Administrative Staff
Bruce Hawkins, Superintendent
Ph: 509.547.8441
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Kuniko Votaw, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent
Ph: 509.544.5785
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Molly Green, Communication & Graphics Coordinator
Ph: 509.544.5787
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Superintendent's Message
Building Something More
There are many variations on the story commonly referred to as “The Three Stone Cutters.” One such version of this story reads as follows:
A traveler came upon three individuals working with stone. Curious as to what these workers were doing, the traveler approached the first worker and asked, "What are you doing?" Without the slightest hesitation, the worker replied, "I am a stone cutter and I am cutting stones." The traveler approached the second worker and asked the same question. To this the second worker thought for a moment, gazed briefly at the traveler and explained, "I am cutting stones so that I may earn money to support my family." Finally, the sojourner approached the third worker and asked, "What are you doing?" Stopping for a moment, the worker stared at the stone in his hand, slowly turned to the traveler, and said, "I am a stone cutter and I am building a palace."
In our daily work, it is easy to become wrapped up in “cutting stones.” The work at hand many times detracts from appreciation of the bigger picture. Perhaps this is why mission and vision work is valued by so many organizations. For an agency’s mission statement is truly the answer to the question “Why?” Why are we doing this? Why does our work matter? At the end of the day, what difference have we made?
Beginning in the summer of 2009, ESD 123 embarked on renewing its Strategic Plan. A vital component of this renewal involved rewriting our mission statement. The ESD understands that a successful mission statement must speak to each employee, in plain English, and be grounded in action that brings its intentions to life. And so, with what truly was a collaborative effort by numerous staff, the new ESD 123 mission statement was born: One Team…Helping all students realize their dreams and aspirations…We are ESD 123!
The concept of “One Team” may at first glance imply only the ESD staff; however, those working for ESD 123 know better. Our “team” includes our school systems, teachers, students, community members and more. Each member of our team works toward our goal to help students realize their dreams by different means. Some employees impact our mission through increasing student learning. Others work toward improving educational practice. Still others may help students realize their dreams by enhancing learning resources. Often, our work is a combination of all three. At the end of the day, though, each employee’s work trickles out in some way to touch the life of a student. We are not just “cutting stones” – we are building something more.
Our mission is the definitive expression of our purpose at ESD 123. It means that all of our work is connected to the same goal – helping students realize their dreams. Our mission and vision, or values, are the lifeblood of ESD 123, and exceedingly crucial to the viability of our work now and in the future.
Our task is to promote attitudes and behaviors within our facilities and community that are unique to the mission in the education system. Whether we are working with pre-school children and families, participating in the strategic planning cycle, or developing new programs, our efforts to enhance the mission and values of ESD 123 are the most important task that we have. It is in this task that we find ourselves as a part of our mission.
Respectfully,
Bruce Hawkins, Molly Green & Kuniko Votaw,
The Office of Superintendent
