Press Release:
Dr. Susan Enfield, Interim Superintendent, has announced the following principal appointments: Kelly Aramaki, Beacon Hill International School; Anita Pinchback-Jones, Rainier View Elementary School; and Lisa Escobar, Viewlands Elementary. Dr. Robert Gary has been appointed as Principal-on-special-assignment at Interagency, joining principal Kaaren Andrews. In addition, five interim principals have been appointed as principals: Keven Wynkoop, Ballard High School; Keisha Scarlett, South Shore K-8; Kelley Archer, Stevens Elementary, Chris Cronas, Wedgwood Elementary; and Ruth Medsker, West Seattle High School.
These appointments leave three current openings at Daniel Bagley, John Stanford International and Rainier Beach High School that will be filled through an interview process. The process will include participation by representatives of staff and families.

“The key to student achievement is the quality of instruction and leadership in our schools,” said Enfield. “These incoming principals are examples of the strong leadership our schools need to ensure we provide an excellent education for every student.”

PRINCIPAL APPOINTMENTS



BEACON HILL INTERNATIONAL

Kelly Aramaki has been appointed principal of Beacon Hill International. He will replace retiring principal Dr. Susie Murphy. Aramaki has been principal of John Stanford International School for the past four years. In 2009 and 2010, the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction named John Stanford a "School of Distinction,” given to those schools that score in the top 5 percent on standardized math and reading tests. In 2010, Mr. Aramaki was awarded the prestigious Milken Educator Award. Prior to serving at John Stanford, where he also was a principal intern, Aramaki spent four years as principal at Maywood Hills Elementary in the Northshore School District. Aramaki’s professional preparation includes a bachelor’s degree in Zoology from the University of Washington, a master’s degree in teaching at Columbia University Teachers College, and a school administrator certificate through the University of Washington’s Danforth School.

INTERAGENCY ACADEMY

Dr. Robert Gary has been appointed as principal-on-special-assignment at Interagency Academy. He will join current principal, Kaaren Andrews, providing an additional skilled leader to support the transformation of this program. Dr. Gary has been principal at Rainier Beach High School for five years and was previously assistant principal for nine years. Before coming to Rainier Beach, Dr. Gary taught at Madison Middle School for five years. He is known as a leader who is passionate about supporting every student to succeed and he is skilled in providing the social, academic and emotional supports that students at Interagency need to successful. Dr. Gary earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington, his teacher’s certification from Seattle University, a master’s from Western Washington University and a doctorate in education from Nova Southeastern University.

RAINIER VIEW

Anitra Pinchback-Jones has been appointed principal for Rainier View. Pinchback-Jones is currently the principal at Daniel Bagley Elementary School and served for five years as assistant principal at West Seattle High School, Pinchback-Jones spent five years as a third/fourth-grade classroom teacher at African American Academy and one year as a Grade 1/2 teacher at Madrona Elementary School. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from the University of Washington and a Master of Education from City University. In addition, she is a member of Governor Christine Gregoire’s task force on Early Learning and Seattle Public Schools’ Special Education Transition Review Team.

VIEWLANDS

Lisa Escobar has been appointed principal for Viewlands. Escobar, a Seattle Public Schools administrator since 2004, has been a principal at Nova, The Center School and is currently co-principal at Rainier Beach High School. She held positions as an elementary school principal and assistant principal at the middle school level. In addition to her service with Seattle Public Schools, she has been a classroom teacher at schools in Issaquah and school districts in California. Escobar taught general, special and bilingual education for several years at the elementary and secondary level and did her administrative internship at an elementary school. Escobar received her degree in health science with minors in chemistry and biology from California State University, Chico. She has a master’s degree in special education from San Jose State University, where her focus was on engaging Spanish-speaking parents in the IEP (Individualized Education Program) process. She received her administrative credential from Chico State.

INTERIM PRINCIPALS APPOINTED PRINCIPALS
BALLARD

Kevin Wynkoop has been appointed principal for Ballard. Wynkoop has five years of leadership experience as assistant principal at Ballard, and also served as the school’s activities coordinator from 2002-2007. He is a third-generation Ballard High School graduate (class of 1994) who has worked at Ballard for his entire professional career. Prior to his appointment as assistant principal, Wynkoop taught U.S. History, World History and AP Government at the school for six years. Wynkoop’s professional preparation includes a Bachelor of Arts in Education – Social Studies from Pacific Lutheran University and a Master of Educational Administration from Western Washington University.

SOUTH SHORE
Keisha Scarlett has been appointed principal for South Shore. She was an assistant principal and mathematics instructional leader at McClure Middle School for two years. She was also a principal intern at Concord Elementary and a principal intern and registrar at Denny Middle School. In addition, she spent five years as a mathematics, science and technology teacher at Asa Mercer Middle School, and was a mentor teacher for novice secondary mathematics and science teachers across Seattle Public Schools. She has also served as a middle school mathematics coach. Her professional preparation includes a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, a Master of Teaching in Elementary Education from Heritage University in Toppenish, WA., and educational administration credentials from the University of Washington.

STEVENS

Kelley Archer has been appointed principal for Stevens. She spent three years in Seattle Public Schools, working as a reading, literacy and ELL coach from 2007-2009. In 2009-2010, she served as a principal intern both at Stevens and at Beacon Hill International through the University of Washington’s Danforth Educational Leadership Program. She also has significant classroom experience, having taught elementary education in two schools in California from 1994 to 2002. In addition, Archer worked for Central Washington University as an adjunct professor in the educational linguistics program from 2005 to 2007. Her professional preparation includes a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from California State University, Chico, and a Master of Arts in Reading Education from Chapman University. She is working on her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction, language, literacy and culture at the University of Washington. She is also bilingual in Spanish and English.


WEDGWOOD

Chris Cronas has been appointed principal for Wedgwood. He was the assistant principal at Nathan Eckstein Middle School, a position he held for two years. Prior to his assistant principal role, Cronas was an instruction and curriculum coach for three years. He also taught four years overseas in Japan, and is fluent in Japanese. His professional preparation includes a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and English Education from Ithaca College and Master of Education from the Danforth Educational Leadership Program at the University of Washington.

WEST SEATTLE
Ruth Medsker has been appointed principal for West Seattle High. Medsker has extensive administrative and classroom experience, serving for five years as an education director for Seattle Public Schools. She is also a former principal and assistant principal at Mercer Middle School.

In addition, Medsker served as a math, reading, health and special education-resource teacher at Whitman Middle School and as a special education-emotional behavior disabilities teacher at McClure Middle School. In 2004, Medsker received the Alliance for Education’s Thomas B. Foster Award for Excellence for outstanding leadership. She was also honored twice by the Association from Washington School Principals: as a Seattle Regional Distinguished Principal in 2004 and as a Seattle Regional Distinguished Assistant Principal in 2003 Her professional preparation includes a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Washington State University and a Master of School Administration from Western Washington University.