Scott Seaman [00:00:02] Well we are super excited today to launch the kickoff here of AWSP’s TV news studio and we have an incredible guest here at AWSP, former Governor Christine Gregoire. [00:00:22] Super excited to have you here today, can’t wait to talk about education and the important role we play in this system. [00:00:30] And with me is one of AWSP’s rock stars Roz Thompson. Roz Thompson [00:00:34] Roz Thompson right here Director of Government Relations. [00:00:36] Happy to be here. Scott Seaman [00:00:38] So Governor Gregoire thank you so much for being here. [00:00:40] Why don't you just give us a quick update on what you've been doing since you left office. Christine Gregoire [00:00:45] Well I've been involved in a number of things. [00:00:48] I did a little bit of teaching back east. [00:00:51] I've been involved with Hutch Cancer Center. [00:00:53] But most importantly my time is spent with what's called Challenge Seattle, which is 18 CEOs of the largest companies in the area greater Seattle area who are just dedicated to making the community better. [00:01:08] They're all for the most part global companies, you know Microsoft, Starbucks, Amazon, and so on but they really want to get back to that community make the community stronger and so they asked me to do it and I'm enjoying it. [00:01:21] I'm still serving. Scott Seaman [00:01:23] Yeah and I think because of your role with Challenge Seattle Seattle has helped you be here with us today. [00:01:29] Because of their passion for education and yours. Christine Gregoire [00:01:31] Right. [00:01:32] So we have four programs that we work on but the one that was most embraced by the CEOs was education. [00:01:41] And they really they don't like hiring from out of state and out of country they want to hire from their own backyard. [00:01:50] And so in discussions with them I've said then you need to make sure these kids have the qualifications that they do what they need to do to prepare so that they can compete for those jobs. [00:02:01] And they really very much want to do that so now they do tours for the students twice a year, now they bring them in. [00:02:09] They have them do a project which shows the kids the connection between what they're learning in a classroom and how important it is in the workaday world. [00:02:17] We're working with our teachers now for a career connected learning a three weeks summertime program so that they can really connect the classroom to a business. [00:02:28] And now we want to help our principals because we really fundamentally believe if you have a good school it's got a good principal if you've got a good principal you've got a good school. [00:02:39] So we want to do what we can to support and learn from the principals. Scott Seaman [00:02:43] Oh, well that is just super exciting. Roz Thompson [00:02:45] I know, it's great to hear. [00:02:46] That's a quote. [00:02:47] We've got to put that on our website, lets do that, we’re going to do that. Scott Seaman [00:02:50] So when you think back to the things that you championed as governor around education, what are some of those are still right on top of your list now? Christine Gregoire [00:02:59] So I right off the first year I put together a Education Task Force it was really quite broad and we were looking at how do we make sure that every single one of our students graduates from high school and aspires to something beyond that then have to be a four year degree, it can be a certification, it can be any number of things but how can we make that happen. [00:03:25] And it was an interesting interesting education going through and landing on you know what the best thing we can do is start focusing on early childhood education if we want that is our ultimate outcome, we've got to get it right in early childhood education. [00:03:42] So we put together a high quality early childhood education program through a Department of Early Childhood Education which was one of the only ones in the country and we're ranked one of the top two early childhood programs in the country. [00:03:59] It's now been put together with an agency that deals with child abuse and neglect, but nonetheless a focus on that. [00:04:07] We also took a really sharp look at it because of obviously the lawsuit. [00:04:13] How long had it been since we had really defined what constitutes basic education because the court has always said that's the purview of the legislature. [00:04:23] And if you looked at it back then it was pretty antiquated. [00:04:26] So we tried our best, reached out, tried to redefine it in a way that was really supportive. [00:04:33] First and foremost of the students then of the teachers and the principals to make sure that we were putting together something that would call for new funding, there was no question about it, but new funding that would achieve the outcomes that the whole system is striving to achieve which was make sure every single student graduates from high school