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2007 AESD Conference - Yakima

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ESD 105 offered “A Taste of Excellence” as host of the 2007 AESD Annual Conference during April 19-21 in Yakima.  Informational sessions focused on how ESDs can provide excellence in service in responding to needs such as helping schools improve with math and science, and how to assure a statewide system of delivery to programs throughout our statewide agencies.

Highlights of the 2007 Conference:

  • Dr. Bonnie Dunbar, president and CEO of The Museum of Flight in Seattle and a veteran of five NASA space shuttle missions, provided the keynote address.  Dunbar gave an overview on the history of flight and recalled her own journey toward becoming an astronaut.  She advised the attendees to inspire students to take math and science courses so they can be better prepared for college, and put in a plug for the Washington Aerospace Scholars Program that The Museum of Flight offers for high school juniors.  She was joined on stage by Yakima’s Eisenhower High School student Sarah Petersen, a recent participant in that program.
  • In a process that involved breaking out into small groups, conference participants developed a collection of “5 Common Elements of Excellence” found in successful ESD services:  collaboration, risk taking, results, system approach, and customer satisfaction.  It is recommended that these five elements are communicated to all nine ESDs in our state to help guide the collective ongoing pursuit of program-wide excellence, and that future interactions among our ESDs explore and develop these common elements.
  • A panel presentation on “The ESD Response to Excellence in Mathematics Instruction” covered some common characteristics of good math initiatives, including self-assessment of school culture and leadership, using data as a tool for planning, performance coaching, and funding models.
  • Brian Talbott, executive director of the Association of Educational Service Agencies in Arlington, Virginia, provided an update on legislative updates and discussions on how ESDs are accountable to their clients.  (Talbot was superintendent of ESD 105 from 1975 to 1981 and ESD 101 from 1982 to 1998.)
  • Breakout sessions covered such topics as safe and health schools, science education, Washington Learning Source and educational technology, early learning, and fiscal integrity.
  • Conference attendees enjoyed musical performances throughout the three days by the Yakima Jazz Orchestra (primarily composed of educators in the Yakima area), Yakima’s Roosevelt Elementary School marimba band, and Yakima’s Davis High School “Arcoiris” folkloric mariachi group.
  • Lou Adams and Jan Jutte of the State Auditor’s Office provided comments from the Performance Audit Report.
  • Jerry Jenkins of NWESD 189 concluded the gathering with an invitation to the 2008 AESD Conference.