Four Local Educators Receive Excellence in Leadership Award

SPOKANE, Wash. – Four exceptional school administrators have been honored with the Excellence in Leadership Award sponsored by Washington State University, the Spokane Teachers Credit Union, and Educational Service District 101.

The 2006 recipients include: Suzanne Schmick, principal of Endicott Elementary and Middle School; Donna Burt, principal of Hamblen Elementary School; Michael Dunn, superintendent of Cheney School District; and John Custer, assistant principal at West Valley High School and principal of the district’s Eagle Academy.

Schmick, Burt and Dunn are all alumni of Washington State University. Dunn is currently a doctoral student in Educational Administration at WSU Spokane.

Each spring, the award is given to up to six people in the districts of Eastern Washington. It recognizes those who have shown outstanding leadership, positively impacted students, and effectively contributed to the school improvement process.

Suzanne Schmick was nominated by the staff of Endicott Elementary and Middle School, and was given the award in a surprise ceremony earlier this spring, which was a true community event. The staff, community patrons, board members, and teachers credit Schmick with “creating a climate where faculty and staff feel appreciated, supported, and empowered to help institute changes that lead to better educated students.”

Over the last fourteen years, Schmick’s actions and example have led the school to become a positive place for students to learn. She is described as “truly a leader as shown by her actions and example.”

Hamblen Elementary School principal Donna Burt, who received both her BA and MA from WSU, was nominated by the Hamblen community and described as “an advocate and friend.”

She is noted for always placing the needs of students first, making positive decisions, and creating opportunities for students and staff. The staff at Hamblen said of Burt, “Leaders inspire those they lead to be better than they thought they could be. Good leaders understand those they lead and guide them with an open spirit. All of these qualities are inherent in Donna Burt.”

Burt will leave behind a legacy of leadership and respect when she retires this year after 17 years at Hamblen.

Michael Dunn, the first superintendent in ESD 101 to be honored with this award, was nominated by those in the Cheney School District and given the award in an employee recognition ceremony earlier this year.

Dunn is honored for his dedication to the shared values and strategic initiatives of the district and his ability to keep the interests of students, staff, parents and the community at the forefront of his leadership. As noted by his nominators, he “simply supports and inspires people to give their best effort to the children, parents, and staff members they serve.”

Dunn is currently a doctoral student in Educational Administration at WSU, where he also earned his BA and Ed.M. Prior to becoming superintendent in Cheney, Dunn was an executive director for Spokane Public Schools.

Eagle Academy principal John Custer was awarded for his contributions to improving student learning, and his skills as a dynamic and motivational teacher.

Custer has been an assistant principal at West Valley High School for two years, and is recognized for his role in the dramatic reform efforts to restructure the school. He leads 26 staff members and 400 students at Eagle Academy. Custer’s nominators said, “His work to propel teaching and learning to a new level has been exemplary and innovative.”

Nomination forms for Excellence in Leadership Awards are available through the Web sites of WSU Spokane, STCU, and ESD 101. For information, contact Kelly LaGrutta, WSU Spokane, at lagrutta@wsu.edu or (509) 358-7942.

About WSU Spokane
WSU Spokane programs in education include program administrator certification; principal’s certification; superintendent’s credentials; a post-master’s school psychology certificate; student teaching placements; the master in teaching for career-changing adults who received a bachelor’s degree in another field and wish to teach; the master in education; and the doctor in education.

About Spokane Teachers Credit Union
Spokane Teachers Credit Union is the largest credit union in Eastern Washington, and the third largest credit union in the state, with more than 70,000 members and more than $700 million in assets. STCU operates ten branch locations, and a new branch is currently being constructed in Post Falls, Idaho.

About Educational Service District 101
ESD 101 is a district providing services to K-12 schools on a cooperative, regional basis. Services are offered to 59 public school districts and 45 state-approved private schools in Adams, Ferry, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens and Whitman counties.

Web sites:
–WSU Spokane Education Programs: www.education.spokane.wsu.edu
–Excellence in Leadership page: www.education.spokane.wsu.edu/excellence
–Spokane Teachers Credit Union: www.stcu.org
–Educational Service District 101: www.esd101.net

Donna Burt, principal of Hamblen Elementary School, receives her 2006 Excellence in Leadership Award from Kathleen Kozlowski (l), Spokane Teachers Credit Union and Joan Kingrey (r), director, College of Education programs, WSU Spokane.