Retiring from school life, pages

Saturday, June 5, 2021 Features 13 Changing of the guard

Donaldson retires, Hansen steps in as superintendent

Compiled by Cecelia Thomas Staff Reporter

The Bengal’s Purr: What has been one of your favorite things about your job? Donaldson: Going to the different classes and building relationships with the kids -- the energy in the classrooms. Graduations and rehearsals were always fun, and so was getting to know the seniors. Purr: What made you decide to become an educator? Donaldson: My mom was an educator and she had a lot of passion for it. Purr: Through all the years you have worked at the school district, what is Dr. Robert Donaldson your proudest memory? Donaldson: I guess the obvious one would be the night the bond was passed for the new high school. I have been through multiple attempts to have the bond passed and have seen the bond not be passed through multiple times. When the bond was passed it was passed at 76% in favor -- something unheard of and extremely hard to do. This really showed a community sense of pride and unity. Purr: What changes in the school district do you hope to see in the future? Donaldson: I hope we’re in a position to really move the needle in academic performance, and with that; the opportunity for students to reach their aspirations and goals. If you create the environment for students to be successful and be actively invested in that, then their academics will benefit everyone in the long run. Purr: How has your work changed the way you handle challenges with people? Donaldson: I really engage people to see where they’re coming from, and try to understand the playing field. If I had a strength it would be putting people in places where they will be successful. True leadership isn’t putting yourself above all others, it’s making sure your team can be successful with you. Purr: Did you always want to be a superintendent? Donaldson: After I finished my doctoral work at the University of Idaho I went to Washington State University for three years. I worked on a grant, and realized I was bored to death. I wanted to get back in the public schools. Purr: What was your dream job when you were growing up? Donaldson: I wasn’t the best high school student. Then I went to community college and Penn State. I worked at ranches in Wyoming in the summer, so I guess my dream job would have been to do that -- moving cattle hundreds of miles to other ranches. But then I got married and my wife told me I had to grow up. Purr: Is there anything you would have changed about your experience with the Lewiston School District? Donaldson: When I think of each student who I’ve developed a relationship with who didn’t graduate, I wish we could have done something more. Purr: What is the most important decision you have made during your job? Donaldson: Making the decision to open back up for face-to-face teaching (in 2020). Purr: Do you have any fun plans for after you retire? Donaldson: Recreational fly fishing, and I’m also doing part-time work for the state department of education.

By Emma Cuddy Staff Reporter

The Bengal’s Purr: How long have you been assistant superintendent? Lance Hansen: Eight years. Purr: What has Bob taught you about being a superintendent? Hansen: Dr. Donaldson has taught me many things -- leadership in general -- because when he was the principal at the high school, I was the assistant principal. When he was the superintendent here I was the assistant superintendent. But most importantly, he taught me more in regards to evaluating situations and having a very broad perspective, and taking in Lance Hansen multiple points of view before making a decision. Purr: What does a superintendent do? Hansen: The superintendent is hired by the (school district) board of directors. They work directly with and answer to the board of directors. Their role is to ensure that the policies set forth by the board of directors are enforced, are followed, as well as providing leadership for the district and carrying out the directions from the board of directors. So the board of directors will have priorities that will be given to the superintendent. The superintendent’s obligation or job is to ensure that those things are coming to fruition. Purr: What does an assistant superintendent do? Hansen: The assistant superintendent has more specific roles when it comes to departments. ... As the assistant superintendent I was responsible for maintenance, custodial, food services, transportation, human resources and information technology or the network office. In essence, the assistant superintendent kind of oversees the operations of the district -- operations as in how kids are fed, making sure that we have lights on and the buildings are appropriate temperatures. My job (has been) not to fix it but to ensure that our buildings are functioning properly -- that our students have safe and comfortable environments. Purr: Who will be the new assistant superintendent? Hansen: At this time that position has not been advertised. Purr: What plans do you have for the future as superintendent? Hansen: The most important thing for me as I’m looking forward is to have a conversation with the board of directors to set the priorities for the district moving into next year. That hasn’t happened yet. So, that will be my focus -- ensuring that the board of directors’ goals that we set for the district are being carried out, or that we are at least working towards those goals. Specifically, for me the emphasis that I have, or will have, next year is ensuring that the working environment or classroom environments are conducive for all children to learn in.

