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

05/27/03

NEWS RELEASE
Auburn School Board to Recognize
Connie Dove, Learning Assistance Program Math & Reading
Teacher at Mt. Baker Middle School

On Tuesday, May 27, the Auburn School Board of Directors will recognize Connie Dove, Learning Assistance Program (LAP) math and reading teacher at Mt. Baker Middle School for her commitment to education.  Mrs. Dove has had an excellent career providing talent and leadership in several capacities during her tenure with Auburn School District.  Mrs. Dove was born in Ellensburg, graduated from Ellensburg High School, and attended Central Washington University, earning a degree in K-8 Early Childhood Education.  After teaching special education for a year in Lewiston, Idaho, Mrs. Dove earned her masters in education with an emphasis in special education at the University of Idaho while continuing to teach full-time.  In 1975, after three years of teaching in Lewiston, Mrs. Dove moved to the Kent and began her 27-year career with the Auburn School District.  Her first assignment was teaching special education at Alpac Elementary.  Mrs. Dove then taught kindergarten and the Auburn Program for Exceptional Children (APEC) program at Chinook Elementary and moved with the APEC program to Gildo Rey Elementary.  She also worked at Pioneer Elementary as a language arts specialist and staff development specialist.  “I didn’t want to be in any other district, but I liked change within the district,” said Mrs. Dove.  She took a year off with her baby daughter, Joanna, and then returned to Lake View Elementary as a reading specialist.  She served three years as a district-level staff development coordinator.  “I learned a lot about education and curriculum in the position.”  In 1995, missing students, Mrs. Dove accepted a seventh grade teaching position at Mt. Baker Middle School.  “I belong in the schoolhouse.”  For the last three years, she has taught LAP mathematics and language arts at Mt. Baker and really enjoys the smaller groups of students.  “ I love providing my students an academically safe environment in which to read and learn math skills,” said Mrs. Dove.  As a veteran Auburn School District teacher and parent, Mrs. Dove’s commitment to the district is summed, “ I appreciate the consistently high quality of program that are provided to my students and my own child.”  Mt. Baker Middle School principal, Mark Boynton observes about Mrs. Dove, “I consider Mrs. Dove to possess the “entire package” when it comes to professionalism and the ability to work with any student.  She is one of the most student-centered teachers I have ever worked with.”

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