WASA News Release - 2006 Winter Scholarship

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WASA
News Release
Olympia, Washington	360/943-5717


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 26, 2006	CONTACT:	Amy Riggs 360/943-5717 ariggs@wasa-oly.org
Spokane Public School’s Irene Gonzales awarded scholarship to support studies in administrative leadership in education

OLYMPIA, Washington – Ms. Irene Gonzales, executive director for teaching and learning in the Spokane Public Schools, is the recipient of the third annual Dr. Doyle E. Winter Scholarship for Administrative Leadership in Education. The scholarship is awarded by the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) and Seattle-Northwest Securities Corporation (SNW). SNW Vice President Jon Gores and WASA President Carol Whitehead (superintendent, Everett Public Schools) presented the award to Ms. Gonzales at today’s WASA Awards Luncheon in Spokane. The luncheon was part of the annual AWSP/WASA Summer Conference for school administrators, which is jointly sponsored by WASA and the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP). The conference began on Sunday and runs through Tuesday, June 27. The selection committee was impressed by Ms. Gonzales’ commitment to students, her strong focus on learning, and excitement about the role of instructional leadership in addressing and surmounting today’s educational challenges. In speaking to what she feels are the most important characteristics of an educational leader, Ms. Gonzales wrote, “An educational leader must be able to look forward and plan for the future with an end in mind to prepare all students to succeed in a democratic society. In order to accomplish this, a leader must have a big heart and recognize that all learners who come to us are not the same; thus, we may need to use different teaching strategies and techniques to help all students achieve.” Upon learning of her selection, Ms. Gonzales commented, “I am very honored to be the recipient of the Doyle E. Winter Scholarship. Dr. Winter represented the hard work and dedication of all professional educators across the state. I will continue his work and dedication by helping others now and in the future. I am proud to accept an award that carries his name and an award that helps me reach a life time goal of completing my doctorate. I wish to thank the Seattle-Northwest Securities Corporation and WASA for this honor.” Gonzales is participating in the educational doctorate program at Washington State University. She earned her master’s degree from the University of Oregon and her bachelor’s degree from Washington State University. The Winter Scholarship is designed to assist talented and committed educational administrators as they enhance those skills needed to serve as educational leaders in the field of public education. Seattle-Northwest Securities Corp. and WASA recognize the need to support and encourage educational administrators to advance their administrative leadership skills in the field of education as the demands placed upon school administrators intensify as they work to meet the challenges and celebrate the successes implementing new state graduation requirements and changes imposed by the No Child Left Behind legislation. Through this scholarship, $1,000 is awarded to a Washington school administrator who is in or will begin a doctoral program in education in the year the award is presented. It was established in honor of Dr. Doyle Winter, who retired in 2002 after completing 44 years of service for Washington public schools. Dr. Winter is a former executive director of WASA and has been recognized repeatedly for exhibiting exemplary leadership ability and enhancing school administration throughout his career. About the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) The Washington Association of School Administrators is committed to the development of quality education through professional leadership. Members benefit from a supportive community of professional leaders working to provide insightful and valuable training, support and resources to education leaders, and to sustain a positive impact on legislative and community leaders. With more than 1,600 members, membership is open to all education administrators in central office, building managements and educational agency positions. A not-for profit organization, WASA is funded by membership dues and association events. To learn more, visit the Association’s Web site at www.wasa-oly.org. About the Seattle-Northwest Securities Corporation Seattle-Northwest Securities Corporation (SNW) is an investment banking firm offering tax-exempt and taxable bond underwriting services, securities trading and distribution to clients located throughout the United States. Since 1970, SNW has assisted local school districts with the implementation of bond sales and management of debt service funds. # # # # # Ed. Note: WASA web site - www.wasa-oly.org Seattle-Northwest Securities Corporation – www.seattlenorthwest.com