On May 15, Educational Service District (ESD) 112 gathered educators, administrators and community leaders to present the annual Washington Association of School Administrators awards, honoring individuals and organizations that made a significant difference in K-12 education across the southwest Washington region.
Held at the ESD 112 campus in Vancouver, the ceremony recognizes outstanding educational administrators, community partners and volunteers whose work extends well beyond the school day. The awards recognize both individual excellence and the shared commitment that makes transformative learning possible. Student leaders were also recognized for demonstrating significant leadership in their school or community.
“Strong schools don’t happen in isolation. When educators, families, local businesses, and community partners work side by side, we create opportunities that reach far beyond the classroom and prepare students for a future none of us can build alone,” shared Mike Nerland, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning. “It was great to see so many deserving educators and community partners from the ESD 112 region honored at the WASA Awards ceremony.”
Regional Educators of the Year
The ceremony began with recognition of the ESD 112 Regional Teacher of the Year and the Classified School Employee of the Year:
2025 Regional Classified School Employee of the Year
Paul Richie, Facilities and Operations Supervisor, Kelso School District
2026 Regional Teacher of the Year
John Zingale, History and Social Studies Teacher, Vancouver iTech Preparatory
Student Leadership Awards
The event also recognized students who demonstrated outstanding leadership in initiatives promoting inclusivity, access, equity or social justice in their school or community:
- Itzel Contreras-Montiel, Battle Ground Public Schools
- Brittain Jura, Camas School District
- Isayah Eddleman and Mallory Wells, Kelso School District
- WEB Leaders, Vancouver Public Schools
Community Leadership Awards
Community Leadership Awards were presented to individuals and organizations that have partnered with local school districts to enhance educational opportunities:
Camas School District
- Carrie Schulstad
- Jon Girod
Educational Service District 112
- Clark County Food Bank
Evergreen School District
- Evergreen School District Foundation
Hockinson School District
- Douglas C. Greene
- Steve & Shannon Ranck
Kelso School District
- Kelso Business and Community Association
- Gleeann Kamp
- Reece Wampler
Carrie Schulstad
Jon Girod
Clark County Food Bank
Evergreen School District Foundation
Douglas C. Greene
Steve & Shannon Ranck
Kelso Business and Community Association
Gleeann Kamp and Reece Wampler
Industry Partners: Greg Stutz, Builders FirstSource; Josh Soske, Community Volunteer; Jon Girod, Quail Homes; Chris Hiller, River City Enterprises, Inc.; Dean Muonio, Rotschy, Inc.; Douglas C. Greene, Skilled Trades Centers; Betsy Hoppe, Steelscape LLC; Alexa Lee, Tapani Inc.; Dean Lee, Tapani Plumbing Inc.; and Derek Heugel, Wolf Industries Inc.
Lyle Playground Committee
Ridgefield Public Schools Foundation
Toutle Christian Fellowship, Toutle Lake Foundation, and Toutle Valley VFW Post 10882 and Auxiliary
Trout Lake Lunch Fund Program
Elevate Oregon
Rotary Club of Camas-Washougal
La Center School District
- Industry Partners: Greg Stutz, Builders FirstSource; Josh Soske, Community Volunteer; Jon Girod, Quail Homes; Chris Hiller, River City Enterprises, Inc.; Dean Muonio, Rotschy, Inc.; Douglas C. Greene, Skilled Trades Centers; Betsy Hoppe, Steelscape LLC; Alexa Lee, Tapani Inc.; Dean Lee, Tapani Plumbing Inc.; and Derek Heugel, Wolf Industries Inc.
- Jenna Sullivan
Lyle School District
- Lyle Playground Committee
Lyle and Stevenson-Carson School Districts
- Jan and Steve Oliva
Ridgefield School District
- Ridgefield Public Schools Foundation
Toutle Lake School District
- Toutle Christian Fellowship
- Toutle Lake Foundation
- Toutle Valley VFW Post 10882 and Auxiliary
Trout Lake School District
- Trout Lake Lunch Fund Program
Vancouver School District
- Elevate Oregon
Washougal School District
- Rotary Club of Camas-Washougal
Regional and State Awards
Twenty-Year Awards
The Twenty-Year Award recognizes administrators who have served 20 years in public school districts. This year’s recipients include:
- Shelly Whitten, Battle Ground School District
- Doug Hood, Camas School District
- Dave Holmes, Green Mountain School District
- Mark Wreath, Vancouver School District
WASA Student Achievement Leadership Award
This award honors leadership in implementing innovations that result in measurable growth in student achievement and could serve as models for new programs.
This year’s recipient: Derek Jaques, Camas School District.
As assistant superintendent, Jaques has successfully balanced oversight of K-12 schools and Career and Technical Education programs, bridging the gap between the classroom and the workforce and creating a talent pipeline that provides real-world opportunities for all students. A staunch advocate for equity, he ensures that students from underserved and low-socioeconomic backgrounds have the same access to excellence as their peers.
WASA Award of Merit
This year’s recipient: Mary Beth Tack, Kelso School District.
Tack is a veteran superintendent whom many look to for guidance, support and inspiration. She has served in both formal and informal roles, notably as a cornerstone of the regional Women Superintendents Support Network, ensuring women leaders have opportunities to gather and learn from one another. While serving as chair of the ESD 112 regional superintendents group, she inspired a coordinated regional effort to strengthen math teaching and learning and elevated math as a priority focus. Her ability to inspire action, align leaders and sustain momentum has had a meaningful impact on systems and students alike.
About WASA (Washington Association of School Administrators)
The Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) is a professional organization for school administrators that provides leadership, advocacy and professional development for its members. Similar to ESD 112, WASA works to ensure every student has equal access to educational opportunities and resources.
ESD 112 equalizes educational opportunities for learning communities through innovative partnerships, responsive leadership, and exceptional programs.