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.

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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. .

who we are

BOARD MEMBERS

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Steve Silbar

Board President

Originally from Chicago, Steve moved to Spokane in 2002 from Los Angeles. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a bachelor's degree in Hotel Management and received a Masters in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University in 2011. Steve is a local realtor with John L Scott Real Estate, and he has been serving his clients since 2016. He was a TV host on American Dream TV and has been featured in the NY Times, Fox Business, and Homelight.com. Before real estate, he spent 20 years in the hotel industry managing sales and marketing nationwide and 10 years in the technology field serving hotels. He has recruited and led 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 of a 2024 Mead HS graduate and a Freshman at Mead High School, Steve is involved in the district as a supporter, volunteer, and proud parent.

Jennifer Sicilia

Vice President

Coming Soon

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.

Coming Soon

Board Member

Heather Havens serves as Assistant Superintendent of Learning and Teaching in the Mead School District. Before joining Mead, Heather served as a teacher and principal assistant in Spokane Public Schools, where she honed her skills in fostering student success and supporting students and educational staff. With a passion for innovative teaching practices and a commitment to academic excellence, Heather is dedicated to removing barriers and providing opportunities for success for ALL students.

Heather is proud to serve on the Mead Education Foundation. She understands the complexities of being a teacher and is excited to be a part of an organization that is committed to providing tools and resources to enhance their practice.

Heather Havens

Board Member

Dan Kolbet was born and raised in Spokane, attending North Central High School. He earned a BA in Journalism, with a minor in History in 2001 from Gonzaga University. He went on to earn an MBA from the University of Phoenix in 2010. Dan has served in many different roles at Avista Corp since 2007, including Communications Manager, Human Resources Manager, Operations Manager and Employee Experience Program Manager.

Dan has two boys in the Mead School District, and two grown daughters. As a hobby novelist, Dan has published seven novels, with more on the way. Dan is excited to serve on the Mead Education Foundation since 2023, helping educators and students.