Finch named Ag Educator of the Year

Published 10:59 pm Monday, May 25, 2009

Sumner High School agriculture/science teacher Rusty Finch was been named a 2009 Educator of the Year in a May 20 ceremony at Bates Technical College in Tacoma, Wash.

The award was presented by the Pierce County Chapter of the Washington Association of Vocational Administrators, said Ann Cook, communications director for the Sumner School District.

“Rusty has worked to develop Career and Technical Education (CTE) frameworks that correspond with state 10th-grade science standards,” said CTE Director Sarah Briehl. “He is a great advocate for the integration of agriculture and science competencies.”

Bill Gaines, SHS principal, said Finch has the ability to motivate all students, shows a passion for teaching and helps students relate their learning to the world around them.

Also during the ceremony, Kaylyn Brown, a senior at Bonney Lake High School, received a Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) scholarship grant for her study in family and consumer science.

She is one of three students from the 31st Legislative District that has been awarded up to two years of free tuition at a Washington public or private college or vocational school of their choice.

Established by the Legislature in 1984, the WAVE awards pay undergraduate educational tuition for two years (six quarters or four semesters) at an accredited public or private college or university or licensed private vocational school. Students are reimbursed for their actual tuition costs – capped at $6,720 per year.