Personnel changes at LWSD

Redmond, Wash. – When schools open on September 2, there will be a number of new faces in Lake Washington School District schools, including five new principals, two transfers, and six new associate principals. Openings resulted from replacements for retirees in schools or the district office or principals accepting positions in other districts.

New principals for 2014-2015   International Community School / Community SchoolGregory Moncada is the new principal at International Community School (grades 6-12) and Community School (grades 1-5), Kirkland, Wash. Gregory served as the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) coordinator for the Bainbridge Island School District. Previously, he was the high school principal at the American International School of Vienna, Austria. He was also the assistant director and middle school principal at the American International School of Johannesburg, South Africa. He taught in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Bilbao, Spain. Gregory began his career as a teacher in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Zoology and his Master of Arts in Science Education from Louisiana State University. He earned his administrative certification from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania and his Doctor of Education from the University of Minnesota. Gregory replaces Matt Livingston, who has been selected to serve as the new director of school support for the Eastlake Learning Community (see below).

Evergreen Middle School

Robert Johnson is the new Evergreen Middle School principal. Robert comes from Edmonds School District, where he has been associate principal at Edmonds-Woodway High School for seven years. Robert earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Communication at Western Washington University, and a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction from City University. He received his administrative certification from Western Washington University. Robert replaces Sean Cassidy, who accepted a position as the principal of Tahoma Middle School.  Read More >>

 

Redmond Elementary

Jennifer Jarta will serve as the principal at Redmond Elementary. Jennifer replaces Joyce Teshima, who retired. Jennifer served as an elementary associate principal this school year, working in three of the district’s largest elementary schools: Alcott, Dickinson, and Mead. Jennifer earned her Master of Education degree at Lesley University in Cambridge, Mass., and earned her administrative credential from City University.

 

Rush Elementary

Lucy Davies will serve as the principal at Ben Rush Elementary. Lucy replaces Brad Stolz, who retired. Lucy completed her administrative internship at Mann Elementary this past year. She has served as a curriculum and assessment specialist and science professional development specialist for the district since 2007. Lucy previously served as a junior high science and math teacher and as an elementary teacher. She earned her Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education degrees at the University of British Columbia, and her Master of Arts in Instructional Leadership at the University of Washington. She completed her administrative credential program through the Danforth Educational Leadership Program at the University of Washington in June.

 

Einstein Elementary

Karen Belshaw will serve as the principal at Einstein Elementary. Karen has been serving as the principal at Audubon Elementary. Melissa Pointer, the former Einstein principal, accepted an elementary principal position in the Highline School District.

 

Audubon Elementary

Kimo Spray, who has been serving as the Alcott Elementary principal, will replace Karen Belshaw as the principal at Audubon Elementary.

 

Alcott Elementary

Jon Hedin will serve as the new principal at Alcott Elementary, replacing Kimo Spray. Jon comes from the Northshore School District where he completed his administrative internship at Woodmoor Elementary this past year. Jon has taught grades two through five for the past 12 years. He served on a number of district leadership committees in Northshore including the district Technology Advisory Committee, the Literacy Adoption Advisory, and the Contract Negotiation Team. Jon earned his Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and in K-12 Art from Whitworth University and his Master of Education from the University of Washington. He completed his administrative credential program in June through City University.

 

Eastlake High School / Renaissance School of Art & Reasoning

Chris Bede has been selected as the principal for Eastlake High School (EHS) and Renaissance School of Art and Reasoning. Chris had been serving as the interim principal. Chris served as the associate principal at EHS for seven years before being named principal.

 

New associate principals for 2014-2015

Redmond Middle School

Michael Clark has been selected to serve as the associate principal at Redmond Middle School, replacing Matt Gillingham, who will serve as the new director of student services (see below). Michael comes from the Mukilteo School District, where he completed his administrative internship at Voyager Middle School. Michael has 14 years of instrumental teaching experience. He served as instrumental music director and electives team leader at Voyager. Michael earned both his Bachelor of Arts in Trombone Performance / Music Conducting and Master of Arts in Teaching from Southern Oregon University. He is completing his principal certification at Seattle Pacific University.

 

Kirkland Middle School

Julie Dixon has been selected as the new associate principal at Kirkland Middle School. Julie comes to Lake Washington School District from Evergreen School District in Vancouver, Wash. Julie has been an educator for 18 years. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Oregon State University and received a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction and an administrative certificate from City University. Julie has taught many subjects at the middle school level, including Humanities, Reading, Physical Education, Social Studies, and Special Ed. Transition. She has extensive experience in professional development. She has been an instructional coach at the district and building level. Julie replaces Seth Adams, who accepted a position as the principal of Issaquah Middle School.

 

New central office staff

Associate Superintendent of School and Student Support Services

Jon Holmen is the new associate superintendent of school and student support services. Jon replaced Heather Sinclair, who retired. Jon has been serving as the director of school support for the Redmond Learning Community.

 

Director of Curriculum

Mike VanOrden is the new director of curriculum. Mike comes to LWSD from the Shoreline School District, where he served as Highland Terrace Elementary School principal. Mike has served as a building administrator at all levels - elementary, middle, and high school - in both Edmonds and Shoreline for the past 10 years. Prior to school administration, Mike was a high school science / AP science teacher, department chair, and district science coordinator in California, then in Mercer Island. He has also held curriculum-related positions for the California Department of Education. Mike earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Humboldt State University in California and his Master of Education in Educational Administration and principal certification from Western Washington University.

 

Director of Student Services

Matt Gillingham is the new director of student services (see Kirkland Middle School, above). In this role, Matt will oversee student discipline / hearings, the district’s athletics and activities program, and will serve as the district’s Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying compliance officer.

 

Director of School Support – Eastlake Learning Community

Dr. Matthew Livingston is the new director of school support for the Eastlake Learning Community (see International Community School, above). Matthew replaces Dr. Kenneth Lyon, who retired.

 

Director of School Support – Redmond Learning Community

Sue Anne Sullivan is the new director of school support for the Redmond Learning Community, replacing Jon Holmen. Sue Anne has been serving as associate director of special education for the Redmond Learning Community.

 

Associate Director of Special Education – Redmond Learning CommunityLisa Deen is the new associate director of special education for the Redmond Learning Community. Lisa comes to us from the Port Townsend School District where she served as director of special education, director of assessment and the Teacher Principal Evaluation Project (TPEP) coordinator. Lisa previously served as a resource room teacher for grades 9-12 and ALE Coordinator in Port Townsend, prior to joining their central office team. She is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher in Exceptional Needs, Mild to Moderate Disabilities, Early Childhood through Young Adulthood. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Western, her Master of Science in Education from Old Dominion University, and her administrative credential from Gonzaga. Lisa replaces Sue Anne Sullivan, who moved to the position of Director of School Support for the Redmond Learning Community. (see above).

 

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