Auburn School District No. 408
915 4th Street Northeast, Auburn, WA  98002

 02/20/02

NEWS RELEASE
School Board of Directors to Recognize
Ilalko Elementary Learning Specialist, Vickie Leaf

On Monday, February 25, the Auburn School Board of Directors will recognize Ilalko Elementary School learning specialist, Vickie Leaf, for her outstanding dedication to her students.  Vickie began her teaching career with Auburn School District, starting as a second grade teacher at Alpac Elementary in 1986.  She taught both first, second, and first/second grade combination classes at Alpac Elementary until 1992, when she transferred to the new school, Ilalko Elementary.  At Ilalko, Ms. Leaf has been a first and second grade classroom teacher, school librarian, and, currently, a learning specialist. She is renown for working hard with children to give every one of them a variety of learning experiences.  She spends many hours beyond the school day working on lessons, preparing activities, or helping a staff member with some aspect of technology.  Mrs. Leaf is always finding activities that will inspire her students to test their skills and knowledge.  “Ms. Leaf demonstrates to all of us the importance of always attempting a new and different way of learning through technology and integrating it with our standard teaching practices,” says colleague, Steve Christiansen.  She has taught technology club after school to enrich the students of Ilalko with a knowledge of expanding their comfort zone with different computer programs.”  This year, Ms. Leaf developed an evening activity that displayed technologies from the past to the present.  This interactive evening had children and their parents playing with and learning about the various forms of technology that have been used in our society.  “Vickie Leaf is the epitome of what a teacher should be.  Her dedication to creating meaningful, yet original lessons is above and beyond the expected.  Her years of teaching allow her the opportunities to observe the students’ needs and deal with them in an individualized manner,” said Ilalko principal, Terry Cheshire.

For more information, contact Ilalko Elementary School Principal Terry Cheshire at (253) 931-4748.