"Principal for a Day:" Bellingham High hosts state representative Joe Timmons, connecting state legislators with community schools

Bellingham High School welcomed state representative Joe Timmons to campus this fall.

The representative’s visit was part of an initiative to connect our legislators with the schools in their community, learn more about the roles and responsibilities of school administrators and experience the current realities, joys and challenges of what happens in our schools.

Principal Ben Goodwin hosted an action-packed day for Timmons: greeting students in the morning as they streamed through the front door, walking the halls on Goodwin’s morning check-in with the building, visiting a wide variety of academic and elective classes—including math, AVID, traffic safety education (TSE), jazz band and the new electric car course—helping Goodwin supervise lunch, and, finally, connecting directly with students in the Leadership and Latinos in Action classes for a question and answer session in the performing arts center.

“I wanted Rep. Timmons to see what an average day looks like for us at Bellingham High—nothing polished, but the real juggling act that principals manage every day,” Goodwin said.

Throughout the day, Goodwin and Timmons chatted together and with other staff about a wide range of topics—school funding and budget challenges, teacher recruitment, the importance of access to classes like TSE at low or no cost, the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and ongoing efforts to be even more inclusive and reduce barriers for students and families.

During the Q&A session, student leaders asked Timmons about his favorite thing about being a legislator, the hardest part of his job and how issues are brought to his attention. He also shared what he’s proud of achieving in his time in Olympia so far and advised students that democracy is worth sustaining.

After the visit, Timmons shared his perspective and learning.

“Spending a full day at Bellingham High School gave me a much deeper appreciation for the incredible work happening in our classrooms every single day,” Timmons said. “I was struck by the dedication of the teachers, the engagement of the students, and the countless responsibilities our principals juggle to keep schools running smoothly. Visits like this help me ground my work in Olympia in the real experiences of students and educators, and I’m grateful to Principal Goodwin and the entire BHS community for welcoming me so openly.”

Goodwin appreciated Timmons taking the time to dig in at a high school and to learn about the amazing and difficult work educators do.

“I hope Representative Timmons saw firsthand the joys of working with students and staff, as well as the challenges that come with leading a school and the kind of support we need to do it well,” Goodwin said. “I appreciated being able to make a connection with him so that he could see what high school looks like today.”