and then pursued something that will fulfill their lifetime dreams. Scott Seaman [00:04:59] Which is directly connected to current ambitions and goals which Challenge Seattle. Christine Gregoire [00:05:03] Correct. [00:05:04] Correct. [00:05:05] Right. [00:05:05] So I have tried to share with my CEOs in Challenge Seattle that there are two things that are really quite challenging in a legislative arena, because there are two subjects that every legislator is an expert on. [00:05:21] One is transportation because they drive a car and the other is education because they went to school and to try and convince legislators that it is a completely different day then maybe what they went to school or even when they had a legitimate in-depth contact with the school and the burden that's being placed now on teachers and principals inside that school house, it's a whole different world. [00:05:47] So we really need to listen to the principals and the teachers and the students, get a good understanding of what will be needed for them to achieve success, and that's why these CEOs want to get in there and learn as much as they support the principals by seeing firsthand the responsibilities and the challenges of these principals and see how they might help them. Scott Seaman [00:06:09] Yeah, and we’re excited for that partnership. [00:06:12] To pair up CEO’s with practicing principals that's exciting. [00:06:16] One other partnership Roz was suggesting this year was legistators and principals. Roz Thompson [00:06:20] Yes. [00:06:21] I had somebody suggest that every legislators should have a principal partner. [00:06:25] And I'm like that's a brilliant idea with 147 legislators, let's get 147 principals and match them up. [00:06:30] And so if there's a question about what is the impact of this policy in a building call up your principal partner and ask what you know how would this impact your students and your staff. Christine Gregoire [00:06:40] Absolutely yeah. Roz Thompson [00:06:41] And so we're working on that. Christine Gregoire [00:06:43] That's terrific, you got some. Roz Thompson [00:06:46] Oh absolutely. [00:06:46] Some naturally happen and they tell me I always call so and so, great. Christine Gregoire [00:06:50] Or you have some that taught. [00:06:52] So you got some but really really what you're talking about is giving them the first hand exposure to really what's going on inside that schoolhouse today which for me is a completely different world than when I went to school. [00:07:07] So if we really want to help then we need to understand and we need to have a relationship and we need to look to the experts to help the legislature and the governor really make the best policy decisions. Roz Thompson [00:07:17] Yeah, understand how that impacts it. [00:07:18] Yeah right. [00:07:20] I remember seeing you years ago and I forget the bill name but you were signing the bill in the Auburn High School gym. [00:07:29] Was that do you remember signing that bill? Christine Gregoire [00:07:31] I do, but I can't remember the bill. Roz Thompson [00:07:34] I don't know if that was the prototypical model or the something something it was a significant bill. [00:07:39] But I was thinking back to when I’d last seen you and you were an Auburn Trojan, and I was an Auburn Trojan. [00:07:45] Very exciting, very exciting! Scott Seaman [00:07:46] I'm feeling a little left out all of a sudden. Roz Thompson [00:07:47] You didn't go to Auburn. [00:07:49] So. Christine Gregoire [00:07:50] We’re a few years apart. Roz Thompson [00:07:53] It's colors have changed perhaps since then, but do you have a favorite memory from high school? Christine Gregoire [00:08:00] Well I'm not sure it's a favorite memory. [00:08:03] It's a memorable one where, back in my day of going to Auburn High School we were a relatively small high school compared to for example Renton, which was a single high school in the Renton area and dominated sports absolutely dominated sports. [00:08:22] And we just got kicked in every sport you can imagine pretty good at basketball but football we just struggled mightily. [00:08:31] And I remember I believe it was my last year, we had not made a touchdown, forget had not won, we had not made a single touchdown and we went to Kent Maridian High School at the time for what we called the Apple Cup at the time and we had this final game. [00:08:52] And one of our players I think got a little confused when the ball got into his hands and ran pretty much the length of the field and got a touchdown and we were cheering like you can't imagine, and we looked over at the Kent Meridian folks and they were like why are you cheering? [00:09:12] He just made a touchdown for us. [00:09:14] So their score went up by 6, we got nothing for it but we were happy because no matter what it was a touchdown. Roz Thompson [00:09:23] Oh, that is great. Christine Gregoire [00:09:25] Yeah, not one not one that you want to have as your fond memory. Roz Thompson [00:09:27] Yeah, well i’ve always known that about you, that you were at Auburn Trojan so a lot of great memories. Scott Seaman [00:09:33] You're sitting here today in the AWSP principal's office, did you ever get sent to the principal's office at Auburn for any naughty behavior? Christine Gregoire [00:09:41] uh, no. Scott Seaman [00:09:42] I mean Roz spent a lot of time in the principal’s office. Christine Gregoire [00:09:43] Seriously? Roz Thompson [00:09:47] No, I did not but I knew, you know what I knew my principal because my parents knew him but I didn't know the assistant principals at all. [00:09:54] And I remember later meeting one of them and having no idea that she was at Auburn. [00:09:58] So I didn't know the assistant principals but i knew the principal so because there were 22 hundred students by the time when I went there was a huge. Christine Gregoire [00:10:06] But you have to think back about when I graduated, you know I can tell you the name, I can tell you the name of the individual to this day, but I didn't really have any relationship with him. [00:10:19] And I don't recall him frequenting the halls, I don't recall any contact whatsoever with my mom, I mean I was just a different day and how you principled. [00:10:32] And so I'm not the least bit critical because we had a good school, i've got a good education, I loved my teachers, but he just wasn't in my life, and that's just not how it is today. [00:10:44] It's a different role dramatically so. Scott Seaman [00:10:49] Well we're in the business for kids, and today at AWSP we actually have students that attend all of our summer leadership programs through our Association of Washington Student Leaders, and they are here interviewing for the United States Senate Youth Program. Roz Thompson [00:11:03] Yes correct. [00:11:04] Yeah there's 14 students from all of our Washington State interviewing and so we're in the process of doing some different you know rotating different stations and all that but they're very excited to have you come out and say hello in a little bit, so I'm going to go back and see them and continue on with our process. [00:11:20] It's been nice talking to you. Christine Gregoire [00:11:21] Mutuel, thanks for what you're doing. Roz Thompson [00:11:25] You're welcome. [00:11:26] Sure. Scott Seaman [00:11:27] So I'd love to talk to you just about the expanding role of the principal. [00:11:34] So I principal for about 15 years and during my ten-year it was I was amazed at how the job just kept getting bigger and bigger and bigger. [00:11:44] But I really became a believer as I studied the principalship in my own district and across the state of the key role that principals play in our schools, in setting the culture, going after antiquated historically bad systems for kids, and then really pushing the envelope on what learning is for all stakeholders. [00:12:09] What would you see from from your vantage point of the key role of the principal plays and how that's maybe changed over time? Christine Gregoire [00:12:17] Well as I indicated, I can tell you the name of my principal but I never saw him in the hallway ever. [00:12:24] I just can't recall an occasion in which I did. [00:12:28] Today, principals are in the hallway, they need to be in the hallway. [00:12:34] I don't know that my principal knew my name, I was in a leadership role in my school so maybe maybe, maybe not I don't know. [00:12:43] And today when I'm when I've been around principals they walk down the hallway and they know the names of kids that is unbelievably important. [00:12:52] But most of all, the change that we've got is we didn't have in times past the mental health issues that are facing students today, and as a result facing principles. [00:13:06] We didn't have some of the family issues back then or they weren't as prevalent as what they are now. [00:13:12] We didn't have schools as diverse with 100 languages as what we see now. [00:13:19] We have made principals into something that is basically an all inclusive. [00:13:26] You are sometimes a replacement Mom, Dad, you know mentor, mental health specialist, drug and alcohol treatment person, you know you are all of those things as well as a leader among the school of teachers inspiring these students to stay engaged and involved and get their education. [00:13:45] So we have put immense burden and responsibilities on these principals and we the rest of us who are not need to recognize that, understand it, and help and support the principals in what they do. Scott Seaman [00:13:59] Yeah that's fantastic I mean we've surveyed our principals and we have principals who are reporting you know upwards of 90 percent of their day being spent on mental health issues alone with kids. Christine Gregoire [00:14:10] I'm not surprised. Scott Seaman [00:14:12] But they wouldn't know that, if they weren't out in the hallway connecting with kids and getting the story behind the kids. [00:14:19] A student last week