ESDW101 on education focusNorthEast Washington Educational Service District 101, Spokane, WA • Vol. 30, No 1 • Fall 2015 Teacher of the Year Alecia McAdams-Sing: Nine Mile Falls S.D. Alecia McAdams-Sing knew at an early find a finer advocate for youth in our age that she wanted to be a teacher. community.” Years ago, as a student in the Mead For McAdams-Sing, teaching is about School District, she was the one teachers relationships. “I believe the profession often called on to assist other students of teaching is a high calling and sacred needing a hand. Teaching just seemed to trust,” she says. “The responsibility is an come naturally. honor and I take very seriously my duty to be a force for good in the lives of my Today, that natural affinity, polished by students.” National Board Certification and 16 years of professional teaching experience, has Since 1999, the Whitworth University moved her to a larger stage. graduate has been a force at Lakeside, with teaching assignments ranging ability to make students want to work McAdams-Sing, an English teacher at from freshman core English, to creative and think,” says Spencer. “I am proud to Lakeside High School in the Nine Mile writing to Advanced Placement English work with such an optimistic, motivated Falls School District, has been named the Composition. She also heads the National and intuitive instructor.” 2016 regional Teacher of the Year. Honor Society and Poetry Out Loud Teachers at Mead, years ago, correctly Colleagues and students alike hail her Club. observed special qualities in the talented content knowledge, enthusiasm and No matter the assignment, students count child willing to help her classmates. commitment to the personal success of on her for high energy, inspiration and Thanks, in part, to their encouragement, every student. mentoring. another generation is pursuing greatness “Students challenge themselves at Lakeside. She has a passion that inspires even academically because of her, they stay those who walk through her door without Now, as then, the teaching profession because of her and sometimes they come inspiration, says Lakeside Librarian remains a high calling and sacred trust. back because of her,” says Lakeside Angela Spencer. “She has an innate Congratulations, Alecia. Principal Brent Osborn. “You will not Arndt named to NEWESD 101 Board Emmett Arndt, a long-time administrator in Spokane area schools, has been named to the Board of Directors of NEWESD 101, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of Robert Bauer. Arndt is well known in local education circles following 31 years of service with Inland Northwest schools. His career included 20 years with Spokane Public Schools, 1987-2007, as a high school assistant princi- pal (nine years at North Central and Shadle Park), five years as principal of Shadle Park and six years as a district executive director. Prior to Spokane, he logged 11 years with the nearby Coeur d’Alene School District as a teacher, coach and assistant principal at the junior high and high school levels. The Spokane native holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Washington and is a former U.S. Army officer. Bauer, a resident of Colton, served 12 years on the board in two separate stints dating to 2002. Thank you, Robert. Welcome, Emmett. focus Focus is published during The Lessons of E Flo the academic year by the Superintendent of NorthEast Just two weeks after announcing he was taking It is well documented Washington Educational a leave of absence for health reasons, and that his list of Service District 101. Focus only shortly after the 2014-15 school year had accomplishments while is published to provide ended, Dr. Elson Floyd (photo), Washington leading Washington’s current information about State University’s 10th president, succumbed to land grant university colon cancer. is long. NEWESD 101-sponsored and co-sponsored programs As a new school year begins, it seems fitting These include and issues of educational that the story and example of this good man tripling the amount of significance to staff in the 59 and his incredible leadership be honored and research grants WSU public school districts and 45 that it, and he, serve as an inspiration and annually received state-approved private schools example for each of us in the work in which we (from $200 million to are engaged in service to the young people of $600 million); starting and completing a $1 billion receiving administrative and northeast Washington. capital campaign for the university; increasing the instructional support services university’s enrollment by 17% and growing its from NEWESD 101. Most people who knew or knew of this won- students of color profile from 14% to almost 27%; derful man know that he hailed from humble Comments, questions or opening a fourth branch campus in Everett; and beginnings in North Carolina, and became the suggestions should be sent to perhaps the crowning achievement of his tenure – first in his family to earn a college degree. By the editor, NEWESD 101, fostering bipartisan support for a bill that allows WSU age 28 he had earned a Ph.D. to open a medical school … that will appropriately 4202 S. Regal St., Spokane, WA His life story serves as an important reminder bear his name. 99223, (509) 789-3540. that simply because kids don’t come from af- Yet, great leader he was, he always understood that he fluence, they are still very smart with unlimited Fall 2015 stood on the shoulders of the giants who preceded and potential, and they need educators to believe Volume 30, Number 1 surrounded him, not allowing some inflated ego to in them, push them and, importantly, support • lead him to think he was bigger than the institution or them. As the year commences, thank you for those who had been or are a part of it. Board of Directors seeing and lifting up the “Elson Floyds” in your June Sine, Board Chair schools and classrooms. He knew, as wise leaders do, his charge was to be an excellent steward of the university and to help it Emmett Arndt In a very successful career in academia and progress, assuring he would leave it better than he Kathy Bumgarner higher education, Dr. Floyd held numerous found it, and prepared to take the next step forward leadership positions, including the presidencies Gary Coe once he left. of Western Michigan University, the University J. Rand Lothspeich of Missouri and, from 2007 until his passing A man from humble beginnings in life who rose to Sally Pfeifer in June, Washington State University. Each arguably the top of his profession, he never lost his university was fortunate to have him; WSU humility, or his deeply held commitment to serving Lynn Trantow particularly so. students and the region and state in the best way he • and the university could. Superintendent When the daughter of some friends of ours was Michael Dunn moving into her dorm as a freshman in 2007, As we begin a new school year, let’s do as his exam- Dr. Floyd carried boxes for her to her dorm ple taught us – nurture the talents and dreams of every room … and it was only later that she and her young person in our care; do so with unfailing resolve parents found out he was the new president. and commitment even when the challenges are great; and carry ourselves with humility and grace at every His style was approachable, especially with ESDW101 turn. E Flo will be missed; his example and impact the students he served – he never forgot that 4202 S. Regal St., will live on. it is students who are the central reason for a Spokane, WA 99223 university’s existence, and must always be the www.esd101.net focus of a leader’s work. Little wonder that students loved “E Flo,” the nickname given him by students at Missouri. Michael Dunn, Superintendent 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 2015 Bow ties and bat wings ... NEWESD’s Da Vinci Code Here’s one that might stump even the great Robert Langdon, One prominent theory holds that the hourglasses are not fictional hero in Dan Brown’s best-selling book and big-screen hourglasses at all. They’re bow ties. blockbuster, The Da Vinci Code. Yes, bow ties. One KHQ legend says the symbols represented the Langdon, a master sleuth in deciphering ancient codes and bow ties worn by prominent NBC-TV personalities in the early symbols, would be tasked with this … translate the meaning 60s. But, when the ornaments were glued to the wall, someone of the cryptic symbols that reside at 4202 South Regal, the allegedly left imprecise instructions for the work crew, which current home of NEWESD 101; the former home of KHQ-TV. attached them wrong-side up. The symbols, around eight While the legend attributes it to an honest mistake, it’s an inches high, are found at the error that begs an obvious question … if a mistake was front entrance of the building.