WASA
News Release
Olympia, WA
360.943.5717
For Immediate Release
November 21, 2008
360.943.5717
slarson@wasa-oly.org
2009 WASHINGTON STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE
YEAR HONOR AWARDED TO
MARK JOHNSON, NOOKSACK VALLEY SCHOOL
DISTRICT
OLYMPIA, Washington—Mark Johnson, superintendent, Nooksack
Valley School District, was selected as Washington State’s 2009
Superintendent of the Year by the Washington Association of School
Administrators (WASA). The announcement was made today in Spokane at
the association’s annual superintendent’s meeting.
Johnson will represent Washington in the National
Superintendent of the Year Program, which is sponsored by the American
Association of School Administrators (AASA) and ARAMARK Education. In
February, the 2009 National Superintendent of the Year will be announced
and recognized along with the four state finalists at the AASA National
Conference on Education in San
Francisco, CA.
“I have been blessed, and continue to be blessed, to work for
and with a dedicated, passionate, and talented school board, leadership
team, and staff,” Johnson said. “Individual honors such as
these are really a tribute to the outstanding Nooksack Valley team that I have the
privilege of working alongside each and every day.”
Over the past 15 years, Johnson has been the superintendent in the
Nooksack Valley School
District. His leadership, dedication, and
commitment have been important attributes towards the success of
everyone involved within the district. Student achievement across the
district continues to improve. Schools and principals have been
recognized for their accomplishments and leadership, and the district
has also been awarded numerous grants and opportunities such as a
District Gates Foundation Grant in 2002, a Gates High School Grant in
2007, and, most recently, a District Leadership in Early Childhood Gates
Foundation Grant.
“I have watched Mark roll up his sleeves and transform a small
rural school district with many challenges into a district that is
recognized as a model for the rest of our state,” said Sandy
Austin, assistant superintendent in the Nooksack Valley School District.
“There is no doubt in my mind that Mark’s unwavering
commitment to and belief in staff, his persistent focus on teaching and
learning, his commitment to community partnerships, and his vast and
ever-expanding knowledge and skill will accomplish the district’s
mission of ensuring the success of all children.”
Johnson, who received his masters in education from Eastern Washington University and did his post-graduate work in
education at the University of
Washington, is currently an
instructor for the Washington State Leadership Academy. He is an active member
with American Association of School Administrators, Association for
Supervision and Curriculum Development, and Washington Association of
School Administrators. He is also actively involved with Opportunity
Council/Center for Children and Families Partnership, Executive Coaching
for the Gates Foundation, and a board member for both Whatcom Community
and Family Network and Whatcom County Communities in School.
The Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) is a
statewide professional association representing 1,600 members including
superintendents, central office administrators, and building principals.
WASA is committed to leadership in providing equity and excellence in
student learning, and leadership in developing competent, ethical, and
visionary leaders.
|