said we would love it if our teachers and principals got to know us as people before they got to know us as students so that they could understand what was going on in our lives, and that burden does fall quite a bit on the principals. Christine Gregoire [00:14:34] And you know inside that school, some of us have been around long enough to remember the tragedy that first started really at Columbine which was the result of a ongoing bullying kind of situation there. [00:14:50] The only way you get your arm around that is tell everybody that they have a right to respect, you can't be a bystander, you have to be engaged and envolved, you have to see it, be there, understand it, know what's going on inside that school. [00:15:04] Well you can't do it by sitting in the principal's office. [00:15:07] You've got to get out there, get engaged, get involved and when I've been to various schools now through Challenge Seattle, that's what these principals are doing and they know students on a first name basis, they are close to their teachers. [00:15:20] But again the role is you know anybody who sits in the legislative arena can't necessarily assume that a principal that they had is exactly the role and responsibility of a principal today. Scott Seaman [00:15:33] One of my favorite examples is the principal at Lincoln Middle School in Pullman, they do a high five Friday and they show these videos on Twitter, If you're ever on you should take a look at Lincoln Middle School. [00:15:46] They have their entire staff doing high fives with kids every Friday and it's a part of their culture. [00:15:51] And what started out maybe as a simple act has turned into really a great way to keep a pulse on how people are feeling in the school. Christine Gregoire [00:15:59] Right. [00:16:00] And you know for students today, maybe the safest, most loving, most nurturing, most supportive place in their entire life is inside that schoolhouse. Scott Seaman [00:16:12] And our belief at AWSP is principal’s set the culture of a school. [00:16:17] And part of our concern is the leadership churn that's happening in the state and across the country, but one in four principals are actually in the same building after five years. [00:16:26] That's the national trend. [00:16:28] But we know that it takes five to seven years to change a middle school and seven to 10 years to change a high school. [00:16:34] If we don't have good highly effective leaders re-establishing the culture and building the systems in the school we're never going to get to deep learning changes unless we focus on principal leadership. Christine Gregoire [00:16:46] And that's why the CEOs at Challange Seattle want to help and be supportive because you know we've got the likes of the Gates Foundation, CEO Sue Desmond-Hellmann sitting at the table explaining this to my my fellow CEOs. [00:17:02] And that's why they want to get engaged and involved to let these principles know they want to be supportive, they want to be understanding, they want to join them maybe in something that needs to happen in the legislative arena, they want to be a part of making sure those principles stay and make the kind of change that will result in the kind of outcomes that our students need. Scott Seaman [00:17:22] So do you think there's any similarities between running a large corporation like Boeing or Amazon or Microsoft to running one of our comprehensive schools? Christine Gregoire [00:17:32] I do. [00:17:32] Because you know leadership is not unique to some profession. [00:17:35] Leadership is leadership. [00:17:38] And many of the challenges that we see going on in schools today are also challenges in the workplace, I mean it's kind of a new day in the private sector where they're having to deal with some very touchy, emotional, social societal issues which are confronting these principles as well. [00:17:57] So leading as I said before I'll show you a great school if you show me a great principal and vice versa. [00:18:05] So leading being in charge of a budget being charge of human resources being in charge of inspiring these students to CEOs they have the following they have their company that they have to be loyal to, they have their customers they have to be loyal to, and they have their employees that they have to be loyal to, and that's how they frame their reference about how they get involved and what they need to do. [00:18:29] The same is true of a principal. [00:18:31] They have to focus on who is it that is the heart of what they need to serve to be successful. [00:18:38] And that's why we really want to fundamentally support them and make sure they stay to get done what they set out to achieve. Scott Seaman [00:18:46] Well at AWSP we start with students. [00:18:49] We're the only leadership association in the country that actually owns two student leadership programs facilities one in Eastern Washington and one in Western Washington, Cispus and Chewelah. [00:19:00] So we start with