Washougal School District Superintendent Dr. Mary Templeton has been selected as the new superintendent in the Lake Stevens School District, starting July 1, 2024.
The Washougal School Board is proud of Templeton’s tenure in Washougal and her dedication to seeing the district rise during the six years she has served as superintendent. Templeton led the development of the Washougal 2025 Strategic Plan, which asked students, families, staff, and the community to share their hopes and dreams for our students. The plan has guided important work over the past five years, with the district making significant progress toward knowing, nurturing, and challenging all students to rise.
Board president Angela Hancock said, “Through the last six years, Mary has consistently focused on increasing student achievement and opportunities. Her determination to see our students and our district rise to our full potential has led to the highest graduation rate on record. The board deeply appreciates her steady leadership throughout some of the most difficult years we have seen in public education.”
Under her leadership, our district invested in teacher training and rebooted the Professional Learning Community collaboration time, centering this time on practices that directly impact student learning. Through the reinvigorated Professional Learning Community time, teachers have seen stellar growth in student achievement as measured by standardized tests, with 70% of areas measured by the Smarter balanced Assessment showing progress and 82% of areas higher than the state average.
Templeton has championed our Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, investing in project based learning activities that help students develop real-world skills that will serve them in whatever career path they choose. Our robust CTE programs provide dual credit and industry certification opportunities that students can use to reach their goals in skilled trades, higher education, the military, or professional careers.
Templeton has elevated student voice, and increased opportunities for students to participate in leadership at the school and district level, asking students to co-author their educational future. She has engaged with community organizations to build partnerships that strengthen our schools and serve our students. Working with social service, faith-based, and civic organizations, the district makes sure every student has the opportunity to succeed.
In response to student and family feedback about the quality of student meals, Templeton led an initiative to start scratch-made meals for students. This has improved the student experience by serving healthy, chef-inspired meals for students.
Templeton’s passion for serving the whole child led to a focus on engaging students in artistic, creative, vocational, and athletic pursuits that help students develop skills needed to be successful in the workplace. She has helped the Washougal community navigate a number of unprecedented challenges. Through her steady leadership, our district has emerged from the pandemic with strong community support, committed staff, and a vision for a bright future for every student.
The board will meet to create a plan on filling this important role, and once decisions are made, the district will share information with the community.
Washougal, Wash - Washougal High School (WHS) students come together every other week at the after-school craft club, a unique space where students share their passions and learn new skills. Community volunteers and school staff teach crafting skills like knitting, cross-stitching, crocheting, sketching and more to high school participants at each meeting. This January, volunteers with the East County Citizens Alliance (ECCA) facilitated knitting lessons for the teen craft club.
“I love knitting with a group of people, no matter what age,” said Annie Soutter, East County Citizens Alliance (ECCA) volunteer. Soutter mentored craft club members learning to knit this winter. “Getting to have teenagers in the group is not so common, and it just feels really special to have their unbridled energy, creativity, and enthusiasm. It’s really important to create these kinds of multi-generational groups.”
WHS School Counselor Lexie Groves and Associate Principal Mary Andreotti started the club earlier this school year. Each time the club meets, students engage in creative projects and build community. “[Craft club] has really become my favorite part of the month to plan. Getting to invest and spend time with our students while relaxing and creating new projects is both fun and rewarding,” said Groves.
“The mentors were really nice and understanding. They helped us walk through the steps and gave both positive and constructive feedback. The mentors could recognize when the project wasn’t going quite right and provide help,” said Riley, a WHS student and Craft Club participant. Evey, Washougal High School student and a member of the craft club, echoed the same sentiments.
Students take a leadership role by brainstorming topics for future months like creating slime and clay modeling. Students also promote the club to their peers, including managing the club’s social media channel. “We have really built a community, and continue to see new faces all the time,” said Groves.
“I love watching the students’ intense focus and determination when they are working really hard to learn something. And then, seeing that sparkle of accomplishment in their eyes when it all clicks - it’s just really special. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside every time,” said Soutter.
Crafting can bring people of all different ages, personalities, levels of experience, and perspectives into the room. The craft club at Washougal High School promotes intergenerational community building by creating opportunities for students to build strong relationships and a passion for learning alongside adult community volunteers.
“Craft club offers a variety of healthy coping skills through crafting to deal with the stress and challenges in teens’ lives. Beyond the crafts, this club also gives students a space to build healthy relationships with each other and staff,” said Groves.
Riley said her “favorite part is being in a safe and lively place... that students create.”
Volunteers help make great things happen in the craft club and across all Washougal schools. Community members interested in volunteering with the craft club should contact Lexie Groves at lexie.groves@washougalsd.org. For more information about volunteering in Washougal School District, visit the district volunteer page.