14 Features THE BENGAL’S PURR LHS staff members pursue new endeavours

Melton retires after 35-year run

By Declan Cattrysse Staff Reporter

After 35 years in a schooling evironment, Dawn Melton is finally ready to relax and live her life.

Purr: How many years have you been teaching? Dawn Melton: I’ve been in the classroom for 23 years, but I’ve been in education 35 years because I worked in higher education at university level. Purr: Where did you start off teaching? Dawn Melton: Up in Newport, Washington, was my first job, right after I got out of graduate school. Purr: When did you decide you wanted to become a teacher? Melton: Well, I liked to play school when I was a little girl, made my sister be the student, that was painful. Uh, so I always thought I wanted to be a teacher but I started out as a business major. Then my sophomore year I switched to teaching because I do have a love of teaching and helping kids learn. Even though in college I thought I wanted to be a business major I did switch. Purr: How many different subjects have you taught? Melton: My first teaching job was sociology, psychology, pacific northwest history, English, speech, research and writing, senior success, and freshman success -- a total of eight different subjects. Purr: Was there ever a time where you felt like you wanted to stop teaching? Melton: I think that’s a yes in any career. There’s always low points, I’d say not one specific time, but when I was a teacher for seven years, then I was in a university setting for 9 or 10 years [...] I never thought I was gonna come back to teaching. When I did come back there were times when kids wouldn’t work and you could really see their potential. When they don’t do their work, I think that’s the hardest part. Purr: Did you ever feel like teaching wasn’t Dawn Melton for you? Melton: When I went to college, I got my bachelor’s degree and I didn’t go into teaching right away because I was, you know 22 or 23 ... So that’s when I went out to WSU and got my master’s in Adult Continuing Education and worked at the college level at that time, at WSU. Then later ... I decided I wanted to give teaching a try and I was really glad I did. Purr: What do you plan to do with your retirement? Melton: Oh, man. All the things I haven’t had the time to do while working full time. I wanna get better at golf, more travel, spending time with my family, doing more reading. I like to garden and things like that. I actually have a little part time job being director of ministry at our church, and that’s exciting for me.

Spedden moves on after 30 years in the Lewiston School District

By Matthew Dugdale Staff Reporter

Tracy Spedden was lead cook at LHS until the end of the 2020-21 school year. After years working here, she has decided to retire and take care of herself. Purr: How long have you been here at LHS? Tracy Spedden: I’ve been here around 30 years. Purr: How has your experience here affected your life? Spedden: When you work that long, you get attached. Students and co-workers alike. It’s hard. Purr: What connections have you had with some of the students? Spedden: It’s great to see the students grow up and do their own thing. Purr: What plans do you have for retirement? Tracy Spedden Spedden: I plan to take care of myself, to take a break. Purr: Did you have a job before this, and if so, what? Spedden: I worked in the work force, I worked with fast food. I just love to serve and help people. Purr: Any other remarks? Spedden: I wish I would’ve been able to publish a book about the school district. This is an amazing school with amazing people.

Neil Williams

Neil Williams: from high school counselor to district psychologist

By Maddie Gibson Reporter

Staff member Neil Williams is transitioning from a counselor at LHS to a Lewiston School District psychologist.

Purr: What is your current occupation here? Neil Williams: I am a guidance counselor. Purr: How long have you been a counselor? Williams: I’ve been a counselor for 21 years here. Purr: How have things changed since you started working here? Williams: I think staff has changed, different school requirements have changed, different federal education codes have changed, but students are still pretty much the same. Purr: How has this job changed you, personally? Williams: I think it’s made me a better listener, I think it’s increased my sense of humour, I think it’s helped me to be creative in how I work with situations. Purr: What are your goals moving forward, occupation wise? Williams: So, this is another masters degree. It’s an EDS in school psychology, and I’ve never really worked in this, so it’s a degree I have not used and I wanted to use that and do something different for a couple years. That’s kind of my goal, to expand my horizons a little bit, and -- I love this job by the way, I really love it. This would be something different -- just a different way to look at things. Purr: When are you starting your new position? Williams: In the fall. I’ll do summer school in my regular counselor’s job and I’ll start in September in the new job.