the students and what we see is growing future leaders either for industry or our bias obviously as future principals. [00:19:10] So when we think about growing the pipeline what do you think AWSP should be doing to encourage more people to go into education as a profession? Christine Gregoire [00:19:19] You know I don't know of a person that can't talk to you about how the importance of a teacher was in their life. [00:19:29] I've got my own story of an individual who when I was elected governor I asked to come to my swearing in inaugural day. [00:19:40] And I remember very distinctly somebody saying what's his name? [00:19:45] And I said his name is Mr. [00:19:46] Reese and they said his first name and I said well that would be Mr.. [00:19:49] I don't know his first name. [00:19:51] He came and together we shared tears together, that man made a unbelievably impression in my life. [00:19:58] Well what human being can't say that and relate to that? [00:20:01] And so how fulfilling that is how he what his message to me was never could he have dreamt that a student that he worked with would ever become governor of the great state of Washington. [00:20:15] It's an inspiring job to see the difference you can make in the lives of all those students who can go on and be successful and without you may not be successful so it's a giving back, it's a contribution, it's rewarding as all get out, that's why when I went to school at the University of Washington I got my teaching certificate did my student teaching, never got a job, but nonetheless because I was inspired at being able to serve and make a difference in the lives of these students so that they could be successful in life. Scott Seaman [00:20:48] Well one of the campaigns that we're going to launch this year is growing the the future education pipeline in our state. [00:20:57] So February we have eyed as future educators month. [00:21:01] So we're going to launch this campaign and our goal is to have teachers telling students, one day you'd make a great teacher. [00:21:09] We hope to have principals tapping teachers on the shoulder saying one day you'd make a great principal. [00:21:15] And we want superintendents tapping principals on the shoulder saying one day you'd make a great superintendent. [00:21:23] That kind of collective effort throughout the system I think will help the profession but it's going to take all of us together. Christine Gregoire [00:21:30] Well because, I wouldn't have been where I ended up but for somebody saying to me have you ever thought you'd make a great this or great attorney general or a great governor and so it takes people to support you to make you realize, yeah that's something I could do, that's something I'd like to do, I want to do that. Scott Seaman [00:21:51] And one of our campaigns is called to Give Them Your Keys Campaign. [00:21:55] We actually encourage our principals to hand their school keys to a student and say someday you'd make a great principal. [00:22:04] So we'd love to see, no pressure principals, but we'd love to see every single principal do that with a student. [00:22:10] And more importantly actually hand their keys to somebody that doesn't look like them, so that we can grow our students of color in their communities to come back and lead in their communities. Christine Gregoire [00:22:21] Yes good. Scott Seaman [00:22:23] So sidebar, something happened this year in the legislature where the gap shrunk between the highest paid teachers and the lowest lowest paid principals. [00:22:35] To the point now where a lot of our members are actually reporting that they make less than their teachers do and I don't think there's a principal that that would say I went into the profession of leading or principaling a school because of the money. [00:22:49] However, the long hours, the stress, the anxiety of principaling that was easier to swallow knowing that you were being compensated for that. [00:22:58] We have a concern about the pipeline. [00:23:01] If that gap isn't corrected this year what are your thoughts on on the idea of a CEO making less than the workers. Christine Gregoire [00:23:11] So one it's about respect. [00:23:15] Today a principal really has so many challenges on their plate that for them life work balance is really kind of out of whack and they're willing to do it, they're willing to do it but they don't you know you don't get into the profession thinking you're going to be a millionaire but you do want to get compensated because you have your own family to support and so on. [00:23:38] And it is a matter of respect. [00:23:40] So what I think probably happened here is nothing more or less than a mistake that needs to be corrected and I have seen this happen with the employees of the legislature i.e. [00:23:52] state government, where in times past there has been pay raises for those that were not in a supervisory role the compression happened just exactly what's happened here, and as soon as we