iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Julie Letchner @julieletchner.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Noticed the closure talk in recent SPS press? I’ve been considering how to evaluate closures: What details shape savings estimates? What’s required to keep closed buildings from abandonment? What can families advocate for? Let's learn from 2024 and be ready! www.julieletchner.com/passing-note...

julieletchner.com

Before Closures, SPS Needs to Show its Work — Julie Letchner

With school closure announcements likely coming soon, I’m sharing a guide to evaluating closure proposals. How should we think about savings? What happens to the buildings? To families?

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Julie Letchner @julieletchner.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

I met some SEA folks at tonight’s No Hate in WA State campaign kickoff! Talking about the upcoming teachers union bargaining while supporting the fight against the anti-LGBTQIA+ initiatives…that’s a good evening in my book!

Three women stand in front of an empty stage set for a “no hate in WA state” rally. Julie is on the right.

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Reposted by Julie Letchner

The Bulletin @thebulletinsea.org · 17/06/2026

Her op-ed is a powerful validation of @julieletchner.bsky.social's four-part series on SPS's deeply flawed middle school ELA curriculum -- and district admins' crackdown preventing teachers from assigning whole books:

thebulletinsea.org

Issue 32 -- Excerpts over excellence: How Seattle Public Schools is preventing middle school teachers from teaching full-length books

The SPS 6-8 ELA curriculum doesn't include full books. Teachers are getting in trouble for teaching them anyway. How did we get here?

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Julie Letchner @julieletchner.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

It's not just crusty old parents like me who think students should be reading more books. The students themselves think so, too! Lincoln sophomore Alice Prokop makes the case in her op-ed in the Seattle Times today. 📚🙏 www.seattletimes.com/education-la...

seattletimes.com

Students need more books, not fewer

Students are rarely required to read full books anymore, leaving them unprepared for the future, Student Voices contributor Alice Prokop writes.

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Julie Letchner @julieletchner.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Don’t forget the systemic state underfunding!

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Julie Letchner @julieletchner.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

I'm on City Cast Seattle talking about my latest article! Come for the scoop on why some middle school teachers are disciplined for teaching full books, and what they're doing instead; stay for the follow-on segment (not mine) about Seattle's nude beach. 📚+🏖️=😎 seattle.citycast.fm/podcasts/tea...

Headshots of podcast host Jane C. Hu and guests Julie Letchner, Guy Oron, and Melissa Santos against a teal green City Cast Seattle background. The episode's title is across the top ("Teachers Sneak Full Length Books Into Class, Nude Beach Verdict Forthcoming, and Banh Mi Bracket Results")

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Reposted by Julie Letchner

Emily M. Bender @emilymbender.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

I have been working on societal impacts of language technology since late 2016, and my nightmare example since pretty early on has been using automatic transcription in emergency services systems. And today I learn it's happening *in my own city* www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news... Short 🧵>>

seattletimes.com

Seattle uses AI to help triage, divert 911 medical calls

The Seattle Fire Department started using AI technology during live 911 calls in 2023. There hasn't been any public review process.

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Julie Letchner @julieletchner.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

I had such fun volunteering again at Sacajawea's annual field day on Friday! Playing with the kids, catching up with teachers & neighbors...it's the best! Joyous chaos.

Kids play cornhole on the Sacajawea elementary playground, with Julie cheering and managing the game in the background.

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Julie Letchner @julieletchner.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

LGBTQ+ students & students from unsafe homes deserve to feel safe seeking help at school. All girls--trans and cis--deserve to play sports without harassment. This isn't complicated.

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Reposted by Julie Letchner

Beth Day @thebethocracy.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

@julieletchner.bsky.social Talking about her article for @thebulletinsea.org about how whole books have disappeared from middle school ELA curriculum. Also offensive texts/exercises. GO JULIE!

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Julie Letchner @julieletchner.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Did you know that the SPS 6-8 English curriculum doesn’t include full books?! It’s only short texts—many prejudiced—and teachers are reprimanded for deviating. SPS chose materials they could pay for with tech money. 🥴 Sound gross? It gets worse. More here: thebulletinsea.org/issue-32-exc...

thebulletinsea.org

Issue 32 -- Excerpts over excellence: How Seattle Public Schools is preventing middle school teachers from teaching full-length books

The SPS 6-8 ELA curriculum doesn't include full books. Teachers are getting in trouble for teaching them anyway. How did we get here?

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Julie Letchner @julieletchner.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Up at 6am to bake 60 scones to add to yesterday's 72 brownies for teacher appreciation week. Support our public school teachers (and their union)!

Julie (white woman in her 40's) stands in a kitchen holding two trays of freshly-baked scones.

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