Two Honored as First to Receive Educational Leadership Award

SPOKANE, Wash. — Washington State University, the Spokane Teachers Credit Union and Educational Service District 101 have established the Excellence in Leadership Award to recognize exemplary achievement by local school administrators. The first two recipients, Becky Cooke, of the Mead School District, and Jan Rust, of Spokane Public Schools, were honored last week with presentations at their workplaces and will be recognized at upcoming school board meetings by their districts.

Each year, six outstanding administrators will be honored with the new award.  Recipients will be selected by a committee that includes representatives from the three sponsors. Cooke serves as principal of Evergreen Elementary in the Mead district, and Rust is the executive director of evaluation, certification and training at Spokane Public Schools.

 “Spokane Teachers Credit Union is pleased to help sponsor the Excellence in Educational Leadership Award,” said Steve Dahlstrom, president and chief executive officer of STCU. “We applaud all those who choose a career in education and recognize that there is no worthier profession than that of helping students succeed. We congratulate the recipients of this award and wish them well as they continue to make a difference in the lives of children in our region. We thank them for their dedication and commitment to excellence in education.”

ESD 101 Superintendent Terry A. Munther said “I’m delighted that Becky and Jan were selected for the inaugural leadership award. Their service and leadership set a great example for administrators in all of the 59 districts in our ESD 101 region.”

Joan Kingrey, director of programs in education at WSU, said “We are pleased to partner with STCU and ESD 101 to recognize the significant contributions of school administrators. Our certification programs at WSU Spokane prepare principals, program administrators, and superintendents for the complex roles of leadership in today’s schools.  We know that effective educational leadership is essential to the process of school improvement and increasing academic achievement for all students.”

Nominees for the award must provide exemplary leadership in the schools and/or districts within the ESD 101 service area of northeastern Washington, contribute to a positive impact on students, and provide effective leadership in the school improvement process.

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

Becky Cooke
Principal, Evergreen Elementary, Mead School District

Becky Cooke, principal of Evergreen Elementary School in the Mead School District, was recognized for her ability to hold high standards for all students, raise achievement, and foster a strong sense of community among staff, students and parents.

Deb Drouin, a fourth-grade teacher at Evergreen, said in nominating her, “Dr. Cooke helped us realize our belief that all students are truly capable of learning at high levels, despite their circumstances.  With Dr. Cooke’s guidance, our individual strengths and differences were transformed into a collective professional synergy that proved good for our kids.”

Steve Enoch, superintendent of the Mead School District, added, “Because of Becky’s leadership, Evergreen Elementary School is a textbook example of how school reform should work. She represents the very best of our profession.”

Cooke received a doctor of education degree from Teachers College Columbia University in 2000 and a principal’s certification from Western Washington University. She has been the principal at Evergreen since 1996; prior to that she was the assistant principal for Mead Middle School.

Jan Rust
Executive Director of Evaluation, Certification and Training, Spokane Public Schools

Jan Rust, executive director of evaluation, certification and training at Spokane Public Schools, was nominated by the mentor teachers in the Career in Teaching Program, a program she created that ensures that each teacher new to the district receives the intentional support of a mentor. She also collaborated with the Spokane Education Association in the development of a professional growth plan for teachers that can substitute for the regular evaluation process, with teacher goals focused on the improvement of student learning.

In nominating her, the mentors wrote, “Jan is the driving force in reaching so many students through our work with individuals new to the profession.  She nurtures, informs, educates, prods and supports our group with wisdom and kindness. Clearly, Jan Rust helps us all to be the best we can possibly be.”

Nancy Stowell, associate superintendent for Teaching and Learning Services, said, “Jan is extremely deserving of any award that acknowledges her ability to lead in a way that directly impacts our children and their academic achievement.” Brian L. Benzel, superintendent of Spokane Public Schools, added, “Jan’s collaborative work with the Spokane Education Association, administrators and participants in the Careers in Teaching program is a superb example of our district’s focus on excellence in teaching.”

Rust received a master’s in language arts from Whitworth College in 1986 and a bachelor’s degree from Hastings College, and holds continuing elementary and secondary teaching certification and principal’s certification. She has held her position with Spokane Public Schools since 2001; prior to that she was the principal at Roosevelt Elementary and Pratt Elementary schools.

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’s degree in teaching for career-changing adults who received a bachelor’s degree in another field and wish to teach; and the doctor of education degree.

About Spokane Teachers Credit Union
Spokane Teachers Credit Union is the largest credit union in Eastern Washington, and the third largest credit union in Washington state with more than 70,000 members and more than $700 million in assets.  This year marks its 70^th anniversary serving the Spokane community. STCU currently operates eight branch locations, seven in Spokane County and one in Newport.

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 46 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