ESDW101 on education focusNorthEast Washington Educational Service District 101, Spokane, WA • Vol. 31, No 1 • Fall 2016 Teacher of the Year: Tim Larson, Odessa

If imitation is the highest form of flattery, Tim Larson has reached a higher level than most people will ever know. Just how high? High enough that other people have named their kids after him. Twice in his teaching career, parents have been so appreciative of the impact he had on their children that their next-born boys were given Timothy as a first or middle name. How do you top that for a high compliment? Recognition from colleagues is a good start. And if you are a teacher in the seven-county NEWESD 101 region, there is no higher honor than being named regional Teacher of the Year – the title Larson recently received for 2017. The veteran third grade teacher at Odessa Elementary School in the Odessa School District, wears that honor following his selection for the award in August. Larson, who is entering his ninth year at Odessa, started his career in a much larger district, Vancouver. Family ties (his wife Jill also is an Odessa teacher) eventually prompted a return to Eastern Washington, where the couple and their two children enjoy the close relationships and sense of community unique to small towns. Larson is a difference-maker. “Knowing every child can succeed, regardless of ability, is one of Tim’s greatest beliefs,” says Odessa Principal Jamie Nelson. “His attitude is infectious and his students all believe they can learn and achieve and are proud to show their documented growth.” Parent and fellow teacher Jeff Wehr calls Larson one of the finest teachers he has known in a nearly two-decade career – arriving early, working late, staying positive and mentoring stu- Tim Larson dents who “respond with incredible state exam scores and high expectations, both academically and socially.” Wehr knows of what he speaks. In 2011, he was the region’s Teacher of the Year. For Larson, success begins with relationships. Every child is known, not just by name, but by In Our Region: Odessa need. He understands their learning styles, meets them at their level and – critically – reassures all students they have his unconditional support. “Students can’t succeed if they are saddled with fear,” he says. “In Odessa, students know we care and want them to succeed. If someone falls out of the boat, they know we will turn around and pick them up.” Therein lies the kindness and empathy that are the foundation of Larson’s success – and the foundational qualities that describe a very deserving Teacher of the Year. Congratulations, Tim.

226 20 600 Dan Read students teachers sq. miles Superintendent ocus A time to teach f ...and a time to learn. as generally more accepting and appreciative of Focus is published during difference than I perceived once may have been true. the academic year by the The start of a school year always means a renewal Less judgmental, more understanding. Superintendent of NorthEast of teaching and learning, after a summer during which it is hoped that both were practiced, at least I see kids who want, and need, hope; who can have Washington Educational a bit. faith that their future will be filled with a promise Service District 101. Focus that matches the diligent work they are expected is published to provide This particular school year’s beginning, as is true to put forth to meet the high standards we have for current information about once every four years, coincides with a national them. NEWESD 101-sponsored (and state) election season. What a time, then, to and co-sponsored programs teach, and to learn, and to think and learn to think I see students who sincerely need educators who … in the context of things that really matter. can help them learn to think for themselves as they and issues of educational make sense of both fact and fiction with which significance to staff in the 59 At its base, an important goal of education in they are barraged; educators who can and will help public school districts and 45 this country is that learning and teaching result them make sense of the myriad challenges and state-approved private schools in informed citizens who are able to wisely make opportunities that pervade the interconnected world receiving administrative and work our history of self-government; that we are we all share. instructional support services able to implement democracy in a way that works for and improves the lives of all who are willing In an election season in which we are all exposed from NEWESD 101. to work hard and participate fully in our republic. to both the promise and the less savory parts of Comments, questions or self-rule, our students are well-served by a shared Elections, however, are different today than they suggestions should be sent to commitment to helping them learn not what to think, once were. Just as Barbara Oelberg has said that, the editor, NEWESD 101, but how to think through things that really matter; “children haven’t changed; childhood has,” so 4202 S. Regal St., Spokane, WA that will have potentially large or lasting impacts on it is true with elections in an electronic age of 99223, (509) 789-3540. their lives. pervasive social media, uses and abuses of the internet, and TV/cable/radio “news” that really When examples students see in the media or online Fall 2016 isn’t news. don’t always reflect the best of who we are,our Volume 31, Number 1 example and commitment as dedicated educators Hence, the opportunity to teach our students, and • becomes that much more significant. help them learn, that what is said, how it is said, Board of Directors whether it is true, matters. That intentions matter Now is a time to learn indeed. Thanks to all for Emmett Arndt … regarding treatment of people and commitment embracing the opportunity with which we are Kathy Bumgarner to working through the challenges that are part blessed, anew, to thoughtfully and meaningfully of compromise that might ultimately lead to teach … assuring our students will learn in the same Gary Coe addressing, even solving, difficult and important vein. J. Rand Lothspeich issues. Sally Pfeifer As one who began as a teacher many years ago, June Sine I see young people in our classrooms today Michael Dunn, Superintendent Lynn Trantow • Superintendent Early childhood PD … Michael Dunn Register now for professional development offered For information and registration: by NEWESD 101’s Center for Early Childhood www.esd101.net/Page/723 or contact Anne Knott, Education. Upcoming topics and dates: (509) 456-7086, [email protected]. Full-day Kindergarten: October 5 and 13; 8:30 … and more ESD101 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. Cost: $200. For the complete list of W fall workshops offered by 4202 S. Regal St., Early Numeracy (full-day workshops): October 3, Spokane, WA 99223 November 7, December 7; 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. NEWESD 101 – an expansive each day. Cost: $100 per day or $275 for all three. list covering the full spectrum of www.esd101.net teaching and learning – please Early Numeracy (evening workshops): October 18, see our Events catalog at November 8, December 6; 4:30 to 8 p.m. each day. http://tinyurl.com/esdcourses. Cost: $80 per day or $225 for all three.

