We are WASA

We are WASA is a portion of our weekly Turn2 message, designed to help us stay connected and focused. Each edition features a We Are WASA member spotlight, where we ask a different member each week about what is motivating them at this time. The aim of We are WASA is to keep us all connected, keep us motivated, and reflect on our reason for doing this work. Take some time to explore some of our highlighted members below!

Meet Ralph Watkins
Superintendent, Wahkiakum School District

How do you celebrate success?
"I celebrate student and educator success stories by creating opportunities for them to share their achievements with the whole community. I believe this has to be done intentionally and should be built into how we operate as a school to ensure there is a process for celebrating our success and telling our story. I personally make it a point to acknowledge individual accomplishments publicly, whether through community events, special announcements, or personal notes of appreciation, so everyone feels valued and inspired."

Read the rest here. February 3, 2026

Meet Sonia Nicholson
Executive Director of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and Multilingual Services, Federal Way Public Schools

What Gives You Hope?
"What gives me hope is watching students light up when they feel seen, valued, and supported for who they are. When systems are built with students’ strengths at the center, real possibilities open up. FWPS launching Washington State’s first Korean two-way dual language program is one example of this work in action, where students grow in biliteracy and families feel welcomed as true partners. These moments remind us that hope is not abstract, it is built through intentional systems, strong relationships, and a shared belief in what students can become."

Read the rest here. January 20, 2026

Meet Michelle Kuss-Cybula
Superintendent, Oak Harbor Public Schools

What Gives You Hope?
"When things get difficult—unfunded mandates, appeal hearings, funding uncertainty—it’s easy to lose sight of my why. But hope shows up in the moments that matter: a student in a Life Skills classroom cracking a joke with a communication device, a struggling freshman passing all their classes, a transitional kindergartner beaming because they can read my badge. These small victories remind me that I do this work for our students. And when our staff and community lean into hard things together, we grow stronger. That shared purpose is my why and my hope."

Read the rest here. January 6, 2026

Meet William Jackson, Ed. D.
Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, Bellevue School District

What Gives You Hope?
"Our Bellevue School District educators and support staff! All roles involved in ensuring students are loved, cared for, and encouraged to succeed. From our transit operators, custodial staff, classroom teachers, instructional assistants to school and district leaders. It truly gives me hope observing how everyone is working tirelessly to create the conditions for engagement, learning, and student success!"

Read the rest here. December 9, 2025

Meet Janell Ephraim
Assistant Superintendent, Vancouver Public Schools

What Gives You Hope?
"What gives me hope is seeing our VPS community grow stronger through every challenge by living our core values of safety, community, integrity, equity, love of learning, and belonging. I see it in so many places. I see it in the way educators collaborate with our Family-Community Resource Centers to ensure families’ basic needs are met, and in the way our administrators lead with intentionality, compassion, and love. Every day, students, staff, families, and community partners choose to learn, adapt, and lift one another up. This collective resilience affirms that we are, and will continue to be, a compassionate and courageous community that prioritizes the student experience. My hope for our students and the community we serve is truly deep and unwavering." 

Read the rest here. November 25, 2025

Meet Alexa Allman
Superintendent, Deer Park School District

What Gives You Hope?
"Our students give me hope. They are actively involved, engaged, and care deeply for community and each other; they’re driven to try new things and want to make our schools and communities better." 

Read the rest here. November 12, 2025

Meet Mira Gobel
Assistant Superintendent of Schools & Student Supports, Pasco School District

What Gives You Hope?
"What gives me hope right now is witnessing school principals lean into the complexity of leadership, choosing to focus on the right work when the world around us feels consumed by being right. Their courage, resilience, and clarity fuel the teacher agency, which in turn ignites student agency. That ripple effect is powerful and deeply human." 

Read the rest here. October 28, 2025

Meet John Sander
Executive Director Teaching and Learning Services, Franklin Pierce School District

What Gives You Hope?
"What gives me hope about the future of our schools is the belief in every student’s potential and the dedication of educators who nurture it. I see hope in our focus on inclusion and collaboration, and most of all in our students and their resilience, creativity, and capacity to build a more just, compassionate, and innovative world."

