Rich Lumley: Attorney, Smith Alling PS, showcases how critical thinking is imperative to the practice of the law. Critical thinking is connected to research, writing, and negotiating which come into play during his work. Lumley also discusses empathy and why that is important in an adversarial system. He encourages people to spend time with people who are different from themselves to have a better understanding of how to approach situations.
Sheryl Harmer: Author and Artist, highlights the skills of empathy and perspective taking. This helps someone connect to different people and places. Using an example from the Seattle Art Museum, she explains how she has learned about her own self and emotions by examining the art of others. This connection to social and emotional learning, she believes, is essential to a functioning democracy.
Benjamin Fong: Seattle-based Teaching Professor and Honors Faculty Fellow, Arizona State University, discusses the role of a professional editor in amplifying and clarifying the message of others, especially at a time when public and political discourse seems to value bad-faith interpretations of others’ communication. Fong discusses this in the context of his work curating a set of historical articles and contemporary commentary by and about Bayard Ruston, a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement.
Matt Dehr: Lead Meteorologist, Department of Natural Resources, shares his passionate belief in the importance of science in civic life. Dehr uses the revitalization of the Indigenous practice of proscribed burns for wildfire prevention as one example of how people with a diverse range of expertise collaborate to care for the people of the state. He goes on to advocate for the importance of belief in incremental progress in both scientific advancement and social change.
Tana Senn: Secretary, Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), explains how passing legislation is an important civic skill. She showcases how impactful passing legislation can be on the entire state, acknowledging that getting support from multiple types of stakeholders can be challenging but also really important. Being engaged in the legislative process can demonstrate how impactful civics really are to the community.
Derek Bradfield Nguyen: Director of Marketing & Communications, Washington State Historical Society, explains that visual storytelling allows people to see how connected communities are. By using examples from the Washington State History Museum, Nguyen shows how different perspectives and visual representations are used to tell a complete story; video allows people to have a voice.
James Nau: History Teacher, Lakeside School, speaks to the ways in which teaching demands an ability to foster connections with others. As one of the organizers of this project, Nau comments on the connections between teaching, civic life, and collaboration in community. In particular, he emphasizes the ways that teaching provides opportunities to introduce students to both the systems of our society and the tools that enable them to connect and contribute.
Riley Irish: Health Equity Lead Organizer, WSU Medical School, points to how civic action begins with people seeing something around them that they want to change. They share their passion for community organizing, from building leadership from within communities, developing interventions, moving into action by partnering with the people who can collaborate to get things done, and finally reflecting on the efficacy of the process.
Annette Heide-Jessen: Small Business Owner, KaffeeklatschCoffee shop owner and entrepreneur Annette Heide-Jessen speaks to the role of a small business owner in civic life. In addition to providing a community gathering space in her coffee shop and bakery, Heide-Jessen provides connections for neighbors and support for others who aspire to start their own businesses. In particular, she speaks to the importance of listening, using your voice, and developing “the courage to go out there and talk to people.”
Daniel Garcia: Community Programs Specialist, City of Tacoma, explains how his work in the arts and culture vitality division of the City of Tacoma requires collaboration and person to person communication. This civic engagement skill allows Garcia to strengthen connections between different community members. Using an example of how he brought people together to increase arts in Tacoma, Garcia showcases how being curious and listening to others can be powerful tools in creating community.