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ABOUT US
INTRODUCTION
The Mead Education Foundation is a non-profit organization that has been formed in support of students and staff of the Mead School District. The mission of the foundation is to foster excellence in learning for all students of the Mead School District through private fundraising and the establishment of a permanent endowment. The Mead Education Foundation is a non-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. All donations to the foundation are tax-deductible.
MISSION STATEMENT
By Partnering With The Mead School District And Community, The Mead Education Foundation Will Inspire Educators And Learners By Investing In Innovation And Collaboration.
WHAT WE DO
PRINCIPAL'S CHECKBOOK
Each school is allocated up to $400 per school year. The Foundation allows the school a wide level of discretion to spend your "checkbook" funds to help your students in need.
GRANTS
Each year we review requests, looking for the most innovative, educational and down right awesome projects to fund. Apply for a grant!
PARTNERING WITH THE SCHOOLS
Through teachers volunteering for our board, we can get a in-depth understanding of our schools and the students/teachers we have helped. Don't wait time, volunteer for our board!
SCHOLARSHIPS
Once a year, through the Matthew Hopkins Memorial Fund, the foundation gifts out Scholarships to students. Apply now!
EXPERIENCE
Our board comprises of multiple different talents; teachers, managers, bankers, small business owners, and accountants. Each one brings their own ideas and skill set to our board. .
BOARD MEMBERS
Steve Silbar
Current Board President
Originally from Chicago, Steve moved to Spokane in 2002 from Los Angeles. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a Bachelors degree in Hotel Management and received a Masters degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University in 2011. Steve is a local realtor with John L Scott Real Estate serving his clients since 2016, and has been featured in the NY Times, Fox Business, and on Homelight.com. Prior to real estate, he spent 20 years in the hotel industry managing sales and marketing across the country, and 10 years in the technology field serving hotels. He has recruited and lead sales teams covering North America for multiple organizations and start-ups alike.
Steve is proud to serve on the Mead Education Foundation Board where he has served since 2014. As a father to two children currently enrolled in the district at Highland Middle School and Mead High School, Steve is involved in the district as a supporter and volunteer.
Dr. Irene Gonzales
Retired Board Vice President
Dr. Irene Gonzales is in her 35th year as a professional educator. She currently serves as an Elementary Principal in the Mead School District at Prairie View Elementary. Irene received her bachelor's degree in Education from Washington State University, her master's in Educational Policy and Management from the University of Oregon, and her doctorate in Educational Administration from Washington State University. She is married to Kirk Hirota, a professional photographer and teacher, and has two daughters, Camina and Kimiko.
Irene volunteers to serve on the Mead Education Foundation Board because of her passion to serve students and staff in the Mead School District. Irene learned at an early age the importance of education and always shares with students; “Study and work hard, no one can ever take your education away from you, it is worth investing in yourself.”
Julie Silbar
Past Board President
Julie was born and raised in Spokane and graduated from Mead High School in 1990. She graduated from E.W.U. with a Bachelors degree, received a Masters degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University, and is also a PhD Candidate at Gonzaga. Julie is currently the Service Delivery Quality Manager for Expedia Group. In the 20 years previous to Expedia Group, she worked for American Express, Red Lion Hotels Corporation, West Coast Hospitality and Cavanaugh’s Hospitality.
Julie’s desire to serve on the Mead Education Foundation Board stems from her deep respect for teachers and educators, her tie to Mead High School and her role as mother with a one child at Prairie View Elementary and another child starting in fall of 2015. Julie has served on the Foundation Board since 2012.
Board Member
Coming Soon
Matthew Akers
Keri Hutchens
Board Member
Keri has spent the past eleven years serving the Mead School District as the Director of Human Resources. Keri graduated from Eastern Washington University with her Bachelor’s in HR Management and General Office Management and from Amberton University with her Master’s in Business and Human Relations. Keri is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources since 2005 and a SHRM- Senior Certified Professional since 2015. In addition to the Mead Education Foundation, Keri is a Regional Representative for the Washington School Personnel Association. When Keri isn’t at work, she can be found on her 83-acre ranch with her Husband as her 3 kids are all grown.
Keri volunteers on the board as a way to further assist the employees and students of the Mead School District.
Board Member
Coming Soon