An interview with Christie Sears:
A Lifetime of Service to our Children
Interviewer:  James Steller

Introduction by the Author: 
I first met Christie about 5 years ago as I joined the Coupeville Schools Foundation.  She has been a tireless servant to the foundation and each of you  likely have been touched by her wonderful handwritten thank you notes of gratitude for your support.
 
Just recently, Christie and Gordon  announced they wanted to help boost our Foundation's fundraising efforts by offering up to a $5000 match for all donations that are raised at the 2021 Coupeville Run & Ride (and Re-Unite) event on September 5th.  What a generous gift!  It inspired me to do two things - 1) maximize the donations from the community and 2) I would love for people to know Christie better and what inspires her to be so deeply involved with our community.  

Please enjoy an interview with Christie Sears!

First, thank you for this generous matching donation.   Tell us why?

Both Gordon and I are excited to support the Coupeville Run & Ride (and Reunite).  We want to generate financial support from the community and help to get the word out about the event anyway we can.  

​In its 5th year, this fundraiser is important to the Foundation and therefore our schools.  Even more so as the previous matching donor is no longer able to continue.  

Tell us more about your background in education and how you came to Whidbey

I have been an educator and student counselor for my entire professional career, starting in 1975!  I started as a middle school teacher when an opportunity arose 9 years in.  The High School counselor position opened and it just so happened I was working through my masters in Counseling Psychology which made for a natural fit.  I filled the position - it was a great opportunity, I loved the work, and stayed in counseling for the rest of my career.

​In 2000, I had the opportunity to come to Coupeville  as the high school counselor.  Gordon, my husband, and I had already fallen in love with Whidbey on previous adventures and had purchased land awaiting retirement.  My husband said that this area reminded him of Sequim when he was growing up - farming, the water, the mountains.  I served as the school counselor until retirement in 2011.

What was the most rewarding part about being a counselor?

I started out considering a major in criminal justice, thinking that I wanted to work with juvenile offenders.  As I settled on a major, I decided that education was a better fit than law enforcement.  And as an educator, I would get to work with all students, including those who have had brushes with the criminal justice system.  I am happy that I made the transition to school counseling.  This was very interesting and rewarding work, helping students to succeed and helping my school be the type of institution that cared for and fostered success for all students.  I think both parts are important….working with students and families, as well as working with the systems, faculty and leadership in a school to create a great place for kids.

You serve on two non-profit boards:  The Coupeville Schools Foundation & the actual Coupeville School Board...How did that happen?

As the HS counselor, I was already familiar with the support of the Coupeville Schools Foundation to our students.  Following my retirement, Chic (Merwine, the president of the board and still a very active member) asked if I wanted to join the board and I immediately said yes in order to continue supporting our schools!  The relationships with the board members and the difference we make has been so fulfilling.  

A few years ago, when Don Sherman was retiring from the Coupeville School Board - I was asked about temporarily filling the position.  After talking with current board members and thinking about it, I figured it was something I could do and would like to do!  It turned out that I was the person selected for the position (and later elected) and I really enjoyed it.  Although I had a career in education, I have learned a lot through board service.  I strongly believe in good public schools and that a community is defined by how they support children and education.  Everyone in a community has a stake in how the next generations are supported.

What do you find is the "magic" about Coupeville?

During my time at the HS, I came to admire and respect the leadership and staff of the district. Some years ago, the district logo included “Pride of the Island”.  I think that is true.  I saw how excellent and dedicated the teachers were, the support of the community and the pride they took in their schools, and the great students who are here. 

I am so happy to have spent the last 11 years of my career in Coupeville and I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the district and community in new roles since retiring.  It is clear and evident that this community cares about its students. 

Beyond the schools, we are really happy to be living in Coupeville.  Coupeville has great people who are quick to give support and to volunteer for a variety of causes, have deep appreciation for preservation, history, culture, and natural beauty. 

​We live in a community of interesting people who bring talents and skills in many areas and choose to live here….and of course the  families who have been here for generations and share their history with the rest of us! 

Thank you for sharing your history and passion with us.  Again, I can't thank you both enough for your support to the Coupeville Run & Ride.  Any final words?

This event is really neat in that it promotes "togetherness" of our community and our students.  I really hope it is super successful and look forward to seeing everyone out there!