NEWESD 101 complies with all federal and state regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to: ADA/Title IX Officer, Michelle Powers, 509.789.3504 * Section 504 Coordinator, Mick Miller, 509.789.3539 * 4202 S. Regal Street, Spokane, WA 99223.

NEWESD 101 • Focus on Education • Fall 2016 The Big Apple beckons

9/11emergency responders school. The next day, it’s off to New (day two). York. Immediate reactions of The trip will leave lasting memories, to joy were quickly tem- be sure, but more than that, it will leave pered by reality. Travel an enduring example of what is possible to New York for students when dreams meet action. An eagle figu- and chaperones would rine sits on Loucks’ desk with the saying, exceed $100,000. Loucks, “Strength, it is not in numbers, it’s in however, never flinched. singular determination.” He immediately devised a Loucks continually implores his students comprehensive fundraising to stretch themselves, reminding them and marketing plan. nothing is impossible with a great work It included the usual ethic, a commitment to excellence, and school staples – auctions, a “singular” determination to be one of craft fairs and car washes the best. th July 4 concert at Millwood Park. – but, even more signifi- Better yet, students should just follow cantly, major gifts from Once, when seeking television coverage their teacher’s example. Set the bar high. individuals and the business community. for his talented student musicians, a high Be persistent and be polite. Success will school band director was told he was the It all came naturally. Earlier in his career, follow. most persistent “non-TV personality” the you see, Loucks honed his marketing and Editor’s note: Jim Loucks was the 2010 producer had ever met. business skills as a professional music Teacher of the Year in the seven-county editor and publisher. It was a compliment. The producer appre- region served by NEWESD 101. For ciated that he was determined, but polite. The end result is a once-in-a-lifetime op- more information on the New York trip: Meet Jim Loucks, band director at West portunity for his students, many of whom [email protected]. Valley High School. Serious and thought- have never been on a plane. They will ful on the outside; bulldog determined perform before an estimated half-million on the inside. When it comes to his band spectators and take in as many historic kids at West Valley, there is no mountain sites and artistic events (including a he won’t climb and no ocean he won’t Broadway performance of Phantom of cross to increase student opportunity. the Opera) as Loucks can squeeze into a five-day trip. Take a trip to New York, for instance. Last year, Loucks submitted an applica- They will also honor America. Outside tion for the WV Band and Color Guard to the band room at WVHS are the pic- perform at the 2016 Veterans Day Parade, tures of family members who served our November 11, and Patriotic Concert in country. While in New York, students Times Square, November 12. will wear military inspired dog tags honoring their relatives and all who wore It was a long-shot from the get-go. The a uniform. 80-member unit was probably too small They will also learn and remember. to get a serious look from anyone in the Busy summer in East Valley Big Apple. Fifteen years have passed since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Upper-classmen were For a while this summer, the East Valley Undeterred, Loucks submitted an applica- too young to remember and under-class- School District administration building tion anyway. What he didn’t know at the men were not yet born. Yet by the time took on the look of an office supply time was that the New York organizers they return to Spokane, all will be famil- store – but only long enough to fill 1,000 were putting forth some extra effort of iar with that fateful day and its lasting backpacks with basic school supplies. their own. They found a video of the WV impact on the nation. Local service clubs and churches donated band on YouTube and were sufficiently the supplies, which were distributed in impressed. The fundraising drive has entered the home stretch (donations still welcome) late August at the district’s first-ever An acceptance letter came. West Valley and rehearsal has been under way for Back to School Fair. Fiscal staffers Raina was one of only 15 bands in the na- months. On November 7, the band will Havens and Melissa Lund helped fill the tion invited to the two events honoring provide a sneak preview of its New York backpacks, distributed to the district’s servicemen and women (day one) and program in a 7 p.m. concert at the high elementary students.

