ARLINGTON — A teacher and a parent from the Arlington School District have been honored by Sno-Isle Region 109 of the Washington Association of School Principals for their contributions to education.

Brett Sarver, Arlington High School Career and Technical Education Director, received the Student Achievement Leadership Award, while volunteer Kristy Ewell received the Community Leadership Award.

Sarver has worked a teacher and a CTE Director in the Arlington School District since 1992. He was praised by WASA for his “history of doing what is best for kids,” and for implementing “innovative” CTE programs for students.

Sarver was described as being instrumental in starting one of the first Microsoft network certification programs at the high school level in the nation, thereby affording many Arlington students training and experiences never before given to high school students.

Within the past two years, Sarver has worked tirelessly to implement and fund a manufacturing engineering program. WASA deemed him “a positive leader who empowers teachers and industry professionals to collaborate in determining the most appropriate direction for the program.”

WASA went on to cite the bonds between AHS and the community that have developed under Sarver, as they’ve worked together to provide relevant and applicable career training for students, in order to furnish them with competitive opportunities “beyond their high school years.”

To date, the community support Sarver has generated has yielded approximately $60,000 in donations and funded equipment such as a CNC wood router and metal mill, tooling, materials and software, as well as a 3-D printer and top-of-the-line CAD Software.

Ewell was singled out for serving at each school that her children have attended, beginning at Eagle Creek Elementary, when her oldest daughter entered kindergarten 12 years ago. This volunteerism has only increased through middle and high school with both of her children.

Ewell has taken on a variety of roles in the classroom, helping with students and special events alike, but in spite of her willingness to lend a hand, WASA noted her tendency to shy away from the spotlight.

Ewell has continued her support for education by serving on the Arlington Public Schools Advisory Council for Education, where her insights and thought-provoking questions were credited with assisting the committee in making quality decisions. She also volunteers uncounted hours in support of AHS’s music and drama programs, in addition to her involvement in PTA and the Booster Club. She’s even pitched in with the landscaping around the new performing arts center.

According to WASA, “Kristy’s history of service to Arlington Schools and the community benefits us all. She is tireless in her commitment and positive in her outreach to staff, students, and parents, as she continues to strengthen the educational opportunities for all students.”