WASA Honorary Awards

WASA annually honors and recognizes outstanding educational administrators and individuals in other professions who have made extraordinary contributions to K–12 education.

Based on the award type for which a person is nominated, the Committee will make the following considerations:

  • Could the nominee be considered a positive change agent in public education locally or at the state level?
  • Has the nominee positively affected one or more areas: Program development, staff morale, community support, student interest, learning environment, or general support for public education?
  • Has the nominee provided creative leadership in inspiring or motivating others to achieve or contribute to public education?
  • Has the nominee personally provided a special service or achieved above and beyond what is expected in the usual public school program?
  • Have others recognized the nominee as a force for constructive change in public education at the community and/or state level.

STATE AWARDS 

  • Golden Gavel Award. The recipient shall be an individual, group, association, or firm that has made an outstanding contribution to public education in the state of Washington. The contribution to education should have statewide application and be of lasting value. This award does not require current or past WASA membership. One recipient per year (award not necessarily given every year).
  • Barbara Mertens Legacy Award. Presented to an individual or group who has had a significant impact on public education in Washington—a legacy that has a lasting influence. The person or group does not have to be a member of WASA. The award comes with a $1,000 gift from D.A. Davidson & Company that is awarded to a school, foundation, or similar in the awardee's name and at his/her direction. One recipient per year (award not necessarily given every year). 
  • Service to WASA Award. The recipient shall have made contributions at the state level toward goals of WASA and shall not be a voting member of WASA. One recipient per year (award not necessarily given every year).
  • WASA Leadership Award. This award is presented to a selected WASA member who demonstrates and exemplifies outstanding leadership abilities and has made significant contributions to the field of education on a statewide level. Each region may nominate one individual from that region. The nominee must be a current member of WASA for a minimum of two years. One recipient per year.


REGION AWARDS  

  • WASA Student Achievement Leadership Award (one award per region). Recognizes innovative programs for the improvement of student achievement. This award is presented to select WASA members who have provided leadership for the implementation of an innovation that has resulted in measurable growth in student achievement. Ideally, the innovation can serve as a tool for modeling new programs. Each region shall nominate one individual. The nominee must be a current and active WASA member for a minimum of TWO years.
  • Award of Merit (one award per region). The recipient of this award shall have demonstrated effective leadership at the region level and have made a significant contribution to WASA through his/her work in the field of education in Washington. The nominee must be a current and active member of WASA for a minimum of THREE years.
  • Community Leadership Award. (WASA provides one plaque; additional plaques will be paid by region). This award is presented to community members or groups in recognition of their outstanding contributions toward education. Recipients are non-WASA members. Specific criteria includes: benefit to students, leadership, motivation, success, cooperation/coordination with local district, recognition by others, and history of service. One or more recipients per region, per year.
  • Twenty-Year Award (self-nomination). Recognizes individual’s years of service to education. This award shall be granted to any school administrator who has served as an administrator for 20 years in public school districts. The recipient must have been a member of WASA for TEN years.
  • Retirement Award (self-nomination). Honors service to the profession. The recipient must be retiring from his/her administrative responsibilities and no longer eligible for active WASA membership. The recipient must be a current member of WASA.

Awards History

2019 WASA Honorary Awards


WASA Recognizes Exemplary Educational Leaders at the 2019 WASA Summer Conference

Statewide Awards

Golden Gavel Award

To Be Announced on July 1, Honorary Awards Luncheon

Barbara Mertens Legacy Award

To Be Announced on July 1, Honorary Awards Luncheon

WASA Leadership Award

To Be Announced on July 1, Honorary Awards Luncheon

Service to WASA Award

To Be Announced on July 1, Honorary Awards Luncheon

2019 Region Awards
Award of Merit

Region 101                          Jerry McDermott, NEWESD 101
Region 105                          Henry Strom, Grandview School District
Region 108                          Dr. Jeff Drayer, Burlington-Edison School District
Region 108                          Dr. Mark Wenzel, Anacortes School District
Region 109                          Dr. Gary Cohn, Everett Public Schools
Region 112                          Doug Dearden, Trout Lake School District
Region 114                          David McVicker, Central Kitsap School District
Region 171                          Matt Charlton, Manson School District

WASA Student Achievement Leadership Award

Region 101                         Dr. Tom Rockefeller, Mead School District
Region 105                         Becky Imler, Wapato School District
Region 111                          Dr. Jennifer Bethman, Bethel School District
Region 112                          Bill Oman, Evergreen Public Schools (Vancouver)
Region 113                          Lisa Cadero-Smith, Yelm Community Schools
Region 171                          Steve McCullough, Tonasket School District

Twenty-Year Award
Region 101                         Dr. Michael Dunn, NEWESD 101
Region 101                         Douglas Matson, West Valley School District (Spokane)
Region 112                         Loy Dale, ESD 112
Region 112                         Scott Fenter, Ocean Beach School District
Region 112                         Michael Green, Woodland School District
Region 112                         Thomas Hagley, Vancouver Public Schools
Region 112                         Richard Hauan, Washington State Center for Deafness and Hearing Loss
Region 112                         Tim Merlino, ESD 112
Region 112                         Karla Schlosser, Vancouver Public Schools
Region 112                         Mary Beth Tack, Kelso School District
Region 112                         Dr. Ann Varkados, Centerville/Lyle School Districts
Region 113                         Dr. Pamela Farr, Shelton School District
Region 123                         Diane Hull, Bridgeport School District

Retirement Award
Region 101                           Jerome McDermott, NEWESD 101
Region 101                           Dr. Tom Rockefeller, Mead School District
Region 105                           Becky Imler, Wapato School District
Region 105                           Dr. Jack Irion, Yakima School District
Region 105                           Duane Lyons, Naches Valley School District
Region 105                           Gary Wargo, Cle Elum-Roslyn School District
Region 108                           Andy Muntz, Mukilteo School District
Region 109                           Ginnie Ayres, Monroe School District
Region 109                           Dr. Gary Cohn, Everett Public Schools
Region 109                           Dr. John Gebert, Lake Stevens School District
Region 109                           Linda Hall, Granite Falls School District
Region 109                           Dr. Cynthia Jones, Everett Public Schools
Region 109                           Dr. Michael Mack, Lakewood School District
Region 109                           Dr. Joyce Stewart, Everett Public Schools
Region 112                           Linda Allen, Battleground Public Schools
Region 112                           Doug Dearden, Trout Lake School District
Region 112                           Jim Mabbott, Castle Rock School District
Region 112                           Laurie Sundby, Battleground Public Schools
Region 113                           Mary Lou Bissett, Chehalis School District 
Region 113                           Nancy Faaren, Olympia School District
Region 113                           Dr. Pamela Farr, Shelton School District
Region 114                           Karst Brandma, South Kitsap School District
Region 114                           David McVicker, Central Kitsap School District
Region 114                           Jeff Sweeney, North Kitsap School District
Region 123                           Susan Bell, Touchet School District
Region 123                           Rick Puryear, Star/Richland School Districts
Region 123                           John Seaton, Paterson School District
Region 123                           Dr. Rick Schulte, Richland School District
Region 171                           Bill Motsenbocker, Cascade School District


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