The students in small school districts that most of us never hear of — far-flung districts off in the Columbia River Gorge, underfunded districts in need of teachers or technical expertise or even bus drivers — were the students Twyla Barnes always kept uppermost in her mind.
Barnes’ two decades of leadership at Educational Service District 112, based in Vancouver but focused on equity for all 30 school districts in Southwest Washington, were the main reason why she won the Clark County First Citizen Award for 2014. She was honored at a ceremony hosted by The Community Foundation for Southwest Washington and The Columbian on Tuesday evening at the Hilton Vancouver Washington.
“The ESD is a builder of districts working together to save money and provide opportunities,” she said. “In Southwest Washington, we can be very proud of the fact that our school districts use public money wisely.”
“She is an amazing ambassador for public education,” said Bob Schaefer, the Clark County First Citizen for 2013, who introduced Barnes. It’s said, he noted, that a mediocre teacher tells, a good one explains and a superior one demonstrates. But a great one, he said, inspires — and that’s what Barnes did for many.
“Twyla has contributed so much, in so many ways, to the future leaders of this community,” he said.
But Barnes was also noted for the many community efforts she spearheaded, boards she led, visions of progress she shared — and people she valued. Many of the written testimonials that drove her nomination to the top of the heap mentioned that her leadership style was always warm, personal, friendly and positive.
“She makes people always feel that they have something to offer and they are working on an important project,” said Schaefer.
“She is a confident and quiet leader,” Bob Knight, the president of Clark College, said during a video tribute — and then he confidently and quietly added a special cheer of “Hooya!”
Class by herself
Barnes is noted for leading numerous local, state and national boards and committees, from the YWCA Clark County to the Governor’s Task Force on Children and Youth Services to the national Association of Educational Service Agencies. She has been a special adviser to the U.S. Department of Education.
“Not only has Twyla worked tirelessly as ESD 112’s superintendent for two decades, but many local nonprofits have benefited from her leadership and vibrant energy,” wrote Elson Strahan, president and chief executive officer of the Fort Vancouver National Trust. “She is in a class by herself.”
Renate Atkins, the former CEO of PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, noted that Barnes, who served on the hospital’s board for 12 years, “clearly understands that you cannot educate a child if they are hungry, sick or have insecure housing. Dr. Barnes worked on access to health care for the most vulnerable, food accessibility, early childhood education and childhood mental health issues.”
“Unmatched style and grace,” is how Marcia Fromhold, the widow of Bill Fromhold, ESD 112’s previous superintendent, described Barnes. “In each role, she brought intellect, innovation, a commitment to the Vancouver community and the ability to bring people together to accomplish more than they thought they could.”
Barnes said more than once that running ESD 112 was her “dream job,” and she also mentioned helping to grow the Southwest Washington Child Care Consortium, which was launched by Bill Fromhold at a time when high-tech industry was exploding in Clark County and many plants were operating around the clock. It was a great example of the ESD and the community coming together to satisfy an important need, she said.
Nowadays, the Child Care Consortium is recognized as a national leader and innovator. It has 25 centers that serve close to 2,000 children, Barnes said. Barnes has donated the $1,000 prize that comes with the First Citizen award to the consortium.
Barnes thanked her colleagues and the other professionals she worked with during her career at ESD 112. “Coming to Vancouver is … the best thing I’ve done professionally and personally.
“My 20 years — I don’t know where they went,” she said.
