Submitted by The Evergreen State College
Rand Hodgson was recently presented as the The Evergreen State College Distinguished PK12 Educator for 2017.
He graduated from Evergreen’s Master in Teaching program in 2010 and has used his education to make North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) a better district by working with students, volunteers, and mentors through Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and other recognized support initiatives.
Rand was nominated by Leslie Van Leishout, Director of Student Support for NTPS, who described the excellent work he provides to students and the district.
“Rand sees social emotional learning and attendance as civil rights issues,” she said. “It is critical that all students feel welcomed by all adults in the school district. When there are barriers of any kind Rand takes a strengths-based, root-cause approach to heighten protective factors for each child.”
He has systematized the use of mentoring throughout the district from elementary to high school, which helps each school find a personal grassroots interaction with the mentoring process, and brought hundreds of volunteers into North Thurston Public Schools. He has helped to make a difference in creating a truly compassionate school district.”
Evergreen’s MiT graduates have gone on to do exceptional work as teachers in Washington and throughout the nation. With strong reflective writing skills honed in MiT, a significant number of alumni seek National Board certification and pass on their first attempt.
Because of the MiT’s reputation for rigor and excellence, graduates have an amazing job placement rate. As of July 2016, 100% of the class of 2016, 97% of the class of 2015, and 100% of the class of 2014 seeking employment have found teacher positions.
If you are interested in joining the MiT program, the deadline for fall 2017 at Evergreen Tacoma is June 25. Find out more online or call 360-867-6559.