brought that to the attention of the legislature and told them the impact that it was having i.e. [00:24:09] who wants to be a supervisor with all the stress and strain that that comes that comes with that. [00:24:16] So would they correct it every time they corrected it. [00:24:21] So I really think this needs to be brought immediately to the attention of the governor and the legislature and show them exactly what happened and frankly bring some principals in so that they can say how it's discouraging not just because they want more money, but it is a matter of respect and It goes the other way to are where are we going to get the future if they can stay in the classroom and do what they love rather than you know step up to provide a real leadership role and give back in amazing ways. [00:24:55] If they're not seen as being respected and getting the compensation they need and deserve. [00:24:59] So this is a mistake that needs to be corrected and soon. Scott Seaman [00:25:04] Well I think there are a lot of principal’s out there that are nodding their heads right now. Christine Gregoire [00:25:08] I bet. [00:25:09] I bet. Scott Seaman [00:25:10] So again, thank you for being here I really appreciate the conversation. [00:25:16] So one of my favorite questions I'd like to ask everybody as I travel around our state and country is and you kind of already alluded to the answer but I'd love to hear the story again as people always ask who their favorite teacher is. [00:25:30] And generally I think most people in society can name an adult in their life that gave them hope. [00:25:36] Whether that was a coach or a teacher or whatever. [00:25:38] So would you mind telling me the story again on who your favorite teacher was? Christine Gregoire [00:25:43] So the individual was an English teacher and you know I was the only child of a single mother and who was a short order cook. [00:25:55] So we didn't have a lot of means the results of which is we didn't have vacations where we traveled much. [00:26:02] I didn't really I got out of the state to go to Montana, Western Montana. [00:26:07] And that was about the end of my travels growing up and that was to fish with my mom and he got to know me and he said you know you have decent writing skills they can be enhanced by reading more and you know you don't travel a lot, how about we start thinking of ways to introduce you to the world through reading and enhance your writing skills in the process. [00:26:35] So outside of the regular classroom he started recommending books for me to read, I did, I would then write a report, I enhanced my writing skills but more importantly, I learned about the rest of the world which expanded me as a person well beyond anything I would have achieved without his being there. [00:26:56] And so it wasn't as if I was failing, it wasn't as if my mom was failing, but he saw the restraints on my exposure to the world and he made he he filled it for me. Scott Seaman [00:27:09] Wow. [00:27:11] That's great. [00:27:12] So I usually get pretty passionate answers like that from people and then the question that usually stumps them is the follow up question that is could you identify a favorite principal during your time through the system? Christine Gregoire [00:27:29] Well you qualified it by saying favorite and I can remember who the principal was at Auburn High School when I was there, I can tell you the name but he wasn't involved in my life at all. [00:27:42] So not not and do I remember middle school and middle school back then? [00:27:47] And I do not. [00:27:49] So I'm sorry to say I can't. Scott Seaman [00:27:53] Yeah. [00:27:54] Well and that's an answer that we use as kind of to motivate principals out there in the world that the best way to leave a lasting impact an impression on students is to be out and be visible. [00:28:05] Like the high fives zone. [00:28:07] My middle school principal was was a man named Norm Josephson, and I know the people watching this wouldn't be surprised when they when I'd say that I spent a lot of time with Mr. [00:28:16] Josephson when I was in middle school. [00:28:19] Ironically I spent a lot of time with my elementary principal to Mr. [00:28:22] Bowman. [00:28:23] Maybe it was my behavior, i'm not sure but principals played a key role in my life and even into high school I got to know them quite well also just because they had had empathy and they listened, they modeled the kind of unconditional love for a student like me. Christine Gregoire [00:28:41] Terrific. [00:28:42] And that's what we need for every student today, that's that's how we need to do that's how we need to be a principal today. Scott Seaman [00:28:50] So if you could go into the system and principal what level would your principal at? [00:28:57] elementary, middle, high, K12 school, alternative setting? [00:29:02] Where would you love to principal at if you could principal? Christine Gregoire [00:29:04] So I student taught at Newport High School