Kennewick School District has named Washington State University Tri-Cities’ College of Education, Sport and Human Sciences as its 2026 Community Partner of the Year, recognizing the college’s collaborative efforts to strengthen teacher preparation, professional learning and student career pathways.

In a news release announcing the award, the Kennewick district highlighted multiple partnership programs between the two entities that have benefited teachers and students, including the designation of Kennewick’s Park Middle School as a “Teaching Laboratory School” last March.

As a teaching laboratory, Park Middle School hosts WSU Tri-Cities education students for practicum training in real-world classrooms, working and learning under the guidance and mentorship of experienced teachers. Rather than being attached to just one class, teaching candidates at Park Middle School spend their second semester rotating and observing instruction across 25 active classrooms, gaining exposure to many subjects and teaching approaches.

“Each year, the partnership brings as many as 80 qualified teaching candidates into KSD schools,” the announcement said. “But the collaboration extends well beyond student teaching placements.”

The announcement also highlighted WSU’s accessible career paths for aspiring teachers already learning or working in the Kennewick School District. For example, through the WSU Tri-Cities Alternative Route program, paraeducators can pursue teaching degrees while continuing to work in Kennewick schools. Graduating students from Kennewick high schools, meanwhile, can also explore education careers through the Teaching Bridge Pathway partnership.

In addition to supporting a strong local hiring pipeline for new teachers, WSU Tri-Cities education faculty routinely collaborate with Kennewick School District professionals on research and curriculum related to bilingual education, special education, STEM teaching and more. As a gesture of shared commitment, roughly 20 Kennewick district administrators conduct mock interviews each semester with graduating WSU Tri-Cities teaching candidates — helping them be better prepared for post-college success.

John Mancinelli, academic director for the College of Education, Sport and Human Sciences, accepted the award during the Kennewick School District’s annual all-staff assembly in August. He congratulated his WSU Tri-Cities colleagues and thanked Kennewick School District teachers and administrators for their longstanding support and collaboration.

“To be selected from the many community partners KSD works with is a great compliment, and we are very grateful for the recognition,” Mancinelli said. “Our desire is to lead quality education with our regional partners, and this award tells us that we are on the right track!”

Learn more about the different teaching pathways, graduate degrees and professional add-on certifications available through WSU Tri-Cities.