Read the rest here. October 14, 2025

Meet Eric Sobotta
Superintendent, Rearden School District

How do you celebrate success?
" Celebrating students and educators is one of the BEST parts of being a superintendent. In addition to regular academic/athletic/activity awards for students, our school board has implemented "Reardan Rising" awards for students who increase their grades in at least two of their classes between quarter and semester. Also, we have "Reardan Promise" awards for staff every semester. These awards are really special because you are nominated by peers for different categories: Elementary Teacher, Secondary Teacher, Para, District Support, and Administration. Recognized staff exemplify our Reardan Promise: 'We promise to be ALL IN on ensuring that every student is Known, Loved, and Learning.'"

Read the rest here. February 10, 2026

Meet Kris Hagel
Chief Information Officer, Peninsula School District

How do you celebrate success?
"We get a lot of recognition for our work around AI, but what's easy for me is that I'm really just the messenger. The real work happens in classrooms and offices across our district every day. Our staff and students have done such amazing things over the past couple of years that we built a dedicated website—psd401.ai—just to share their stories. I've become the storyteller, and honestly, it's one of the most rewarding parts of my job. These hardworking educators deserve the recognition."

Read the rest here. January 27, 2026

Meet Andra Maughan
Director of Student Services & Special Education, Tukwila School District

What Gives You Hope?
"This can honestly feel hard to see at times because this work is challenging and the impact isn’t always immediate. But staying the course matters, and the small moments of progress, the little bits of sunshine we see, reminds me that meaningful change is happening."

Read the rest here. January 13, 2026

Meet Kevin Alfano
Superintendent, Fife Public Schools

What Gives You Hope?
"I'm committed to serving the Fife/Milton communities as I've done for over 28 years now. What gives me hope right now is seeing educators and students lean into collective work, especially our growing PLC practices and watching teams use data not as a judgment, but as a tool for improvement." 

Read the rest here. December 16, 2025

Meet Jacob Kuper
Assistant Superintendent of Finance, Yakima School District

What Gives You Hope?
"I have been a school district CFO and financial consultant for schools for nearly 25 years, and though the financial situation for many school districts is the most challenging it has ever been, there is still room for optimism. Currently, across the state of Washington I am seeing a renewed sense of urgency and action from our district leaders as it relates to finances and student achievement. District administrators and Boards are “walking towards the danger,” and making difficult decisions every day that better their organizations and improve student achievement." 

Read the rest here. December 2, 2025

Meet Dr. Tracey L. Edou
Superintendent, Cascade School District

What Gives You Hope?
"Students always give me hope. It’s a joy to witness their growth both academically and personally. For example, every time I see one of our students, he radiates kindness and confidence. It’s moments like these that remind me how fortunate I am to live and serve in a community that nurtures childhoods while also preparing students for the future." 

Read the rest here. November 18, 2025

Meet Alicen Gaytley
Director of Teaching & Learning, Quincy School District

What Gives You Hope?
"I find hope in how we are tackling complex strategic priorities, from improving math instruction to refining standards-based grading practices. With AI as a planning partner, we are connecting our systems and streamlining processes so we can move faster and more collaboratively. This allows our staff to focus on building meaningful relationships with students and delivering higher-quality instruction." 

Read the rest here. November 4, 2025

Meet Beth Porter
Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources, Snoqualmie Valley School District

What Gives You Hope?
"What gives me hope right now is seeing our creative, innovative, and curious staff supporting students in meaningful ways every day. Their dedication and willingness to try new ideas remind me how strong our learning community is. We love celebrating success — for students, that means sharing their stories through videos, podcasts, and social media. For staff, we highlight their great work on our website, in our weekly newsletter, and in an annual mailer that showcases the incredible things happening across the district. It’s inspiring to see our community lift one another up."

Read the rest here. October 21, 2025