On Track Academy

This week at OTA: Yearbooks and finishing up big projects and caps and gowns and turning everything in and more yearbooks and cotton candy and a little bit of excitement and Comic-con!

Have a great weekend, everyone! Next weekend is GRADUATION!!

So proud of you, Gabe!

On Track Academy: Gabe Stauffer finds community and passion in the digital media center When Gabe Stauffer first arrived at On Track Academy, he mostly kept to himself.

It has been SO BUSY these past few weeks at OTA. Senior projects and Showcases and night classes and hiking and building and releasing trout and finishing big glass projects and more! So here is a small photo dump of just some of the goodness. The year is winding down!

Have a great weekend! Get ready for the last few days. It goes by so fast!

Of course, everyone here at OTA knows what we are losing! Lori's legacy will live on even longer than the years she has spent here. So happy for her and a well-deserved retirement!

WELL-DESERVED: Join us in celebrating members of our staff as they embark on an exciting new journey — retirement!

We asked several retirees to reflect on their decades-long careers and experiences. We’ll be highlighting their responses as we approach the end of the school year. Find all responses at SpokaneSchools.org/Article/2923757.

Please give a round of applause for On Track Academy paraeducator Lori Beaty who has spent nearly 30 years with Spokane Public Schools!

Q. When and why did you start working at Spokane Public Schools?

A. My connection with Spokane Public Schools began nearly 30 years ago as a volunteer at Lincoln Heights Elementary. What started as volunteering quickly grew into a variety of roles, including playground supervision, office support, one-on-one student assistance, and classroom aide positions. I’ve always had a deep love for learning—about people as much as subjects—and working with students of all ages felt like a natural fit for that passion.

Over time, as I had the opportunity to work across multiple schools and grade levels (K–12), that passion evolved into a strong desire to be a consistent, supportive presence for students—especially during the challenging moments in their lives. My goal has always been to show up without judgment or comparison, to ensure each student feels seen, heard, and valued, and to support them in reaching their full potential.

Q. What has been the most rewarding part of your work here?

A. The most rewarding part of my career has been my time over the past few years at On Track Academy. As I often tell students, On Track Academy feels like “the happiest place on earth.” The sense of community there is truly special, and those relationships will stay with me for life.
I’ve been incredibly grateful for the opportunities to grow professionally, expanding my skill set while feeling supported every step of the way. The trust placed in me by administrators and advisors allowed me to step into new roles with confidence. One highlight has been creating, coordinating, and facilitating a Youth Wellness course, which has been both meaningful and impactful for our students and community!

Q. What are you most looking forward to about retiring?

A. In retirement, I look forward to exploring other passions while continuing to support youth through mental health awareness and advocacy. I’m also excited for the simple joys—having the flexibility to set my own schedule, whether that means sleeping in or starting the day early. And yes, I may even be that person carefully driving the speed limit in a school zone, reminding others to slow down and enjoy the moment.

Q. What’s your advice for anyone starting their career right now?

A. My best advice is to remain flexible—in your learning, in your approach, and in your relationships with students. Keep students at the center of everything you do. When you allow students to take ownership of their growth, the outcomes can be incredibly powerful.

Focus on building relationships and trust first. When students feel supported as whole individuals—both academically and personally—the learning naturally follows. Walking alongside students, guiding them, and helping them develop both skills and values is the most meaningful work you can do.

Q. Anything else you’d like to share?

A. I’d like to thank the various mentors that have given me the gift of their time and support. This work is not meant to be done in isolation—it requires collaboration, humility, and a willingness to both give and receive support.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that no one has all the answers. By leaning on one another, supporting each other, and working together, we create the best possible outcomes for our students. It truly takes a community to lift our young people up.

Prom, 2026!

This week at OTA we were visited by a goat! And we decorated for Prom. And then we decorated some more.

See you tonight!

This week at OTA we won awards, enrolled in college, made music and long boards, started raising bees, and celebrated much success.

We also enjoyed the sunshine! Have a terrific, SUNNY weekend!

It's National School Principal Day! Ours are probably better than yours. Sorry/not sorry.

If you see one of ours today, tell them hi and thanks! If you see yours, tell them the same, and to try and do better and be more like ours. Ask themselves: "What would an OTA principal do?

Happy WWOTAPD day!