstitute #ucdsseattle #education #mastersdegree #masters #gradschool #teaching #teachereducation #seattle #seattleteachers #graduateschool #graduateschoollife #gradstudent #gradlife #academiclife #graduatestudent #nationaleducationassociation #nais #nwais #psis #centralwashingtonuniversity #easternwashingtonuniversity #WWU #seattlepacificuniversity #evergreenstatecollege #piercecollege #seattleuniversity #universityofwashington #seattlecolleges #bellevuecollege

The UCDS Graduate School of Education is proud to

The UCDS Graduate School of Education is proud to celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV). Every year on March 31st, this event celebrates transgender and nonbinary individuals. It highlights their achievements while also drawing attention to the disproportionate levels of poverty, discrimination, and violence the community faces compared to cisgender (non-transgender) people.

Founded in 2009 by activist Rachel Crandall, TDOV was created to provide a positive recognition for trans people, as Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20th) focuses on honoring lives lost to violence. TDOV emphasizes empowerment, representation, and advocacy.

Visibility matters because representation fosters inclusivity, breaks stereotypes, and educates others. Seeing trans people in all fields inspires acceptance and support.

You can honor TDOV by:

Learning: Explore books, films, and stories about trans experiences.

Participating: Explore, join, participate in organizations like @glaad, @humanrightscampaign, and @pflag.

Listening: Support and amplify trans voices and perspectives.

Creating Inclusive Spaces: Learn and use gender-affirming language and policies.

Transgender Day of Visibility is a day of pride and inclusion. By supporting and celebrating trans individuals, we help create a world where everyone feels valued. Happy Transgender Day of Visibility!
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#TransDayOfVisibility #EveryoneIsWelcome #Seattle #transday #transrights #tdov
#education #mastersdegree #masters #gradschool #teaching #teachereducation

Eid Mubarak to all who celebrate! Eid al-Fitr begi

Eid Mubarak to all who celebrate! Eid al-Fitr begins today at sundown and is a joyous holiday, known as the “Festival of Breaking the Fast.” It marks the end of Ramadan, a sacred month of fasting, prayer, and reflection for Muslims around the world. The day begins with a special communal prayer at mosques or open spaces, followed by gatherings with family and friends to share festive meals and exchange gifts.

Acts of charity, such as Zakat al-Fitr, play a central role in the celebration, ensuring that those in need can also partake in the joy of Eid. People decorate their homes, wear new clothes, and prepare traditional foods such as sweet treats like baklava and sheer khurma and savory dishes such as biryani, kebabs, and samosas, depending on regional traditions. Beyond the feasting and festivities, Eid al-Fitr is a time for gratitude, forgiveness, and strengthening relationships. Many communities host public events and cultural celebrations, highlighting the rich diversity of Muslim traditions. At its heart, Eid is a celebration of unity, generosity, and shared joy.

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#seattle #seattlemuslims #education #teacherfollowteachers #education

Meet Susan Foley, one of our instructional faculty

Meet Susan Foley, one of our instructional faculty members for EDU 595: Inquiry in the Classroom. Susan has taught several classes at the UCDS Graduate School of Education while also teaching full-time at @ucds_seattle for nearly 30 years. After earning her undergraduate degree from @umass and M.Ed. from the @uofwa, she has spent her career modeling a culture of inquiry and growth mindset alongside students and colleagues.

In Susan's words: "I believe that kids are doing the best they can in every given moment. This is a belief that I wish I had in my earliest years as a teacher. This simple shift in understanding that kids who are behaving in ways that create challenges—for themselves and those around them—are still doing their best has fundamentally shifted my perspective. It helps me show up as their advocate, thinking constructively about how to support them in building the skills they need to grow. I value approaching challenges with optimism and including students in making plans that honors the skills they have while gradually building new ones."

Looking for inspiration? Susan recommends two @ted Talks:

• J. Stuart Ablon's "Rethinking Challenging Kids: Where There's a Skill, There's a Way," which "illustrated this theory for me in a clear and powerful way. It is critical that kids know teachers and parents are on their team and that we are all working together to help them grow and thrive as learners."

• Rita Pierson's "Every Kid Needs a Champion" also "articulates this idea well. I have watched her talk multiple times, and it continues to inspire and motivate me."
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#ucdsinstitute #ucdsseattle #ucdsalum #faculty #education #mastersdegree #masters #gradschool #teaching #teachereducation #seattle #seattleteachers #university #graduateschool #teacherscollege #graduateschoollife #gradstudent #gradlife #academiclife #graduatestudent #highereducation #nationaleducationassociation #nais #nwais #psis #uofwa #uofmass

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