| Spotlight on Success
December 2008 |
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 Happy Holidays!
We hope this edition of Spotlight on Success finds you delighting in our unexpectedly snowy winter. The weather, although frustrating, give us an excuse to slow down and reflect on the year's trials and triumphs.
ISF had much to celebrate in 2008...strengthened partnerships with the District, the growth of the VOICE Mentoring Program, and the ability to positively impact our students' future through funding of Kateri Brow Big Idea Biggest Need and Classroom Enrichment Grants, GLAD trained teachers, Club 7, and After-School Homework Labs.
Thank you for being a partner in our successes. Through donations and countless volunteer hours, our ISF family makes it possible to continue our mission of helping all students achieve the promise of their academic potential.
We are grateful for your support! Best wishes for a peaceful holiday break and a wonderful New Year.
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| End of an Era - ISF Executive Director Leaving |
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After nearly ten years of dedicated service both as a board member and as Executive Director, Robin Callahan will depart in June. "I am ready for a change and a new challenge," says Callahan. "My tenure with ISF is the longest of my professional career. I've had so many positive experiences here that it intensified my desire to continue my personal education. My goal is to work with an international non-profit foundation and obtain my MBA. It has been a privilege to work with so many passionate and dedicated community members in building the foundation and serving our students ."  Callahan's imprint is visible in every aspect of the organizations' operations. She led ISF to new heights of professionalism, vision and financial stability. Under Callahan's watch, ISF grew from a grant making organization to one that produces programs in partnership with the District, including Club 7 (formerly SafeNet), the VOICE Mentor Program and After-School Homework Labs. Her effusive and accessible personality also helped garner fans and substantially increase community support. Since taking the reins as Executive Director in 2002, ISF's annual budget has morphed from $185,000 to $715,000 in 2007-2008. "We'll miss her," admits ISF Board President, Eve Martine. "Robin has brought her intelligence, wisdom, compassion and her willingness to do any task needed to cultivate the partnership between the Issaquah Schools Foundation and the Issaquah Schools District. She has spent a decade helping to make this a strong district for all students." Callahan will remain with ISF through the end of the school year (June 30). The Board has posted a job description on the ISF website and in non-profit publications and will accept applications through January. They hope to hire a new Executive Director in March and have him or her job shadow Callahan from April through June. The community is asked to assist with the search by spreading the word and forwarding the job posting to qualified acquaintances.
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| ISD Staff Earn National Board Certification with Assistance from ISF |
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Issaquah Schools Foundation Scholarship grants have helped 13 Issaquah  School District teachers earn National Board Certification, considered the highest level of professionalism a teacher can achieve. With the addition, the District now has a total of 28 Nationally Board Certified teachers, with another 27 on track to gain the designation in 2009.
National Board Certification is a voluntary assessment program designed to make great teachers even better. It is the only credentialing process that compares a teacher's knowledge and skills with national standards.
Recent research by the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies, affirms that National Board Certification brings measurable benefits to schools and students. Students of certified teachers have been shown to score higher on tests, have a deeper understanding of content matter and demonstrate greater retention of information. The program has become so successful that even newly appointed U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, praised NBC in his briefing to the press.
Please join us in congratulating and thanking our new NBC teachers for their dedication to educational excellence.
- Carol Best, Second Grade, Discovery Elementary
- Lori Fisher, First Grade, Endeavour Elementary
- Kara Heaphy, Science, Beaver Lake Middle School
- Gabrielle Herring, Kindergarten, Endeavour Elementary
- Kathryn Krueger, Music, Challenger Elementary
- Jennifer Mountford, Language Arts, Pacific Cascade Freshman Campus
- Rena Pitasky, Math, Pine Lake Middle School
- Carrie Reckling, Spanish, Beaver Lake Middle School
- Kourtney Smith, First Grade, Discovery Elementary
- Ann Swiftney, Humanities, Issaquah Middle School
- Leah Van More, Science, Pacific Cascade Freshman Campus
- Michele Van More, Humanities, Pine Lake Middle School
- Jonathan Whitney, World Studies, Pacific Cascade Freshman Campus
To read the District's news release on NBC, click here.
For more information on National Board Certification, visit the NBC website.
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| Celebrate Your Favorite Teacher |
Is there a teacher who makes school a better place for your child? Would you like to congratulate one of our new National Board Certification graduates? Make a gift to ISF in honor of your favorite ISD staff member. We will send a card to your honoree to inform them of your acknowlegement. It's a great way to celebrate our hard working educators and support our students. Plus, your gift is tax-deductible. Thank you!
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The Issaquah Schools Foundation is a 21-year old organization that drives resources to help students reach the promise of their academic potential.
We fund programs that encourage academic achievement, support struggling students and promote professional development.
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