Quick Hits (7.5.12)

Building relationships. The Seattle teachers union is taking a different approach that relies more on collaboration and less on confrontation, says the new president. Education Sector took an in-depth look at a similar union-district partnership in Providence, R.I., and earlier this year, leaders there shared their lessons learned. (The Seattle Times)

PTSD from the classroom? Experts say educators in tough schools—like this Chicago teacher who was attacked by her students—are at more of a risk for post-traumatic stress disorder than most think. (Chicago Tribune)

Teachers’ thoughts on evaluations. Some Kansas City teachers say value-added evaluations would place too much emphasis on factors that are outside of their control, like the transiency of low-income children. Education Sector analysts found similar responses to this and other topics in a teacher survey set to be released July 10. For now, see Elena Silva preview the key findings in this video. (The Kansas City Star)

“No need to be scared of snakes; they’re not all the same. You can’t change who they are; snakes are born this way.” Second-graders at a charter school in Massachusetts create a Lady Gaga parody that showcases their new knowledge of snakes. (YouTube)