News Release
May 14, 2008
For more information:
Mary Waggoner, 425-385-4049
Grant Clark, WASA, 360-943-5717
Everett's curriculum director named "Most Effective Administrator"
Terry Edwards has responsibility for the curriculum in Everett Public Schools. Because of the work he has done to improve the
district's graduation rate, align curriculum, and provide resources and training to meet teacher needs, he is one of three school
district administrators named
Most Effective Administrator
in the state of Washington for 2008.
Edwards learned of this honor and received the award at the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) state
conference on Monday, May 5. Each year WASA presents three awards to district administrators, based upon district size
categories.
Edwards and the two other recipients were selected on the basis of how each is actualizing nine characteristics of high
performing schools and districts. These characteristics are based upon research of what works to support student learning and
teacher instruction. These nine characteristics start with a unified vision, and if enacted effectively, result in more students
succeeding in school.
In the nomination of Edwards for the award, Superintendent Carol Whitehead wrote, "Starting with a passion for EACH
student's successful on-time graduation, Terry has strategically built six years of programs and systems supporting the
district's mission of each student learning to high standards. First came a data system to measure progress; then the change
from site-based curriculum to centrally standardized curriculum. Simultaneously came district support so schools could meet
high expectations and pressures of change. Highly effective subject-area coaches, staff development and budget flexibility
help inspire further improvements. Terry's brilliance is in his ability to see and enact the parts that must be in place in specific
sequence so district instruction and operation impact each student's learning positively."
Milestone achievements under Edwards'watch include the district's graduation rate which has jumped from just 55 percent for
the class of 2003 to 79.6 percent for the class of 2007. The district's WASL tests for 2007 exceeded the state's average in
every category at every grade.
Upon receiving the award, Edwards said, "An award like this is really not an individual honor but a reflection of the team of
administrators, teachers and educational staff that I have had the opportunity to work with. I have been very fortunate to work
in a great school district with a supportive board, an exemplary superintendent and outstanding colleagues. I would like to
thank Pemco, WASA, and most of all, friends and colleagues in the Everett School District."
Edwards shares this honor and splits the $10,000 award with University Place School District Superintendent Patti Banks and
Jeff Peck, an elementary school principal from Lake Chelan School District. Edwards and Banks were selected from
nominations representing the state's large districts (of 2,000 or more students); Peck was among nominees from medium-
sized districts (from 501-2000 students).
In its seventh year, the WASA/PEMCO Robert J. Handy Most Effective Administrator Awards seek to recognize outstanding
public school administrators in Washingtonstate. Robert J. Handy, the awards'namesake, founded the PEMCO Life Insurance
Company. Handy was a Seattleteacher during the Great Depression whose vision of providing low-cost loans to school
teachers grew into what is now the School Employees Credit Union of Washington.
The Washington Association of School Administrators is a statewide, professional association representing nearly 1,100
members including superintendents, central office administrators, and building principals.
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