As part of our Engage IRL initiative with Launch NW, five SPS staff members support connecting students with activities. These Engagement Navigators are assigned to schools based on the five high school feeder patterns of our district, which allows families to build a sense of belonging and community as students advance from kindergarten through senior year.
Julie Jones, North Central Feeder Pattern Engagement Navigator
SCHOOLS:North Central, Glover, Yasuhara, Audubon, Finch, Garfield, Holmes, Logan, Stevens, Willard, Spokane Public Montessori
Where were you before you came into your current role?
Before joining the Navigator team, I was most recently the Internship Coordinator at Lumen High School, a high school in downtown Spokane for pregnant and parenting high school students. I also have spent the last 10 years coaching volleyball and helping run a local volleyball club. My husband and I both grew up in Spokane Public Schools. We now have 3 kids who have grown up in Spokane Public Schools as well and have been involved in a wide variety of activities throughout their schooling.
Why were you interested in being an Engagement Navigator for Spokane Public Schools?
When I read the job description of an Engagement Navigator, it touched on so many values and ideas that I have always been passionate about! I believe it is incredibly important for kids of all ages to find and engage in activities they can enjoy, be challenged in, grow in, and be a part of something bigger than themselves. I am a firm believer that there is not simply one “best” way for students to be involved and engaged. Finding community and having adults invest in youth is so important to kids' growth both inside and outside of the classroom. As a parent, I am so grateful for the adults who have invested and poured their time into my 3 kids and I am so excited to help create opportunities and partner with schools and community organizations to provide pathways for kids to engage in athletics, arts, clubs, and activities of all kinds!
What were your extracurricular passions when you were a student, and how did those experiences shape who you are today?
I grew up in Spokane Public Schools. As an elementary and middle school student, I tried as many after school sports as possible and was also a part of the band, choir, Student Council/ASB. I participated in both volleyball and track in high school (along with general school and spirit events offered at the time) and then continued to play volleyball at Eastern Washington University and then Whitworth University.
I also grew up with a deep appreciation for music and the arts as my dad taught band, orchestra and advocated for the arts throughout his career. I spent many years traveling to and watching/supporting marching band competitions, half time shows, football games, concerts, and musicals. I loved seeing so many different people who were passionate and skilled in different ways work hard and enjoy doing what they loved.
When reflecting on my extracurricular passions as a student, I personally was greatly impacted by being a part of so many different teams. Learning to show up for others, rely on others, work hard, grow, persevere through conflict, and embrace differences while working towards a common goal were just some of the lessons that helped shape who I am today.
What are you most excited about for the upcoming school year?
The North Central Feeder Pattern is a very special community, and I am so excited to be a part of it. I am eager to support students and staff in all that is already happening while also helping create more ways for students to experience engagement and belonging. I love hearing what students are interested in and passionate about and then partnering with students, school staff, and community partners to create opportunities that students are excited about and find value in.