Doepker has spent the past five years at Sharpstein Elementary School in Walla Walla as an instructional coach and teacher. She has a total of 16 years experience as a classroom teacher, including experience teaching in College Place and Prescott School Districts. Doepker completed her Administrative Credentials from Eastern Washington University. She also holds an English as a Second Language Endorsement from Seattle Pacific University. Doepker earned her Master’s of Education Degree with an emphasis in elementary education from Eastern Washington University. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Idaho where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in elementary education.

Wolcott has spent the past seven years working in the Post Falls, Idaho school district as an elementary and middle school teacher. He also worked for Post Fall High School as an assistant football coach. Wolcott earned his Master’s of Educational Leadership Degree from the University of Idaho. He also completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Idaho where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in elementary education.

Graduating seniors Emily Pinney, Josh Ness and Katie O’Brien competed in the senior division of the International competition against the one or two winning teams from 40 states plus teams from Japan, Australia, Singapore, Korea, New Zealand, and China.

As an extra-curricular activity, Future Problem Solving teaches students critical and creative thinking skills, problem solving, and communication skills, both oral and written. Students research topics throughout the year and use the knowledge gained from the research while applying the six-step model during an intense two-hour competition where only pencils, pens, paper, and calculators are utilized to write an 11-page paper. The topic for the International Conference was privacy.

This is the seventh time that a team from Walla Walla has represented Washington State at the international level. The team was coached by John and Gay Buissink.

Here’s what was said about the Ericksons during the presentation.Bill and Diana Erickson use their professions as springboards for helping others. Bill works for the Bonneville Power Administration and Diana is employed by Walla Walla Public Schools. Their combined efforts bring sponsorship to many programs that are designed to help youth reach potentials that would otherwise be unattainable. Truly, they are a volunteer team who are much greater than the sum of their parts.

• Exceptional volunteers are frequently involved in their churches or in organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America. For many years, the Ericksons have been deeply involved in both of these groups. Indeed, their leadership in Scouting includes activities at both the local and the regional levels.

• It is work far beyond this that brings Bill and Diana to the forefront of volunteerism, however. They have a particular interest in helping young Hispanic men and women see themselves and their futures as unlimited. The Ericksons’ work includes endeavors that improve the lives of individuals, groups, and communities.

• Is there a need for a surrogate parent for a special education student? Is there a youngster whose caring family is having trouble navigating the juvenile justice system? Is there a mother who cannot complete a required school form ¯ even though it is written in Spanish ¯ because she herself was not able to attend school beyond the third grade? Bill and Diana Erickson don’t wait to be called; they seek such opportunities to offer individual support.

• There is going to be a regional Science Fair in Portland this year. Is it possible to train a team of students to proudly represent Walla Walla High School? What if that team is all girls? What if that team is all Hispanic? What if that team has a hard time finding coaches and sponsors? The Ericksons and the Bonneville Power Administration are proud to support their local schools. Walla Walla School District is proud to be the first district to ever send such a team to the competition (first all girl team and first all Hispanic team!).

• How will young Hispanic women and men know that they have the strength and skills to become future leaders in business and society? With Walla Walla School District support, Bill and Diana Erickson can design and produce a Migrant Leadership Camp. Guest speakers and community supporters can involve students in a three-day week-end activity-laden experience that shines bright lights on bright futures.

• The local farm labor camp is in need of sprucing up. What if we pull together a team of youth and adults who can fix, paint, and do yard work? At the same time, let’s put in some new play equipment for the kids. Let’s also organize a day of games and celebration for the community. Bill and Diana Erickson.

Who touched so many lives is such positive ways? Many would have no idea whom to thank. Bill and Diana Erickson are organizers; if there is recognition to be given, the Ericksons will nominate any number of the people with whom they work: men and women who often have underlying fears that they just can’t reach even their limited dreams. This wonderful volunteer couple believes that no young person’s fear is so small that it can be dismissed offhandedly; neither is any youngster’s dream so big that it should not be encouraged, planned for, worked toward, and achieved.

