Just in (thanks to those who forwarded it), a letter from Seattle Public Schools to families at Lafayette Elementary, whose first-year principal Jo Lute-Ervin announced three months ago (long before the investigation that has made news this week) she would not be returning for a second year:
Dear Lafayette Elementary community,
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Shauna Heath as your new principal, effective July 1.
Ms. Heath comes to Lafayette from the Kent School District, where she served as principal of Sunrise Elementary for the past two years. Ms. Heath is not only a great educator, but she lives in West Seattle and will be an excellent fit for the Lafayette community.
Ms. Heath started her career as a special education teacher in King Salmon, Alaska and then as a special education teacher for the Shelton School District in Washington. She was the assistant principal for Tillicum Middle School in Bellevue from 1998-2002, served as an elementary school principal in Clinton, Tennessee, and was a middle school principal in Riverdale, Georgia. Before moving back to Washington state, she was the pre-kindergarten through 5th Grade Instructional Services Director for City Schools of Decatur, Georgia.
Ms. Heath holds a Washington State Administrative Certification from the University of Puget Sound, and a Master of Teaching and a Bachelor of Arts from Evergreen State College. She is currently working on her Ph.D. in K-12 Leadership through Walden University.
Ms. Heath was selected following an interview process that included a school-based screening by members of the Lafayette Building Leadership Team and family community. She was interviewed by the school-based hiring team and also completed an instructional school walk through with Executive Director of Schools Aurora Lora. The selection team was particularly impressed with her knowledge of curriculum and instruction, her years of experience as a school and district administrator, and her dedication to the West Seattle community as a resident and parent.
I know you are all eager to get to know your new principal. She will be available to meet staff and families before the end of the school year. Please join me in welcoming Ms. Heath to the Lafayette community!
Sincerely,
Susan Enfield, Ed.D.
Interim Superintendent
(The website to the new principal’s current school is here.)
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