It was a particularly emotional commencement ceremony for Highline Public School’s New Start High on June 12.

The school’s beloved science teacher, Beverly Mowrer is leaving the school…and the district.
Mowrer, who gave an inspirational commencement speech aided by a full box of tissues, noted to the students and staff, “I’m not ready to be done with you guys or the district or the community.”

But four years ago when she came down to Highline to from the small farming town of Bow, just south of Bellingham, she promised her husband it would be only for a year.

She’s rented a basement bedroom in Normandy Park from a fellow Highline teacher. She braved the 3-4 hour commute back to Bow every Friday night. The Monday morning return trip was easier—1-½ hours.

Her husband sat down recently and figured out they have spent an extra $20,000 the past four years so she could teach in Burien.

While she is done teaching in Highline, she has eight more years to go until she can collect full retirement benefits.

As of commencement day, she hadn’t yet applied for another teaching job.

“I’ve been too busy getting these guys graduated,” Mowrer explained.

She shouldn’t have too much trouble getting hired on elsewhere.

Her resume should probably start with the Stanley O. McNaughton Award. As part of its annual Golden Apple Awards, KCTS TV singles out one educator or program in Washington state whose commitment inspires academic or vocational success.

This year, out of 200 individuals and programs nominated by public and private schools throughout the state, Mowrer was selected for the special award.

Golden Apple officials said Mowrer is known for her innovative approach to teaching and her ability to rally the community around her students.

“The community wants to be involved,” Mowrer explains. “

The Golden Apple web page noted her New Start students were on the verge of dropping out of school. Some are homeless, tangled in the legal system or financially stressed, the web page added.

“Teaching is not my job—it’s my calling,” Mowrer told the judges.

Her resume should move on to her 2011 Gold Star Award as the Highline district’s outstanding teacher of the year.

Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence judges cited her ability to identify and work with each student’s individual needs be it transportation, clothing or study skills. They added that Mowrer seeks out resources no matter how much time and efforts it takes.

Mowrer’s application should also mention that she and her students were named King County Earth Heroes because of a three-week project in 2010 restoring habitat at Salmon Creek and Salmon Park Ravine.

About 20 high-schoolers cleared invasive blackberries and English ivy as apart of a hands-on science curriculum.

At the time Mowrer said, “I think everyone was shocked and impressed by how hard the kids worked.”

How does Mowrer feel about all the awards?

“With all those unsung heroes out there, I’m embarrassed,” Mowrer, admits.

But she realizes the accolades help attract grants, which in turn help the kids. So far this year, the school has received $2,700 in grant funds.

Before coming to New Start, Mowrer had not taught in alternative program. But she said as the only female in high school science departments, she usually ended up with the tough students.

Though she describes herself as a “goody two-shoes” as a teenager, Mowrer said she had five rowdy brothers.

She reaffirms that teaching—especially alternative school kids is her calling.

“I ‘get’ them,” she explains. “I have the right type of personality.”

Mowrer says it also helps to have an offbeat sense of humor and be able to remember what it was like to be a kid.

In alternative schools, teachers can’t always stick to a prepared lesson plan, according to Mowrer.

“You have to be on your toes,” Mowrer said. “You have to access where they are.”

Many of the students have missed a lot of school before transferring to New Start so it is difficult to figure out what they know, she noted.

That’s why learning about science by working on habitat restoration isn’t that strange, according to Mowrer.

“These kids have street smarts but they haven’t thought about how it all fits together,” Mowrer declared.

In her commencement speech, Mowrer urged the graduates to persevere.

“Getting here was not easy but you did it,” Mowrer reminded them.
Mowrer also assured the students, “Although I am leaving, I am keeping you with me.”