NEWESD 101 • Focus on Education • Fall 2016 New museum takes flight in Spokane

Enter Spokane’s new Honor Point Field, is Spokane’s newest mu- Military and Aerospace Museum and you seum, filling a niche left by the will experience something seldom seen closure of the Fairchild Heritage even at the famed Smithsonian. Museum more than a decade ago. The airplanes here are not retired shells, While still in the formative retrieved from the boneyard and restored stages, museum directors plan a only on the outside. substantial education program, initially targeting grades 4-8. No, at Honor Point, every historic plane on display is still flying. The exhibit is Educational events already have dynamic, as vintage planes can roll in begun and the museum has and out of the gallery/hangar on a weekly partnered with Seattle’s Museum This 1940 Boeing Stearman, shown here with owner basis. The museum also is unique in of Flight to acquire additional Larry Tobin, is part of the Honor Point exhibit. that it’s not just about airplanes. It’s also standards-based programs. about history and education. Former Reardan-Edwall Superintendent Doug Asbjornsen is a member of the museum Interactive exhibits and special programs board and the leader of its educational initiatives. allow students to explore a range of The museum is located at 6105 E. Rutter Ave. For information on upcoming Fall pro- STEM topics around themes of aviation grams, please visit www.honorpoint.org or contact Doug at [email protected]. and space. Honor Point, located at Felts

NEWESD 101 snapshots Beginning with this issue, our Focus newsletter will offer a and enjoyment in myriad forms of visual and performing arts. But, new feature … a snapshot of NEWESD 101 employees. because academics came first, most of her artistic interests were placed on hold after graduation from Lewis and Clark High School Virtually all NEWESD staff interact with local districts. and an undergraduate education at Seattle University. While relationships are typically strong, they also can be limited to small groups of district personnel in job-alike Seven years later, they returned with a passion. Fresh off a master’s categories. With this issue, we introduce others you may not degree from Gonzaga University, she dove into local, non-credit art know. classes to expand and refine her skills. NEWESD services run wide and deep – curriculum and Her first works included an expansive series of portraits featuring instruction, financial services, educational technology, African-American music legends Miles Davis, Etta James, Johnny administrative support and communications. Today, we Mathis, John Coltrane and others. For the Richland exhibit, she introduce some of our staff who make things happen for submitted a portrait of “The First Lady of Song,” Ella Fitzgerald. local districts. The tools of her trade include mostly graphite, acrylics and colored pencils. But her specialty is mixed-media – combinations The resident artist of material that create rich, layered, Stroll by the desk of Tracy Poindexter-Canton at three-dimensional pieces. To a blank NEWESD 101 and you will see personal artwork canvas she may add paint, scrapbook on the wall, not unlike many of her co-workers. paper, magazine clippings, bubble The difference, however, is that Poindexter- wrap, netting, even feathers and beads. Canton did not acquire her pieces at a store. She The possibilities extend as far as her created them herself. imagination. Outside of her job in NEWESD 101’s Center She appreciates bold colors and for Special Education, Poindexter-Canton is an impressionistic designs that value artist affiliated with the Gallery Onyx in Seattle’s the artist’s perception more than the Belltown neighborhood. Over the summer, she reproduction of exact details. was one of 22 artists featured in an Onyx regional She finds inspiration in little things, exhibit at the public library in Richland. powerful things, that stir her creativity While her artistic journey has not been … a photo, a song, a flower, a book. continuous, it may have been predictable. From that inspiration comes artistic Growing up in Spokane, she found early success magic. Just stroll by her desk to see it.

Tracy Poindexter-Canton

NEWESD 101 • Focus on Education • Fall 2016