We are very excited to welcome Lew Dickert back onto our Board after a few years break.
Lew spent nearly 45 years serving students in the Seattle area as an educator and school administrator. While he’s officially retired today, he is still very involved in local education. He serves as a substitute administrator in several districts and also works as an administrative intern supervisor for Seattle Pacific University.
He is married to Kristin Dickert, whom he proudly calls “the most wonderful woman I have ever met.” He has four grown children and recently became a grandpa for the first time! He has been enjoying retirement to the fullest, filling his days with travel, visiting family, and all kinds of sports and outdoor adventures, from snowshoeing to golf. Alongside all this, he is also finding ways to continue giving back to his community. He explains his goals saying, “I dearly love to blend the advantages of retirement with the passion and excitement of serving non-profit organizations and supporting "up and coming" educators.”
That passion to continue making a difference is what led Lew to his new Board posting. He has a long history with Sister Schools, and will provide invaluable insight for newer board members. His Sister Schools story starts way back in 2008. “I was the principal of Fernwood Elementary,” he explains. “My then music teacher, Katherine Berry, introduced me to the program, and we became partners in the creation of Sister Schools "drives", benefit concerts, inventory and shipping of materials. I have served as emcee for the Gala at least three times at the Museum of Flight, emceed no less than eight Benefit concerts, traveled to Uganda in 2014 and 2019, and sponsored a Ugandan student... and still support her tuition in Higher education. I have also conducted presentations in schools to promote their participation in Sister Schools.”
So what keeps Lew engaged, and committed to Sister Schools after all these years? For him, it’s the chance to make a difference in Uganda. “The potential of...deepening and supporting the instruction of literacy in Uganda is my fondest desire,” he says. “I see myself working with Ugandan teacher leaders and administrators to further this cause. AND, I am pretty impressed with the legacy Terry has created!”
We are too! And we’re looking forward to working with Lew to continue honoring that legacy and making a difference for students both in Seattle and in Uganda.
If you, or someone you know, is interested in joining the Board of Directors, we are always looking for talented people who are willing to serve. Please contact governance@sisterschools.org for more information.