Mission Statement:

For the past twenty-one years, our goal has been to provide relevant and rigorous education while cultivating relationships, wellness and professional interaction! Each site coordinator is committed to the SI family atmosphere, catering to your needs, and providing ideas in a stress free and supportive atmosphere.

Summer Institutes History

In 1982, while working as at teacher/coach for Central Washington University, Scott Ricardo was discussing and developing Extended Education Courses with his good friend, Dr. Ken Briggs. Ken suggested teaching football theory courses through such a program. The classes were successful and turned out to be a lot of fun! The first courses were held in Yakima, then on to Spokane, Olympia, Burien, Vancouver, and Wenatchee.

By 1987, Scott was running out of material and fresh ideas to share with coaches. At the first meeting in Olympia, there were only 8 coaches; far short of the number needed for the class. Everyone was asked to recruit teachers who needed credits and then managed to pull enough in for the class. This negative experience turned out to be one of the best lessons learned. Enrolled in this course was Bob Cutler, and his project for the course he proposed the idea of holding a multiple subjects workshop site in Montesano. A friendship was formed, and with Bob’s generosity and sharp business savvy, the class had an enrollment of 100 the first year! The only obstacle faced was Bob’s neighbors threatening a lawsuit over the potential “Woodstock type traffic” near their pristine property. Needless to say, the first Summer Institute was held at Montesano High School.

Throughout the years, Scott has chosen loyal Site Coordinators as independent contractors to direct their own workshops based on the Summer Institute’s philosophy-“to provide professional multi-topic speakers, single subject breakout sessions, educational field based learning opportunities , promote wellness and not burden teachers with unneeded paperwork.”

Site Coordinators like Tuck Gionet (Snohomish, Bow, Kingston), Mark Champoux (Kent), Ken Purnell (Redmond, OR), Dustin Purnell (Tualitan, OR), Hillary McClintick (Springfield, OR), Janice Perino (Modesto, CA), Laureen Cardoza (Merced,CA) Dick Comar (Okemos, MI), Marnie Pickett (Wenatchee), Sue Speckman (Salem, OR), Chris Mason, Fernando Alvarez and Paul Sinclair (Moses Lake/Tri Cities), Jim Walden (Spokane), Mark and Heather Marro/Eroll and Dawn Miles (Sunnyside) and last but not least Connie and Roxanne Cutler (Bob’s wife and daughter) have all been successful.

The SI staff is proud and excited to hold its 21st Annual Summer Institutes. Scott will personally direct the workshops at Montesano,WA) and Modesto,CA. A host of other team members will be duplicating the successful SI format across the country. Our goal is to make this a worthwhile educational and relationship bonding experience for years to come!