in a very interesting time by the way they just introduced busing, and so it was a high school, and if I was given that choice again I probably would go back to a high school. [00:29:22] I know how important all of the other grades are, don't mistake me but I just really love to get engaged and involved with high school students. [00:29:32] I will tell you when I was governor and I would go around the state and I would go into high schools do you know who my toughest absolutely toughest audience always was? [00:29:42] High school, high school because they're so genuine, they're unrestrained in answering and asking a question, and they're really thought provoking questions to someone like myself as governor to answer. [00:29:56] So I find them inspiring and I would hope that I could contribute to them and inspire them to understand they got to get a high school diploma and they need to think about something beyond that. [00:30:09] If they really want to have a satisfying life in terms of occupation and income. Scott Seaman [00:30:17] Well again thank you for being here. [00:30:20] AWSP Is one of the strongest principals associations in the country and it's large part because we have almost 98 percent of our principals are members of our association. [00:30:30] So we have quite a few principals that are looking through the other end of that camera watching this video. [00:30:36] What would be a bit of encouragement that you would give them to persist in the role? Christine Gregoire [00:30:42] Well I would say to you look directly at you, thank you. [00:30:47] First and foremost thank you and never let a day go by where you don't hear that message from people all around you that may not say it but it's implicit there. [00:30:59] Thank you for serving, thank you for your leadership role, thank you for inspiring and taking these students in, thank you for leading the teachers inside the school. [00:31:09] And I will say to you I was called to public service by John F. [00:31:12] Kennedy who said that the role of us as Americans was to give back, to make better, and you do it every single day. [00:31:21] And well you know in the political arena there are times that I'm sure are very frustrating to you not the least of which is this salary compression that has come about. [00:31:30] Please remember mistakes are made, they need to hear from you, they need to understand from you how they can help you. [00:31:39] Same is true of the private sector, we really want them to get engaged and involved to be supportive and helpful to you. [00:31:47] So please know full well that whatever you do while you serve we're there for you, we want to help you, we want to be supportive of you, because without you we don't have a future and we need you desperately to inspire those students to lead those teachers so that we can have a great tomorrow. Scott Seaman [00:32:06] Well i’d love to take you on the road with me. Christine Gregoire [00:32:11] I'm happy to do that. Scott Seaman [00:32:12] So you said you're sitting here today in the principal's office and you're kind of kicking off our campaign of what we hope to have as part of our library of leadership talks with leaders who served in our great state. [00:32:26] Who would you like to put a little pressure on to maybe take your spot and come chat with us in the principal's office? Christine Gregoire [00:32:33] So we just had our last meeting last Tuesday evening, a dinner with all of the CEOs of Challlange Seattle and we talked about this relationship with principals and so on and again there's nothing that inspires them more than talking about getting inside a school and seeing the students, being able to talk to the students, learn from the students and the same is true they are inspired about this new program where we can listen to, learn from, and help and support principals so I'd like to if you'd like to I'd like to get one of the large companies CEOs to come here and talk about leadership and how it's really very much the same as the leadership role different of course, but very much the same because it's fundamentally leadership inspiring and making bringing outcomes through the right kind of leadership skills. [00:33:26] So if you're if you're game I'm happy to get one of my CEOs to come help. Scott Seaman [00:33:31] That would be fantastic, you know we've we've loved our partnership with the Gates Foundation it’s been a longtime supporter of AWSP Challenged Seattle, Washington Roundtable seeing leadership come together like this in the name of what's best for kids is fantastic. [00:33:46] So we'd welcome that. [00:33:49] So thank you again Governor Gregoire for joining us today. [00:33:52] I really appreciate the conversation and future collaboration between Challange Seattle and AWSP. Christine Gregoire [00:33:58] We're excited. Scott Seaman [00:33:59] So that's a wrap from us here at AWSP. [00:34:01] Thanks for tuning in, and we’ll see you at our next AWSP leadership talk.