6/05/08

Awards for leadership given to educators, community members

by Beckye Randall

Region 109 of the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) recently honored outstanding educators and individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to public education. At a May 15 banquet at the Everett Golf and Country Club, award recipients from Arlington, Marysville and Lakewood school districts were recognized along with educators from other Snohomish and Island County districts.

School districts in the region each present one Student Achievement Leadership Award to an individual or group who has provided leadership for an innovation that resulted in measurable growth in student achievement levels.

For local districts, recipients of the Student Achievement Leadership Award were Brett Sarver, Arlington High School Career/Technical Education Director; Katie Waldrop, a 5th grade teacher at Cougar Creek Elementary in the Lakewood School District; and Gail Miller, Assistant Superintendent of the Marysville School District.

The Community Leadership Award, also limited to one per district, is presented to community members or groups in recognition of their contribution toward education.

Earning the award from local schools was Kristy Ewell of Arlington, Tara Mizell of Lakewood and JJ Frank of Marysville.

In addition, WASA recognizes a regional winner for the Student Achievement Leadership Award, which was presented to Gail Miller, Marysville’s assistant superintendent.

She was recognized in part for her presentations, in conjunction with Capital Projects Director John Bingham, explaining Marysville’s smaller learning communities instructional models along with the construction and architectural design of three major facilities projects. Among other international honors, Miller has been invited to present the Getchell High School design and instructional program at the National School Environments Conference in London this summer. In addition, her leadership has brought national attention to the district’s focus on instructional coaching and creating students who are successful, critical thinkers.

Noteworthy achievements by award recipients:

Student Achievement Leadership Awards

Brett Sarver, Arlington School District

• Started one of the nation’s first Microsoft Network Certification programs at the high school level;
• Implemented and secured funding for a Manufacturing Engineering program, raising around $60,000 for equipment and software;
• Acted as an effective liaison between the schools and local industry professionals, providing relevant and applicable career training for students

Katie Waldrop, Lakewood School District

• Led a teacher committee that redesigned extended learning programs, creating Cougar Academies.
• The Academies provide additional time and opportunities for students to meet learning standards in specific skill areas such as literacy and math.
• The learning model also offers a rich and collaborative professional development opportunity for teachers.
• Waldrop was recognized for her “vision, passion, persistence and dedication.”

Gail Miller, Marysville School District

• Manages a large span of responsibility that encompasses the Teaching and Learning department, supervision of high schools, a middle school and several elementary schools, special education, and relations with the Tulalip Tribes.
• Helped transform Marysville-Pilchuck High School into smaller learning communities (SLCs) with distinct identities.
• Known as an excellent listener and thinker who leads others thoughtfully and with respect.

Community Leadership Awards

Kristy Ewell, Arlington School District

• A parent volunteer, Ewell has taken on a variety of roles in the classroom, interacting with students and helping with special events.
• Serves on the Arlington Public Schools Advisory Council for Education.
• Involved in PTA, Booster Club, music and drama programs at AHS.

Tara Mizell, Lakewood School District

• Has led the Lakewood Sports Booster Club to a new level of sponsorship for youth athletic programs.
• Under her leadership, the Booster Club has tripled its membership, received 501(c)(3) status, tripled fundraising revenues, and given over $25,000 in support of athletic programs last year.
• Mizell’s efforts helped ensure the successful passage of two levies this school year.

JJ Frank, Marysville School District

• Frank created the Minority Achievers Program (MAP) at area YMCAs.
• Partnered with the schools’ English Language Learner program to increase participation in MAP for Russian and Ukranian refugee students.
• Makes sure students interact regularly with positive young adult role models who have encountered and are overcoming the same cultural challenges the MAP students face.