When Mark Haddock leaves his Kent School District position this year, he’ll leave local schools on a more level playing field than when he arrived.
The assistant superintendent for learning and school improvement will retire as an administrator at the end of the month and take up a teaching job at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey. According to district Superintendent Barbara Grohe, he has made the most of his six years in Kent, working to improve opportunities for students and district-community collaboration.
“He’s been an outstanding contributor to our school district,” Grohe said. “His dedication to making sure that all children have a chance to succeed has shown itself through the curriculum and his work with the Alliance for Diversity and Equity. We’re going to miss him.”
Among his many responsibilities, Haddock has headed up the alliance for the past six years. It’s a committee comprised of district staff and community members, and focused on ensuring equal opportunities for district students and staff of all nationalities and backgrounds. Alliance member Maya Vengadasalam, who first worked with Haddock to improve education conditions for Sikh students, said his commitment to the cause mirrors his commitment to his overall job.
“With all efforts, Dr. Haddock ensures that the entire district pay attention to cultural relevancy at all times, whether it is through translation/interpretation services, one-on-one meetings, parent forums with community members, or through dissemination of information at key meetings,” Vengadasalam wrote to nominate the administrator for a South King County award.
Haddock recently won that honor for which Vengadasalam nominated him – the Outstanding Achievement in Leadership at the Community/System Level award. The award comes from a King County public entity called SOAR, a community alliance that focuses on helping local children and youth.
Haddock also recently won the Washington Association of School Administrators Student Achievement Leadership Award and the Kent Area Council PTA’s Outstanding Educator Award.
Haddock, 59, grew up in Oak Harbor, serving four years in the Navy after high school before attending Western Washington University for his undergraduate degree. Haddock said he got into education because he saw a lot of potential in young people.
“I think primarily it was to try and tap the potentials I see in people and bring those to fruition, especially those I see in children and young adults,” Haddock said. “The other part is that I enjoy being with children and young adults. You’re always learning with those young people who are always willing to ask you why.”
Haddock went on to earn his Master’s Degree at Whitworth University in Spokane and his doctorate at University of Washington in education psychology, becoming an education professor at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey. He started his Kent position in 2002, and six years later said he feels good about his time with the district.
“I think the highlights center around developing greater equities of opportunity for all of our students and staff, and working with community agencies and other programs within the district to develop a more integrated approach to education,” Haddock said. “One of the things I leave Kent with is that I enjoyed richly the diversity of the community that we serve.”
He said he’s hopeful for the district’s future and was confident in the fellow administrators he’ll leave behind. Marri Rieger, currently the director of high-school improvement, will step into his position next year.
“I leave Kent knowing that there are a tremendous number of people in the district and the community that are competent and caring, and I’ll miss those people,” Haddock said. “I believe the district is in a place where it can continue to move forward and become even stronger than it is now.”
The Olympia resident will return to Saint Martin’s in the fall to teach, and also plans to spend more time with his wife, son and grandchild. He said he already has one important personal project he plans on completing.
“I have a tree house project planned with my granddaughter,” he said. “We already have the tree picked out and everything.”
Contact Daniel Mooney at 253-437-6012 or dmooney@reporternewspapers.com.
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