Education, and Kindness, is Life for Andy Smallman ’88

Andy Smallman

Andy Smallman

“Why did I have to wait until college to get an Evergreen style education”? That’s been the driving question Andy Smallman ‘88 has been asking since becoming a teacher, and then co-founder of Puget Sound Community School (PSCS), an independent, progressive private middle and high school in Seattle.

Despite doing well in a traditional high school himself – the Seattle-area native was told “you can go to any college you want” – Smallman didn’t apply anywhere initially, and ended up in Alaska as a disk jockey at a small radio station. From there, he studied audio engineering in Ohio, sold used records in Seattle, and worked for the Daily Racing Form. It was during this time that a friend suggested Smallman was well-suited to volunteer helping kids. A year later, he was honored with Match of the Year by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound and knew he was destined to work with children. That’s when he started to look at colleges. Continue reading

Adam Fletcher ’02 Pioneers Youth Policy in Brazil

Center for Studies and Research in Education, Culture and Community Action (CENPEC) Advertises November Conference

Center for Studies and Research in Education, Culture and Community Action (CENPEC) advertises November conference

Adam Fletcher ’02 is a consultant, author, and public speaker on topics including youth engagement, education policy, and community development. As a consultant, Fletcher has gotten used to “posing questions and challenging norms to which [he doesn’t] get to see outcomes.” But for eight days in November 2014, at a conference organized by the Center for Studies and Research in Education, Culture and Community Action (CENPEC), held in São Paulo, Brazil, his experience shattered that narrative. This is the story of how Adam Fletcher, a man who started his career as a youth worker at age 14, and at times lived homeless while growing up in Alberta, Canada and later in South Dakota, Montana and Nebraska, came to inspire and inform the creation of Brazil’s youth engagement programs. Continue reading

Wayne Au, ’96 MiT to Chair UW Bothell Diversity Council

wanyne-au

Wayne Au, ’96 MiT, Ph.D

The University of Washington Bothell announced that MiT alumnus Wayne Au has been appointed to chair the University of Washington Bothell Diversity Council.

This is just the latest recognition of Wayne’s outstanding work in education. Read the full news release.

Congratulations Wayne!

The Evergreen Mind Creates a Space for Teachers

MPA Grad photoEvery June, the Master in Teaching Program at Evergreen graduates a new class of passionate, creative, innovative teachers. The program has gained a reputation for excellence, and every year, MiT alumni win more awards and accolades. They are close cohorts and like to stay in touch with each other, and with their graduate program.

In celebration of the public service Evergreen MiT alumni provide – as teachers, administrators, education innovators and advocates –  we’ve created this space to share, with permission, “MiTeachers”  vignettes and updates: classroom wit and wisdom, awards and honors, “a-ha” moments, cheers and tears – the meaningful elements that comprise a teaching life.

Of course, you can stay in touch with Sherri, Loren and Maggie directly as always. Now, you can also post directly in the “Leave a Reply” comments section, below.