One of the final school visits Traci Pierce made as Kennewick superintendent was to the Benton-Franklin Juvenile Justice Center.
The school serves as an alternative learning program for incarcerated youth in the Tri-Cities. And after some cordial introductions with the class, students asked her how much schooling she went through to get to where she was.
"It was 10 years, post high school. And they were like, ‘Wow, was it worth it?' And I said, ‘Absolutely worth it. One-hundred percent worth it.' The fact that they even asked if it was worth it, I see that as a shred of hope," Pierce recounted.
From the student at JJC striving to turn their lives around, to the valedictorian attending the Ivy Leagues - and everyone in between - Dr. Pierce has served the 19,000-student school district with a collaborative, forward-focused attitude.
She'll retire the chalk at the end of the month, capping three decades as an educator- the last five and a half years as chief of the Kennewick School District. She's leaving the Tri-Cities school district with better student outcomes, safer schools and the region's healthiest budget .
But above all, Pierce said, bringing out the best in students and getting them to see the value in education has made the job worth it.
"That's why I can look back and go, OK, I've spent the last 30 years working hard and doing something that really matters," she said.
Pierce, 55, said it's been a successful tenure, and that she's leaving the district in a better place. She credits her board, leadership team, staff and teachers for the work they've accomplished in improving student outcomes and closing opportunity gaps.
"I feel good about where we are in terms of systems we've put into place and progress we're making," she told the Tri-City Herald. "Like I said, you're never quite finished because things are always moving. But trying to leave things in a good place for my successor is really what I hope to do."
Lance Hansen, current superintendent of Lewiston Independent School District, will take the keys Tuesday, July 1. Pierce's last day is Monday, June 30.
Hansen will earn a similar wage to Pierce: $188,300 in base pay.
Successes and challenges at Kennewick
As superintendent of the Kennewick and Lake Washington school districts, she led hundreds of school visits, 374 school board meetings and attended 125 graduations - some truly astounding numbers, Pierce says.
She's also led Kennewick staff through many successes and challenges.
Those highs include construction of the 2019 bond projects and the new Kennewick High School, the implementation of a new elementary school safety officer program, an expansion of career and technical education and passage of a science-based elementary reading curriculum . Graduation rates rose and drop-out rates dipped during her tenure, too.
But Pierce has also chartered the district through rough waters: A once-in-a-generation pandemic, remote learning, a one-year gap in levy funding that required some strategic budget writing , and a complete turnover of the school board.
Gabe Galbraith, school board president , said she led the district through "uncertain times."
"She led important efforts to improve student learning and build stronger connections with families and the community. She created a supportive environment where both students and staff could thrive. We will miss Dr. Pierce and wish her the best in her retirement," he said.
The community held a retirement reception Wednesday evening before the school board meeting to congratulate Pierce on her career.
She and her husband, Sherman Pierce, an IT professional, will remain in the Tri-Cities community and continue to be advocates for Kennewick schools.
A ‘decisive and collaborative leader'
Pierce has been recognized as a leading educator in the Mid-Columbia region, especially by her peers.
Richland Superintendent Shelley Redinger characterized her as a "decisive and collaborative leader" who was always focused on students and staff.
"Her steady leadership and thoughtful approach have made her a trusted colleague to me personally and an influential leader across the region. I wish her all the best in retirement and thank her for her many contributions to public education," Redinger said in a statement.
Pasco Superintendent Michelle Whitney said Pierce has been a "quiet force of wisdom and strength - an unwavering champion for students and pillar of grace under pressure."
"In moments of challenge, she led with calm resolve; in seasons of change, she brought clarity and purpose. Her leadership is etched not just in policies or programs, but in the countless lives she's touched," Whitney said in a statement. "As she turns the page to a new chapter, we celebrate her journey, honor her service, and feel immense gratitude for the light she has brought to public education in our region."
‘Education transforms lives'
On Wednesday morning, Pierce's office was half empty with bags and boxes filled with memorabilia, pictures and materials. Nearby shelves were emptied, with a dozen or so stacks of dusty books piled on a counter. A vase of flowers sent from her former deputy superintendent at Lake Washington sat delicately on her desk.
It was a busy week of celebrations and wrapping up business to close out the 2024-25 school year.
In retirement, Pierce hopes to find new passions and hobbies away from her career. She's worked in superintendent roles the past 12 years, and the last 25 in administration.
"I don't really have any hobbies right now I can point to, but maybe a year from now I'll have one," she said. "In some ways, work's kind of been my life."
Pierce's passion for education was sparked in 2nd grade because she loved her teachers and school growing up in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
"My parents were teachers before I was born, but by the time I was born they weren't teachers any longer. They were business owners. But I suppose maybe it's in my blood," she said.
But as she enrolled in a crowded Coeur d'Alene High School, she became "disillusioned" with school. She questioned education's purpose and almost dropped out.
"I just remember feeling and thinking that kids deserved better than that. And I think that was my other motivation of ultimately why I went into education, is I wanted to make things better than I had them," she said.
She was one of those kids who "couldn't wait to get out" of her small town and head for the big city, she says.
Pierce has a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies and a superintendent certificate from the University of Washington. Her master's is in educational leadership from Bellevue College. She started at North Idaho College.
Her first teaching job was in 1994 at Lake Washington School District. Teachers had just a few resources back then - school book curriculum, a white board and overhead projectors. But she parlayed a hunger for collaboration into a 26-year stint in the district and a successful career.
In addition to superintendent, she also served in various other roles in the Western Washington district - assistant superintendent, director of college and career readiness, principal, assistant principal, instructional technology coordinator, teaching and learning director and chief schools officer - before making the move to the Tri-Cities to be closer to family.
Pierce says each student has their challenges, but it's up to the school to make learning "relevant, challenging and engaging."
"I think it's critically important," she said. "It's not just a cliche that education transforms lives. When you see kids start to question the value of education it's really disheartening. And so you think about what can we continue to do in public education to help every kid - whatever their situation is, whatever their story is - see the value."
‘Keep that passion'
Pierce said she's "great friends" with the other two Tri-City superintendents. Their relationship is "mostly collaborative, but a little competitive in a healthy way."
"We help each other stay sharp," she said.
Pierce is beginning to learn more about Hansen through the transition and believes he'll be a great fit for the community.
"I think he's going to be great," she said. "He's super excited to be here. I think we have a lot of similarities in how we see things and view things and approach things."
Pierce hopes her colleagues in education continue to understand how important their professions are.
"Sometimes it's easy to be fatigued," she said. "But what's kept me motivated is seeing and knowing the difference that you're making for kids and for the future. I know it sounds sort of cliche, but it's true."
"There's always going to be challenges in education - there's certainly no shortage of challenges. But when I walk into a classroom and I see a teacher who is excited to be there and the kids are excited to be there - and just that energy - that's when it doesn't even feel like work," she said. "It's that passion for the students that I think keeps people going. I just hope everyone can keep that passion."
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