Each month we feature staff members dedicated to being Solution Seekers in our district.
Alexis Hirst, office professional in Student Achievement at the District Office, is an NTPS alum who values the collaboration and support of her team as a key to solution seeking. Her role means continually developing and improving processes to support people and programs across the district.
Tell us about yourself.
I was raised in North Thurston Public Schools. I went to Seven Oaks, Nisqually, and graduated from River Ridge High School. I started with the district part-time in 2009 and have worked with many departments since then. I currently support Student Achievement, and my main areas of support are state testing and summer school. My husband and I met in high school and have been together for almost 18 years. We have a very active 5-year-old preschooler (soon to be kindergartener at Lakes) that keeps us on our toes. I enjoy reading and going to the beach. I love the sun and being in warm weather. My favorite place to visit is Disneyland, and I hope to make a trip soon.
What do you like best about your job?
I love the people! I work with an amazing team. We are always there for each other and help whenever we can. When our team pulls together for big projects, we divide the tasks and all contribute, so one person doesn’t feel pressured to complete it all. We have a great support system in place and can accomplish anything together.
Why is being a Solution Seeker important to you?
We are a large community with many moving pieces. Everyone has their role and uses their knowledge and experience to tackle challenges. In a constantly changing world, we must seek solutions that stand up to those challenges. Office professionals have our hands in many areas to help keep things moving. We are the central hub of communication and support to administrators, staff, families, students, and community members. Often, we are the first ones that others come to with problems, seeking solutions and assistance. Collaboration is key when you are a solution seeker.
Can you share a story where you experienced problem-solving in action?
It’s hard to think of a single time of problem-solving in action. A constant task in my line of work is developing processes to gather information. Most times, someone will come to me and say, “I need...” and it’s my responsibility to figure out the most efficient way to get that information. Some examples include creating surveys to gather professional development topics, making forms to track summer school transportation registration, and designing step-by-step instructions and videos for staff. I love coming up with different solutions to accomplish tasks and make our work successful, collaborative, and enjoyable.
