I love my job because every day I learn something new from the people around me — the faculty, staff, students, volunteers and parents of Vashon Island School District. I enjoy casual encounters with more than 1,500 students as I walk the campuses checking in on student experiences and on staff and faculty well-being. I am inspired and stimulated by thoughtful conversations with students, faculty, parents and community members about their concerns and ideas that address our ongoing challenges.

I love my job because I am surrounded by a hardworking team of people who focus on relationships first and are never satisfied with the status quo. They know that authentic relationships and a commitment to equity are at the foundation of learning. Together, we are working to more deeply understand our diversity. People of color now make up nearly 25 percent of our student population. With our commitment to racial equity, we are working in partnership with people of color in our community to learn about the intrapersonal and institutional barriers to equity and are developing plans to strengthen access to our programs for all students.

I have the deepest respect and admiration for our teachers and principals, who are committed to the development of the whole child. Lessons are conducted with connections to real world experiences that bring learning to life. We leverage our natural classrooms in our forests, gardens and ponds. We support students in becoming leaders of their own learning and encourage them to engage in projects that contribute to the quality of life in our community and world. We focus on citizenship, community and providing the skills to develop meaningful and respectful relationships. We ensure that there are appropriate challenges and opportunities for all students to explore and pursue their own passions. Our outstanding counseling and guidance team helps students navigate the inevitable personal and practical challenges of growing up.

I love the aromas wafting through our halls from our school kitchens. Our chefs have a deep passion for providing home-cooked breakfasts and lunches from fresh, whole foods each day. Nearly 22 percent of our students qualify for a free/reduced breakfast and lunch, and we serve thousands of breakfasts and lunches to our students each week. We make sure our students are well-nourished and ready to learn each day.

I am proud to stand for schools where no one tolerates harassment or bullying. Our administrators and teachers, our students and our parents and community are so deeply committed to the health and well-being of all of our children. Our continuing resolve to support a school community culture of caring, compassion and concern for one another is steadfast.

I am so fortunate to live and work in a community that takes a strong interest in education and that supports partnerships that bring the community into our classrooms to make our school experiences richer and stronger. I am grateful for our partners including our PTSA, Vashon Schools Foundation, Partners in Education, Vashon Youth & Family Services, Vashon Nature Center and Vashon Center for the Arts to name just a few. And I am thankful to the deeply committed men and women who represent the Vashon Island community on our school board.

I am also grateful to you, our taxpayers and voters, who commit millions of local dollars to ensuring the financial stability of our school district and adequate facilities to support the programs the community values. I have the highest regard for this public trust and take very seriously my job as the community’s steward of these resources.

I love my job because my work is all about building a better future by making sure every child thrives. More than 12 percent of our students are “differently-abled” and qualify for special education programs and support services. Our talented team of special educators, psychologists, speech therapists, occupational therapists and nurses develop individual learning plans for each of these students and work with all teachers and staff to implement effective program options.

We represent a learning community in which every student is individually known and supported to pursue a desired future. I am grateful to work in a community where our parents work as hard as our other partners to advocate for pathways for success for every student.

I am looking forward to another school year, and I invite you to get involved by volunteering in our classrooms, joining our partner organizations, engaging in conversations about our future and sending us your children ready to learn each day. Thank you for your continuing support of our schools.

— Michael Soltman is the superintendent of Vashon Island School District.