MEDIA INVITATION: Surprise Regional Teacher Of The Year Announcement At Hilton Elementary School In Zillah, Washington -06/05/25

? Please Note: This information is embargoed until the official announcement.
The selected teacher has not been notified, and we ask that all media partners maintain the confidentiality of this information in advance to preserve the surprise for the honoree.

[Yakima, WA]  Members of the media are invited to join us for a surprise announcement and celebration as we recognize the 2025 ESD 105 Regional Teacher of the Year, Gail Gregory (2nd Grade Teacher), during a school-wide end-of-year assembly and student talent show. The selected educator will go on to represent our region in the statewide Washington Teacher of the Year competition hosted by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

This exciting community event will include faculty, students, administrators, families, and local supporters. We invite you to capture the moment this outstanding educator is surprised with this honor. The award will be presented live during the assembly, followed by opportunities for interviews, photos, and video.

What: Surprise Announcement – ESD 105 Regional Teacher of the Year
When: Tomorrow, Friday, June 6th at 8:45 a.m. 
Where: Hilton Elementary School (211 4th Ave, Zillah, WA 98953)

Please confirm your attendance beforehand by contacting Brittany Kaple so that she can provide you with the meeting location. This has been requested by the school district and must be honored. 

ESD 105 Hosts Free Substance Abuse Prevention Event For Families, Thursday, May 22, 2025 From 5:00-7:00 P.m. At PNWU. (Photo) -05/21/25

Educational Service District 105 is excited to invite families across South Central Washington to a free community event, “Healthy Youth, Healthy Families!”, taking place on Thursday, May 22, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences in Yakima.

This family-friendly evening is designed to promote youth well-being and strengthen family connections through interactive activities, educational resources, and community engagement. Attendees will learn about how to support and protect their kids from dangerous substances like Fentany! 

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  Parents will participate in Hidden In Plain Site, receive Narcan training and walk away with Narcan kits.
• Students will be attending a youth track. The youth track will focus on Substance Prevention (specifically around Fentanyl), Good Samaritan Law and Narcan Training.
• Dinner and childcare (for kids in grades K-5) are provided.
• All programming is provided in both English and Spanish.
• Door prizes

This event is open to the public. For more details, please visit the event Facebook page: Healthy Youth, Healthy Families!

Educational Service District 105, In Partnership With College Spark, Launches LEADER Impact Network Advisory Council To Strengthen Educator Diversity And Community Leadership (Photo) -05/13/25

ESD 105 is proud to announce the launch of the LEADER Impact Network Advisory Council, a key milestone in the evolution of the LEADER initiative into its next phase. This council, made possible through a $300,000-per-year, seven-year implementation grant from College Spark Washington, will guide efforts to foster equitable leadership, community engagement, and inclusive practices across south-central Washington.

Rooted in deep collaboration and shared purpose, the LEADER Impact Network Advisory Council brings together regional educators, advocates, and community leaders to inform strategies that build connection, elevate leadership, and strengthen the educator workforce.

This work is closely aligned with statewide priorities led by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), supporting Washington’s broader goals to expand and diversify the educator pipeline.

The LEADER Impact Network is focused on four strategic areas:

• Leadership Support: Supporting leaders whose lived experiences reflect the communities they serve, ensuring they are empowered, valued, and equipped to lead..

• Community Voice: Centering the perspectives of local educators, families, and organizations to ensure inclusive, community-driven change.

• Collaborative Partnerships: Building strong networks that enhance connection and shared learning across systems.

• Sustainable Impact: Using data and collaboration to inform long-term strategies that improve outcomes for students and educators alike.

The inaugural council meeting, hosted by ESD 105’s Educator Growth & Development team, brought together 11 founding members who will help shape the direction of the LEADER Impact Network. Their leadership marks the beginning of a multi-year effort to create more equitable, connected, and student-focused educational environments across the region. The first in-person Advisory Council meeting will took place on Monday, April 21, 2025, at ESD 105.

Meet the Council Members:

1. Jennifer Maier, Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic | Position 1

2. Julia Tobiness, ESD 105 | Position 2

3. Joel Lupercio, ESD 105 | Position 3

4. Hector Mendez, Yakima School District | Position 4

5. Abbagail Gomez, Granger School District | Position 5

6. Ruben Saldivar, Toppenish School District | Position 6

7. Enrique Romero, Toppenish School District | Position 7

8. Jensie Rosenow, South Central Workforce Council | Position 8

9. Monica Medrano, Central Washington University | Position 9

10. Kassandra Mendez, College Success Foundation | Position 10

11. Viviana Campos, Central Washington University – Yakima | Position 11

[Quote from College Spark Washington]:

“ESD 105 has demonstrated remarkable leadership in convening educators of color and fostering spaces where authentic dialogue and co-creation can thrive.Their commitment to equity and inclusion has been instrumental in reimagining how educators of color are supported throughout their careers.,” Heather Gingerich, Director of Strategic Initiative Partnerships of College Spark Washington.

[Quote from ESD 105 Representative]:

“The LEADER Impact Network is rooted in the belief that the people closest to the challenges are also closest to the solutions,” said Alma Castillo, Career Readiness Coordinator of ESD 105. “As someone who has worked alongside educators, students, and families across South Central Washington, I know the transformative power of community-led change. This council isn’t just about representation—it’s about building a structure where educators that reflect our communities lead, shape, and sustain equity in our education systems.”

The LEADER Impact Network builds on two years of research and momentum, and with sustained investment from College Spark Washington, it is positioned to support long-term transformation in educator development. The council’s work will help shape policies and practices that create opportunity, strengthen the educator pipeline, and support student success across the region.

About College Spark Washington:

College Spark Washington supports the postsecondary dreams of students and their communities through grantmaking focused on dismantling racism in the education system.