I wish all of your readers in the Mukilteo School District could have been present when Superintendent Marci Larsen welcomed the entire district staff to the 2003-2004 school year. It was an inspirational experience.
For the first time, students were involved in the opening program in a meaningful way. A combined Kamiak and Mariner high school band and cheer squad entertained us. Our masters of ceremony were student board directors from all three high schools: Ben Hirst, ACES; Alen Ozegovic, Mariner; and Erik Taubeneck, Kamiak. The colors were presented by NJROTC guard from Mariner and Madison Pillman, a third-grader at Picnic Point Elementary, led us in the flag salute. In a dialogue with students selected from the high schools, Dr. Larsen invited them to remember a special teacher in their lives. She asked them to recall other district employees who had influenced them in a positive way. Each student eloquently identified individuals who had cajoled, challenged, nurtured, comforted, encouraged and inspired them. All of those people were in the audience and each received rousing applause.
As all good teachers know, the most effective lessons you teach are those you’ve applied to yourself. So the best moment of the morning occurred when Dr. Larsen introduced us to Sally McCurdy, once a speech teacher at Denny Junior High School in West Seattle, who 33 years ago made a difference in her life. Mrs. McCurdy had engendered in the then Marci Janes a love of learning and a desire to achieve academic excellence. Mrs. McCurdy told us how proud she was to have taught the now Dr. Larsen, superintendent of Mukilteo Public Schools. She hoped each of us gathered in the Kamiak gym would one day – tomorrow, next week or 33years from now – have the same experience: A former student calling you to say what a difference you had made in their life.
As I left the opening ceremony, teachers, custodians, paraeducators, secretaries and administrators kept commenting: “That was the best opening of school we’ve ever had.” With her uplifting example, Dr. Larsen, our academic leader, has set the tone for the work that lies ahead. We do have high expectations for ourselves and our students, and we can achieve lofty goals with the support and encouragement of each other. We’re all in this together and we will make a difference.
Director
Mukilteo School District
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