PERSONNEL REPORT (For the School Board Meeting June 19, 2007)

I. EMPLOYMENT
Administrative: Kimberle Doepker, Assistant Principal, Pioneer Middle School

Certificated: Patrick Graham, Math Teacher, Walla Walla High School
Andrea Frenzel, Math Teacher, Walla Walla High School
Cindy Rosselle, Special Education Teacher, Walla Walla High School
Danielle Van Dyke, 3rd Grade, Berney Elementary

Classified:Derrick Conley, Intervention Specialist, Berney Elementary
Jill Gentry, Para-Educator, Walla Walla High School

II. RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENTS
Classified: Kathryn Farrell Guizar, Para-Educator, Paine Alternative, 6 months

PERSONNEL REPORT (For the School Board Special Meeting June 21, 2007)

I. EMPLOYMENT
Administrative: Joshua Wolcott, Assistant Principal, Garrison Middle School
Certificated: Nichole Riggs, Orchestra, Garrison Middle School
Coaching: Alyssa Latham, Head Girls’ Soccer Coach, Walla Walla High School

II. RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENTS
Certificated: Jeff King, Science, Walla Walla High School, 2 years

Monday - Thursday
Session 1 - 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
• Incoming 9th-12th grade students

Session 2 - 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
• Incoming 6th-8th grade students

Session 3 - 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
• Incoming 9th-12th grade students

Instructors: Marc Yonts, Eric Hisaw, Amy Hisaw

Location: Wa-Hi Weight Room
Cost: $30 pre-registered (by July 1) and $35 at door

Note: Students will need a medical release and a parent permission form, which they can get at the Wa-Hi Athletic Office any time or at the door. (PHYSICALS ARE NOT REQUIRED)

Information
Contact Marc Yonts at 526-8624 or by e-mail at: myonts@wwps.org

Math & Reading
8:00-11:00 a.m.

Free Lunch (11:00-11:30 a.m.)

Enrichment Activities
11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m.

Thursdays Fun Time
• Movie Day
• Ropes Course
• Water Games
• LIGO Field Trip

For more information, contact Jerri Doyle at 527-3040

Course Session: June 25 - Aug. 2 (Monday - Thursday)
Time: 8:15 - 11:15
Location: Walla Walla High School
- Math P-2
- Reading P-4
- Writing P-1

For more information, contact Wa-Hi Assistant Principal Mira Gobel at 527-3020.

June 25-Aug. 2, Monday-Thursday
Session 1 - 8:15-10:15 (P-3)
Session 2 - 10:30-12:30(P-3)

Program is designed for students who are currently attending WWHS and need to make up credits in English, Math, and Social Studies in order to meet graduation requirements.For more information, call 527-3020.

Human Health Expedition: Emergency Medicine: July 9-13
This hands on study of the human body and careers in emergency medicine is partnered with Walla Walla Community College and St. Mary Medical Center. In this camp students will get first hand practice at emergency medicine. As part of their coursework, students will become first aid and CPR certified. This camp is an excellent introduction to the many opportunities available in the health care industry. Students will practice their skills in the nursing lab and the Allied Health center at WWCC on the final day of camp.

Advanced Pro: July 16-20
In this camp students will get a deeper look at medical careers that require an advanced degree. Students will practice occupations such as nursing, physical therapy, and sports medicine. Students will get the opportunity to work with professionals and practice hands on medicine. Fun math and science skills activities will accompany this camp.

Creative Writing & Recreation: July 23 to August 2 (No Fridays with this camp)
Let your creative juices flow! In this camp students will use photography to help guide their writing ideas. This camp will encourage students to explore their imagination.

Contact Marika Tomkins at 527-3050 for more information about these wonderful camps. All camps will be taught by Walla Walla district teachers in conjunction with local career partners. Camps will run from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. daily.

There will also be an 8-9 a.m. supervised recreation time for students who wish to start their day earlier. Lunch will be provided by Walla Walla Parks and Recreation. All cost for these camps is paid by the GEAR UP and Millennials grants with NO COST to the participants.

Program goals: To provide a variety of activities such as recreation, computers, reading, social skills, arts & crafts, educational games

For more information, contact Erica Swingholm at 527-3066.