Ryley, a senior at SVHS, recently attended an automotive painting competition in Seattle and earned 2^nd place in the category of Refinishing. The competition has been sponsored by Skills USA since 1965. Riley did not start painting cars until he entered the New Tech Skills Center this fall, although his dad is an automotive painter. His dad’s background was the stepping off point for Ryley’s interest in gaining skills in the field.

Brandon Bouge, Spokane Valley High School’s History teacher was recently recognized as a finalist for the 2013 Washington State Civics Educator of the Year.

Brandon began his teaching career seven years ago. His first teaching job was at Spokane Valley High School and this is where he continues to develop his skills in teaching and building relationships as part of the SVHS community.

In his youth, Brandon said he thought about becoming a pilot although he is not sure why, saying he had “extremely poor eyesight and still has a paralyzing fear of heights.” Brandon’s decision to not become a pilot led him to earn an Interdisciplinary Studies degree at Eastern Washington University; then on to a short career as a car salesman at Spokane Kia. He says, “It was the perfect job to quickly realize that the pursuit of money is not an adequate substitute for the pursuit of purpose.” After three months he quit and re-enrolled at Eastern to become a teacher.

Brandon says his most memorable moment in teaching is the Spokane Valley High School graduation ceremony his first year.  “The incredible experience I had my first year, while stressful, was proof-positive that I had made the right career choice. I looked forward to going to work every single day. Knowing I had something to do with the feeling of pride and accomplishment in the students walking across the stage that first year is an experience I won’t forget.”

Brandon’s dad, a principal in the Central Valley School District, is his most influential role model. Brandon says his example is the standard by which he holds himself to as a professional educator. Like his dad, Brandon has gone on to earn his administrative credentials, completing that program in June, 2012. He did dual internship at Spokane Valley High School under Larry Bush, principal and at Centennial Middle School under Karen Bromps and Michael Robinson. His educational goal is to be a model for life-long learning. His passion for history is reflected in his teaching.

Brandon’s Civics class gained knowledge and a better understanding of American Democracy and our political system last fall when they, along with students from RLA, created a voters’ informational pamphlet and conducted mock elections after weeks of researching candidates and ballot referendums. The data they gathered was shared throughout the district. 

Brandon’s passion for our students is reflected in his interactions with them. He has a way of making history fun, encouraging questions and discussions, never hesitating to give honest and forthright responses.  Brandon’s influence on students and staff is a tribute to his kindheartedness, love of history and teaching. Being recognized as a finalist for Civic Teacher of the Year acknowledges his goal of being a model for life-long learning.

WEST VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT TEACHER OF THE YEAR
“You didn’t teach me nothin’; I didn’t learn how to read...” is how Patricia Perrenoud, West Valley School District’s Teach of the Year ended her first day of her teaching career in a 1^st grade class 26 years ago. An unhappy little boy leaving for the day told her that when she asked him why he was so unhappy. Pat still carries that comment in her heart, saying that it is her most deflating moment in education, and the one she learned from the most. That very day she made a promise to herself that there would never be another day when kids didn’t have something they could say they learned in her class.

Pat’s words of wisdom come from the stories she tells of the things she has learned from her students. At SVHS all students and staff take the True Colors Personality Inventory. Pat’s “true color” is Blue. A Blue’s strengths include: caretaker, loving, trustworthy, optimistic, and creative. They find joy in personal relationships, influencing situations, self-searching, and team-building activities. It is these character traits that make her an essential member of the SVHS community and West Valley School District. To honor her as West Valley School District’s Teacher of the Year, is testimonial of her dedication to education and to the relationships she builds with students and staff.

Since early childhood, Pat wanted to work in education. She began fulfilling that dream as a classroom volunteer at Seth Woodard Elementary under the direction of Phil Corey, principal. At that time, her girls attended Seth Woodard and before long; West Valley School District was in her blood.

She left the district when she got her first teaching job in Post Falls, Idaho, with Pam Francis as principal. Her hope was to someday return to West Valley, or as she says “come home to West Valley.” Although she had teaching offers in Las Vegas, Lancaster, Northport, and the Aleutian Islands but she was thrilled when she was offered the Special Education position at Pasadena Park in 1991.

Pat worked eight years at Pasadena and then moved to City School when Larry Bush, Spokane Valley High School principal, began that innovative program in 1998. For a few years, Pat split her time between City School and Spokane Valley High School. She came to SVHS full time 10 years ago when Larry took over as principal of both City School and Spokane Valley.

 

In accordance with legislation passed during the 2011 session, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction established rigorous selection criteria and conducted a process to identify Washington’s Innovative Schools.   The designated schools were selected by a panel of experienced teachers, principals, superintendents, and STEM educators.  After evaluating the forty-two applications that were submitted, the panel selected the top twenty-two schools that they found were truly innovative and would serve as models to be emulated by other schools and districts.