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Area High School Teachers Receive MESA’s Mona Bailey Leadership Award

Auliilani De La Cruz from Mariner High School in Everett and Earle McWright from Washington High School in Tacoma received the 2014 Mona Bailey Teacher Leadership Award at the Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) Board of Directors dinner at Cedarbrook Lodge in SeaTac, Sept. 12.

2014 Mona Bailey Award Winners Earle McWright and Auiilani De La Cruz
2014 Mona Bailey Award recipients Earle McWright and Auliilani De La Cruz accepted Kindle Fires from Amazon employee Alix Hughes (pictured left to right). Photo: Courtesy Washington MESA

The award, sponsored by Washington MESA, was presented by Executive Director James Dorsey and Caroline King of Washington STEM. It was established in 2004 to recognize teacher leadership in mathematics, engineering or science and honor Bailey’s lifetime dedication to education in Washington state. A relentless advocate and mentor, she served in many capacities including as Assistant State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Award applicants were evaluated on their leadership and dedication to K-12 students who are underrepresented in science and math, including African American, Native American, Latino, Pacific Islander and female students.

De La Cruz, representing the Seattle MESA Center, was recognized for her use of MESA project-based STEM enrichment to engage and motivate high school students. She is also a pioneer teacher for the computer science enrichment In-Class MESA Model.

McWright, representing the Tacoma MESA Center, teaches the MESA Summer Math Scholars (SMS) program that includes two weeks of intensive math instruction along with year-long tutoring support. He takes the lowest performing students in his school and produces a 95 percent algebra pass rate on statewide assessments. McWright was also named 2014 Teacher of the Year for the Franklin Pierce School District.

Tacoma MESA director JR Nobles, Earle McWright, Board Member Caroline King and Washington MESA Executive Director James Dorsey (left to right)
Tacoma MESA director JR Nobles, Earle McWright, Board Member Caroline King and Washington MESA Executive Director James Dorsey (left to right) Photo: Courtesy Washington MESA

During their remarks, both teachers spoke about the diversity of the students in their classrooms and how they are inspired to use MESA project-based enrichments.

“Working with the MESA program has been humbling and very fulfilling,” McWright said. “The students’ stories and challenges are very similar to those that I faced as a youth growing up in this same community. More than just teaching math, I am thankful for the opportunity to serve as an example of the life-changing power of gaining an education.”

Washington MESA brings resources into K-12 schools to close the academic achievement gap and build a pathway to college and careers in engineering and science. It also provides enriching opportunities and innovative instructional approaches that align with Washington state and national academic standards.