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

2/26/08

NEWS RELEASE
Auburn School District's Board of Directors
Honors Staff Member Francy Sullivan

The Auburn School District Board of Directors recognized Francy Sullivan, school counselor at West Auburn High School, for her outstanding service on Monday, February 25, at 7 p.m. in the board room at the James P. Fugate Administration Building.

It seems as if everyone in Francy Sullivan’s family is an educator: her father, brother, son, niece and stepsiblings. Currently providing counseling services at West Auburn High School, Francy sometimes chuckles at her “inevitable” fate as an educator since she used to tell herself growing up, “I’m never going to do that.” As a teacher, principal and then district administrator, Francy’s dad used to drive all the neighborhood kids to school when they lived in a small Minnesota town of 2,500. “We’d all pile in dad’s car,” recalls Francy, “and go to the same campus for school.”

Francy graduated from high school in Iowa and pursued her undergraduate studies at the University of Iowa. “It took me 16 years to get my BA because I married and started my family, which sidetracked me,” smiles Francy. Francy also earned a masters in substance abuse from the University of Iowa and shortly thereafter moved to Auburn, as her parents and siblings had moved to the Pacific Northwest when she was in college.

Francy’s professional background in drug and alcohol counseling and mental health counseling secured her a job at Auburn Youth Resources upon her arrival. She discovered that she enjoyed working with adolescents and their families, so she went back to school and earned her school counseling certification. In 1991 West Auburn moved into its brand-new building, and Francy was hired as the school counselor.

Over her 17 years of service at West Auburn, Francy can faithfully say she’s never been bored on the job. “I really do have a new job every year when I come back,” says Francy, “because whenever there is a change in building programs or there is something new we must focus on, it changes what I do. I really like finding a way to make it work.” Francy comes to work every day prepared to tackle whatever comes her way. She considers herself an informational resource and problem-solver for students and their families, whether it is to help a student schedule the right courses or provide a reference for a therapist.

Francy appreciates the team-based community at West Auburn and attributes the students’ success to this environment. “Students come here because the traditional setting has not worked for them in some way. West Auburn staff helps them get as far as possible with their education and makes school a positive experience.” Francy and her colleagues create a personalized setting for every student, which encourages communication between students and staff. “We offer our students hope and show them there is a way. That makes this building very special,” remarks Francy.

Francy does not have one defining moment in her time at West Auburn, but graduation day is one of her favorite times. It is a milestone for all students, but especially for those who may be the first member of their family to earn a high school diploma. Francy also enjoys visiting with former students who return to campus, “shining and happy,” as she puts it.

In Francy’s spare time, she works part-time for Auburn Youth Resources in the drug and alcohol intervention program. She believes the professional connection keeps her abreast of changes and trends in the field. She also keeps current on her mental health and chemical dependency licenses—not because she is required to have them, but because she believes they help her practice with a more holistic approach. “I want to be the best counselor I can be,” says Francy.

The core of Francy’s personal life is her family, eight grandchildren and friends, who, according to Francy, “are awesome and simply the best. They are my roots and wings.”

For more information contact Amy Spence, public information officer, at 253-931-4713.