home
 
2010 AESD Conference

The 2010 AESD Conference was held April 22-24, 2010 in Vancouver, and was hosted by ESD 112. Thanks to Dr. Twyla Barnes, Superintendent (right) and her extraordinary ESD 112 staff (below right) for their gracious hospitality and outstanding conference!

The 2010 Conference brought together the past, present and future and it signified the opportunity to network with other board members and peers. It also represented the AESD goal to focus on the network of ESDs across the state, as well as the link between local school districts and communities served by the nine ESDs in our state.

Highlights included:

• Keynote speaker David Lawrence, Jr., five-time Pulitzer Prize winner, who addressed the topic “Preparing Today’s Children for Tomorrow’s World.”
• “Effective Communication Strategies in a Virtual World” presented by ESD Public Information staff Lori Williams and Eric Jacobson, ESD 112; Steve Witter, ESD 101; and Joan Tritchler, Puget Sound ESD.
• Orientation for new board members presented by Ann Campbell, ESD 112 Board; Larry MacGuffie, NCESD board and Rich McBride, NCESD Superintendent.
• Unveiling of the AESD Heritage Project, a “living history” of the ESDs that includes video footage, a photo scrapbook, and electronic journal and personal reporting of activities and accomplishments of individual ESDs. (See link on www.aesd-wa.org.)
• State of the Network presented by Jane Gutting, ESD 105 Superintendent, and Bruce Hawkins, ESD 123 Superintendent.
• Remarks by Randy Dorn, State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
• Keynote by Attorney Mike Patterson on “The Safety of Our Children, an Essential Investment.”
• Breakouts, including “Financing Washington’s Education by Ken Kanikeberg, OSPI; WA Early Learning Initiatives and student success presented by Dr. Bette Hyde, Director, Department of Early Learning; and a professional development seminar for ESD Executive Assistants facilitated by Kathy Linden, Puget Sound ESD.

Dr. Debora Boeck, Puget Sound ESD, brought a presentation on “Effective Governance” and Dr. Brian Talbott, AESA Executive Director, brought an AESA Federal Update.

The final presentation, appropriately entitled “Tomorrow! Here We Come!” was a panel discussion by exemplary students, past and present, who shared their perspective of education with a spirit of enthusiasm and optimism for the future.

An AESD Heritage reception was held at Pearson Air Museum. Guests enjoyed appetizers and beverages, accompanied by music from the Woody Hite Big Band.