Their buildings are quiet right now \u2013 too quiet by their standards \u2013 but the five newest principals in the Kent School District are using their time to prepare for the first day of school, because they all know that when those doors open and the kids come piling in, the year moves very fast.<\/p>\n
Like the district itself, the new principals at Sunrise, Park Orchard, Neely-O\u2019Brien, Cedar Valley and Crestwood elementary schools are a diverse group from around the country, all of whom have come together in Kent to be part of something bigger.<\/p>\n
Caught on the heels on their first leadership retreat with the district, the new principals were eager to get started and excited about the upcoming year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s good for parents to know that we\u2019re just as excited as the kids are,\u201d said Christine Castillo, the new principal at Park Orchard Elementary.<\/p>\n
Christine Castillo: Park Orchard<\/p>\n
Castillo is one of two new principals that Kent parents may recognize, having worked at Park Orchard as an assistant principal. Originally from Los Angeles, Castillo said the school and the district are a \u201cgood fit for what I can offer.\u201d Castillo, who speaks both Spanish and English, said she feels at home with the Kent School District\u2019s diversity, adding that the district is \u201cricher\u201d because of it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes the experience in the class so much more exciting for the students,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Jennifer Reuland: Sunrise<\/p>\n
Jennifer Reuland, the new principal at Sunrise, also has experience within the district. Reuland said she came to Kent four years ago because of its size and diversity, as well as the level of support from the administration and other teachers and principals.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are some amazing people in this district,\u201d Reuland said. \u201cIt\u2019s like a large district with a small feel to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before taking the top chair at Sunrise, Reuland worked as educational assistant in Springbrook and Glenridge elementary schools.<\/p>\n
Linda Butts: Crestwood<\/p>\n
Linda Butts at Crestwood has come the shortest distance to her new school. Though originally from Virginia, Butts previously worked in the Renton School District, at Campbell Hill and Lakeridge elementaries.<\/p>\n
Butts lives in the Kent district and has two children in Kent schools. She said she liked the district\u2019s focus on students and goal-setting, and is excited to be involved.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know that everything they did was focused on what\u2019s best for students,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Jody Metzger: Neely-O\u2019Brien<\/p>\n
The biggest culture shock among the new teachers will probably be for Jody Metzger and Chad Golden, both of whom come from much smaller school districts.<\/p>\n
Before coming to Neely-O\u2019Brien, Metzger was the principal at Friday Harbor Elementary in the San Juan Islands. Metzger said she wanted to be part of a larger, more urban school district and Kent provided the perfect opportunity. She also said she was impressed with the friendly people and the dedication of the staff, though she admits the district\u2019s diversity, while exciting, will be a change from that of her former district.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m used to economic diversity, but ethnic diversity is different,\u201d she said. \u201cI have a lot to learn from my staff and my families.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chad Golden: Cedar Valley<\/p>\n
Also adjusting to life in a larger district is Chad Golden, the new principal at Cedar Valley. Before joining Kent, Golden was a teacher and principal in Castle Rock, Wash. After 10 years in the small, southwestern Washington district, Golden said he wanted a new experience in a larger, more diverse district and Kent seemed like ideal.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt fit well with what I believe,\u201d he said, adding that he appreciates the support structure of the larger district and plans to take advantage of his new staff\u2019s experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is more diverse,\u201d he said, \u201cbut the staff is more diverse as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
All five of the new principals cited the district and parental support as part of the reason they decision to sign on in Kent, and all credited Superintendent Barbara Grohe with finding the right school for each of them.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe matched us thoughtfully,\u201d Reuland said to nods of agreement all around the table. \u201cI\u2019m confident it\u2019s the right match.\u201d<\/p>\n
All five said they were excited to get started and looked forward to working with their new staff. But as they all prepare for their new jobs and their new schools, there is no doubt that each is focused primarily on the students who will walk through the doors Sept. 2.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to make it the best school year for them,\u201d Castillo said, eliciting another round of vigorous agreement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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