Schools

Schools Superintendent Nelson Receives Regional Leadership Recognition

Enumclaw Schools Superintendent Mike Nelson is recognized by the Washington Association of School Administrators for his work in promoting student achievement throughout the district.

The may be small but great things are happening here. That's the message the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) conveyed Friday when it was announced that is this year's recipient of a WASA Student Achievement Leadership Award.

"This award represents a lot of hard work by many, many people," Nelson said in an email statement to Patch. "As a district we are attempting to make our mission to help and support all students achieve at their highest level a reality.  The strategies that we are implementing purposefully engage all staff members as well as our parents and community in helping us strive toward that mission.  I am very grateful to be a part of the Enumclaw School District!"

According to a news release from the school district, Nelson is the recipient of this award for Metro Region 110, which also includes other Puget Sound districts such as Auburn, Bellevue, Federal Way, Mercer Island, Renton, and even Seattle.

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Each WASA region presents one of these awards annually to a WASA member who has provided leadership for the implementation of an innovation that has resulted in measurable growth in student achievement. Nelson was instrumental in implementing the 4-pillar Head-Heart-Hands-Habit strategic plan and facilitating Professional Learning Communities that has changed the culture of the district and increased student achievement, the release said.  

He was also the driving force behind the implementation of all-day kindergarten and has supported community fundraising to continue the program when state fund sources were eliminated.  In the last two years, the K-12 math program has been redesigned and a renewed focus on literacy has been initiated. 

Find out what's happening in Enumclawwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

School Board member Nancy Merrill said, "Think of how he leads -- he's leading always with the whole child and then the whole district in mind. He's asking how do we reach each child to make their education as whole as possible, and how to we shape a district that supports that kind of energy around education? That's what makes him remarkable. He's just a fine human being." 

Puget Sound ESD Assistant Superintendent Janice Watson offered her well wishes as well. “Congratulations, Mike, on this well-deserved recognition of your creative, steady, clear-headed, and inspirational leadership for your students in Enumclaw and our region.”  

Nelson will be presented with his award at the WASA/AWSP Summer Conference in Spokane on June 27.


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