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

 05/21/02

NEWS RELEASE
Auburn School Board of Directors to
Recognize West Auburn Teacher, Don Wilson

On Tuesday, May 28, the Auburn School Board of Directors will recognize Don Wilson, industrial arts teacher at West Auburn High School, for his tremendous gift to teaching and his students.  Mr. Wilson was raised in an education environment in Lapeer, Michigan - his father was a teacher and his mother was a school librarian.  After graduating from Lapeer High School, Mr. Wilson attended Western Michigan and then graduated from Purdue University with a teaching certificate in secondary education and a major in industrial arts and a minor in science.  After owning a jewelry making business that funded his college costs, Mr. Wilson began his teaching career in Kuna School District in Boise, Idaho, teaching industrial arts, woodworking, drafting, and building construction for five years.  In 1986, Mr. Wilson moved to the Pacific Northwest to teach auto mechanics, art, and woodworking at WAHS.  He has focused on developing hands-on curriculum that is conducive to supporting and engaging students that might have difficulty in a regular classroom setting.  He currently teaches woodworking, jewelry, horticulture, and the evening Bridges class.  Mr. Wilson’s enthusiasm for teaching is very evident.  “I love to come to work – I love my profession,” says Mr. Wilson.  He is a great communicator with his students and uses humor to uplift their spirits.  He takes time in his workday to talk with students about their issues and concerns.  Gordon O’Dell, executive director of student learning, and Mr. Wilson’s principal for several years, observes that, “Mr. Wilson is a very creative teacher who has developed successful industrial arts and horticulture programs.  In his horticulture program, he has created a composting, organic garden program that has initiated community support and garnered acclaim.  King County Executive Ron Sims recently publicly lauded the program developed by Mr. Wilson.  Additionally, Mr. Wilson is very committed to his students.”  Mr. Wilson’s wife, Christine, is also a teacher; she teaches business at Auburn Riverside High School.

For more information, contact Linda Cowan, superintendent of Auburn Schools, at (253) 931-4914.