Zoe Bodovinitz, Staff Reporter
Originally published March 29, 2018

Academic Spirit Week concluded on March 23 with a school-wide assembly. While the assembly consisted of the typical competitions between the classes—the ‘spirit can,’ pop-culture teacher trivia and an attempted school-wide Kahoot game—there was a surprise.

Governor Jay Inslee and state senator Reuven Carlyle stopped by the assembly to honor science teacher Dr. Dewey Moody for all he has done for the learning community in the school.
“We are here to celebrate failure,” Carlyle said. “We are here to celebrate failure because failure is the essence of success and progress. Nobody embraces failure like Dr. Moody.”

After years of serving the science department, Dr. Moody plans to retire at the end of the school year. Although he won’t be teaching anymore, the impact Dr. Moody leaves with the school will last forever.

“We have some educators that rise above and truly inspire students, who lift students up, who bring a certain passion and connection that is unique,” Inslee said. “And I’m telling you, we have a special educator today, Dr. Dewey Moody, who I’ve come to honor.”

Inslee recognizes one inspirational person in the state each day as Washingtonian of the Day. He meets them and gives them an apple pin. Dr. Moody was chosen for the unique way he inspires his students.

““I’ve been asked many times this year if I’m going to miss teaching, miss the students, and my answer is ‘no,’ I am going to desperately miss all of my students. Even the ones that are tardy to first period.””

— Dr. Dewey Moody

“What we need in politics, in government, in civic life, is that same sense of conviction—that failure leads to success because it leads to the type of learning that Dr. Moody brings to this school,” Carlyle said.

The gym erupted with cheers when Dr. Moody was recognized. It was obvious that the students lucky enough to have a class of his, and even those who aren’t, have a lot of respect for him.
“[Dr. Moody] is such a good teacher, that we think if he can teach the Washington state legislators, they’ll finally figure out climate change,” Inslee said.

After receiving his apple pin, Dr. Moody was very grateful for the honor. It’s clear that the school will miss him and his passion for leaning, but maybe not as much as he will miss teaching.

“I’ve been asked many times this year if I’m going to miss teaching, miss the students, and my answer is ‘no,’” Dr. Moody said. “I am going to desperately miss all of my students. Even the ones that are tardy to first period.”