|
|
|
News from the Association of Educational Service Districts
|
|
|
|
September 2026
|
Happy early fall, AESD members!
|
I hope you had a wonderful summer and are ready for a great new school year ahead! As a former school administrator, I love the excitement and energy a fresh year brings. I wish you a smooth start to the school year and look forward to hearing how things are going at our upcoming AESD Executive Board Meeting on September 15.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Member Profile
|
Mehret Tekle-Awarun has worked with local school districts for over 10 years. She advocated for students and families in the Renton area. Then, she joined a large nonprofit called Building Changes. Recently, the organization named her permanent executive director. Her work grew into a statewide initiative with two goals: increase attendance for all students and improve academic outcomes.
|
Mehret sees her election to the Board of Directors at Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) as an extension of her beliefs. She believes every student deserves a fair chance to succeed, no matter their mobility, parental status, or home address. She advocates for the health and well-being of each student in her programs. She believes the school anchors that child's whole community, and every child should feel safe there.
|
Mehret grew up in the connected community of Southeast Seattle. As an Eritrean, she is grateful for that upbringing, which shaped her commitment to justice and belonging.
|
"Many of our clients attend Title I schools," Mehret said. "That often means a high migrant population with significant transitions during the year. Our programs work with principals on prevention efforts and offer funding that rewards schools for meeting attendance and academic goals."
|
Years ago, Mehret worked as a school counselor in a local middle school. "I learned that most problems that prevent regular attendance are not the child's fault," she said. "Family mobility and housing instability cause most attendance problems."
|
"The key to family buy-in is often a home visit, especially when students are young," she said. "We still don't do those often enough. They are a great way to engage the whole family on why school attendance matters."
|
Mehret leads this partnership and is also a wife and mother to two elementary-aged children. She helps with the PTA, too.
|
|
AESD is proud to spotlight Mehret Tekle-Awarun this month. Great work, Mehret!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Handy Links
|
|
|
|
|
Did You Know?
|
In addition to its annual conference each December (this year in Orlando), AESA provides valuable resources, publications, advocacy updates, research, and professional learning opportunities that help members stay informed about emerging educational issues, national trends, and innovative practices from other states.
|
Staying connected to AESA can help ESD board members better understand how educational service agencies contribute to student success nationwide and how our AESD fits within the broader national landscape.
|
To receive AESA publications and member communications directly, visit the AESA Publications page and complete the contact information form:
|
|
Take advantage of this member benefit and stay connected to the important work, emerging trends, and innovative practices shaping educational service agencies across the country.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
