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

 03/26/02

NEWS RELEASE
Auburn School Board Recognizes
Cascade Middle School Principal Randy DeKoker

On Monday, March 25, the Auburn School Board of Directors recognized Randy DeKoker, principal of Cascade Middle School, for his leadership and commitment to public education.   While earning his education degree at Western Washington College, Mr. DeKoker student taught fourth grade at North Auburn Elementary School in the spring of 1975.  Upon graduation, he then taught fourth grade and coached high school football and junior high basketball in Cathlamet, Washington, for two years.  Mr. DeKoker was hired by Auburn School District in 1977 to teach fourth grade at Pioneer Elementary School.  After two years, he transferred to Cascade Junior High to teach seventh and eighth grade history, world geography, and reading.  He also coached football, basketball, and baseball.  After eight years, Mr.DeKoker was hired to be the principal of Lea Hill Elementary School and planning principal for Hazelwood Elementary School.  Principal Dekoker opened Hazelwood in the fall of 1990 and provided quality leadership for nine years before he was asked in 1999 to become principal of Cascade Middle School.  Mr. DeKoker’s personal leadership style is that of a servant leader.  “What success I have had as a school principal is the direct result of the outstanding and dedicated people with whom I have had the privilege to work,” says Mr. DeKoker.  Mr. DeKoker makes it possible for everyone, from the custodian, to the teacher, to the PTA person, to be involved at school and to fulfill their responsibilities in the best way they can.  He is highly skilled at empowering others - recognizing strengths and passions in staff and volunteers and then utilizing that expertise and energy.  Deputy superintendent, Dr. Kip Herren, sums it all up by observing that “Mr. DeKoker is a talented leader whose love of kids is a legacy to our community.”

For more information, contact Superintendent Linda Cowan at (253) 931-4914.