We’re proud to share a recent article from EdWeek writer Elizabeth Heubeck highlighting Cougar Mountain Middle School in Issaquah, home of AWSP’s very own President-Elect, Erin McKee.
Spotlighted in the article is Issaquah School District’s VOICE program, which matches students with local volunteers for one-on-one mentorship and support. The Timber Ridge senior living community is adjacent to Cougar Mountain, creating the perfect opportunity for a local mentorship connection. The article states,
“No one could have predicted the impact these neighbors would have on one another. Before the middle school opened in 2022, students and staff were excited about its state-of-the-art amenities: the airy new gymnasium, a big library with an unobstructed view of the mountains, ample staff parking. Few thought about their neighbors in the senior community or what they might have to offer. But in just a few short years, Timber Ridge residents have played an indispensable role in the lives of their middle school neighbors and vice versa.”
The EdWeek article goes on to describe Principal Erin McKee’s enthusiasm for fostering the connection between Cougar Mountain and Timber Ridge. While teaching in Japan earlier in her career, Ms. McKee witnessed preschools operating in buildings that also served as residencies for older adults, and saw the potential parallels for her own community.
Read the full article from EdWeek.
Image above by Kaylee Domzalski/Education Week
