Tonight, when Sanislo Elementary parents, staffers, and supporters gather for a benefit at Highland Park Improvement Club, they’ve got a new conversation topic – Superintendent José Banda has just announced their school’s new principal:

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Bruce J. Rhodes as your new principal, effective July 1, 2013

Mr. Rhodes comes to Sanislo from John Stanford International School where he was assistant principal. He is committed to increasing academic achievement, increasing professional development for staff working with English Language Learners, and increasing parent participation, and he will be a great fit for the Sanislo community.

Prior to his work at John Stanford, Bruce Rhodes served in several positions in the Edmonds School District. While working with that district, he served as English Language Learners coordinator at Cedar Valley Elementary, interim principal at Hilltop Elementary, and dean of students, ELL coordinator and sixth grade teacher at Beverly Elementary. He has also taught at the college level and worked as a teacher in California.

Mr. Rhodes holds a Master of Education, with a focus on counseling education from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, and earned an undergraduate degree at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He has educational leadership and principal certification from Seattle Pacific University and an elementary education credential from Azusa Pacific University in California.

Bruce Rhodes was selected after a hiring process that included input from staff and families. The selection team committee was particularly impressed with his experience with diverse populations, strong instructional leadership background, particularly in meeting the needs of English Language Learners, proven track record of building strong relationships with all members of a school community and commitment to the high achievement of every student.

Principal Ernest Seevers, who has been principal at Sanislo since 2009, is retiring. He has spent nine years as a principal in Seattle Public Schools and was a classroom teacher in public schools elsewhere for 20 years. We thank him for his many years of commitment to public education and wish him good fishing in retirement.

Please join me in welcoming Mr. Bruce Rhodes to Sanislo.