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“Markers” of the end of summer…
Enjoy the last of summer. If we are to believe the retail stores, school is already starting! It seems that right after the Fourth of July, school supplies find their way onto the racks at every store. This creates a unique mix of emotions for educators as we begin the countdown to the first days of school.
The Journey of an Educator
Within our halls, we see the full spectrum of professional life, each stage bringing a vital energy to our mission.
For our young teachers, this is a time of highly anticipated opportunity. It is the moment to put that hard-earned degree to work and influence young people with optimism and hope for a bright future.
For the mid-career teacher, it is a time to refine the craft. They look to differentiate for all learners who have mastered the school routine. These educators are achieving a high level of performance while still seeking ways to "sharpen the saw" in the years ahead.
For our most tenured staff, it is a time to smile, knowing they have seen almost every version of a student come through their classroom. They bring a calm and confident approach to their work; in many cases, they now teach the children of the students they once taught.
A Collective Mission
We are more than just a collection of individuals; we are a community. Our coaches chase the dream of championships while building character, teaching life lessons, and providing support through the rough times. We supplement this with our committed support staff, who feed our students, assist those with disabilities, and support parents whenever they call on us.
When we put all these people in the same building, we call it a school. Our varied expertise and personalities allow us to connect with all students and ensure they enjoy the learning environment. We build cognitive connections, but we build relational ones as well.
Reflections on Year 38
After thirteen years of this journey, we hope to see our students walk across the stage ready for the world and its ever-changing landscape.
As I head into my 38th year, I find myself boiling my philosophy down to a simple priority: keeping students and caring staff around one another as much as possible. Our goal is to create a school where every student finds something or someone in their day that makes them glad they are part of the Willamina School District.
While it seems education is more politicized than ever before, what keeps me centered is the young lives we get to shape every day.
With gratitude,
Mike Gass
Superintendent
Willamina School District
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