This school year, Sedro-Woolley School District is embracing the theme “Empowering Dreams. Rooted in Community.” It’s about honoring the people, places, and traditions that have shaped our community for generations—and recognizing how those deep roots continue to strengthen our schools today. Just as importantly, it’s a reminder of our responsibility to help students not only discover their dreams, but also find the pathways to achieve them.
For Joni McSpadden, those roots run four generations deep. A proud Cub through and through, Joni attended Evergreen Elementary, Cascade Middle School, and Sedro-Woolley High School. Her daughter followed in her footsteps, becoming a fifth-generation Cub. And about 15 years ago, her family was recognized as one of Sedro-Woolley’s founding families—a reminder of just how deeply her story is woven into the community.
Some memories stand out clearly from her school days—like the morning in Mrs. Ambrose’s third-grade class when students watched the Challenger space shuttle launch live, only to witness the tragedy that unfolded. Other memories are tied to the people who shaped her journey. Teachers like Mrs. Ambrose, Mr. Heuterman, and Jim Johnson left lasting marks, not only through what they taught but through the care and encouragement they gave.
When it came time to begin her teaching career, Joni never considered leaving.
“Both my husband and I grew up here. I couldn’t imagine teaching elsewhere—it never crossed my mind,” she says.
That sense of commitment is rooted in gratitude for the way her hometown shaped her.
“This community had such an impact on me that I really never wanted to live anywhere else. I raised my daughter here because I wanted her to have the same experience.”
Some things in town have changed—“there are a lot more stoplights now,” Joni laughs—but others remain reassuringly constant.
Driving down Metcalf Street still feels the same, aside from the cars. Traditions like Loggerodeo, Cub pride on the soccer and football fields, and even the unspoken truth that “you’ll have a lot of students absent during hunting season” all remind her of Sedro-Woolley’s unique identity.
Those experiences guide the way Joni shows up for students today. She remembers her own mother taking her to see flood damage in the valley and teaching her that helping others was part of being in this community—whether that meant donating clothes or pitching in after a storm.
“It is easier to serve families that you understand,” Joni says. “This community is traditional, proud, and strong. We have big hearts for this town, and it’s important to us.”
Her advice to today’s students is simple: “Look around. Not many places are this beautiful, and you should really enjoy the fact that we get to see it every day.”
For Joni, Sedro-Woolley is more than a hometown. It’s a legacy, a responsibility, and a joy—one she carries proudly into her work with the next generation of Cubs.