The Kalama School Board has narrowed its search for the district’s next superintendent down to three finalists. Now, the district is inviting all staff, students, families and community members to meet the candidates during a series of public forums next week.
Each of the finalists will spend a day in the district where they will meet students, staff and city leaders, interview with the school board, and answer questions during an hour-long community forum.
The three finalists, and the time and date of their community forum, are as follows:
Jennifer McCallum, Interim KSD Superintendent
Forum Date: Tuesday, March 19 at 6:30 PM, KMS Commons
Jennifer McCallum currently serves as the Interim Superintendent for Kalama School District - a role she has held since July. She has been with the district since 2018, serving as the principal of Kalama Middle School.
With 12 years of administrative experience in education, McCallum noted in her application that time spent in Kalama has provided her with invaluable insights into the specific needs and aspirations of the community.
“Over my time here in Kalama I have seen celebrations, I have shed tears with students, staff and parents, I have laughed, I have learned, and I have watched our school community grow,” she wrote. “Being part of that school community and wanting to see it continue to grow and move forward in a meaningful direction is why I am applying for the position of Superintendent.”
McCallum earned a Master of Arts degree in Teaching (Special Education) from Pacific University, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration Management from Western Washington University, and completed the Administrative Licensure Program (K-12) at the University of Oregon.
Click to view McCallum's resume
Michele Suiter, Gig Harbor High School Principal, Peninsula School District
Forum Date: Wednesday, March 20 at 6 PM, KMS Commons
For the last four years, Michele Suiter has served as the principal of Gig Harbor High School in Peninsula School District (Gig Harbor, WA). Prior to that, she spent 12 years at Cascade Christian Schools in Puyallup, WA, serving as a principal for four years.
In her application, Suiter said she takes a goal-oriented approach to leadership, and is dedicated to sound fiscal stewardship, communication, and fostering a positive, collaborative culture.
“My leadership style centers around a clear vision that aligns with both short- and long-range goals for the district,” she wrote. “I am particularly proud of my achievements in implementing innovative programs, such as AI, College in the High School courses, and CTE courses, which maximized student achievement and prepared them (students) for their future ambitions.”
Suiter earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Azusa Pacific University in California, and a Master of Arts degree in Education from the University of Phoenix. She completed the Administrative Licensure Program (K-12) at the University of Washington - Tacoma.
Wesley Benjamin, Executive Principal of Forney High School, Forney Independent School District (TX)
Forum Date: Wednesday, March 20 at 7:15 PM, KMS Commons
Wesley Benjamin has served as the executive principal of Forney High School in Forney Independent School District east of Dallas, Texas since 2022. Prior to that, he served as the school’s associate principal for two years and assistant principal for two years.
In his 11 years of administrative experience, Benjamin has engaged in strategic planning, curriculum development, and community engagement. He describes his leadership approach as being “deeply rooted in building collaborative, trust-based relationships, ensuring that each voice within the educational community is heard and valued.”
Benjamin wrote in his application that a cornerstone of his career has been emphasizing instructional leadership and transforming educational practices to ensure student preparedness.
After completing a Bachelor's degree in Theology from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas, Benjamin earned Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Educational Leadership from the University of North Texas and Texas Tech University.
Click to view Benjamin's resume
During next week’s forums, attendees will have the opportunity to meet and learn more about each of the finalists. Questions can be submitted to the board in advance via the Google Form linked here.
A remote viewing option will be available to those who are unable to attend any of the forums in person (see links below).
The board intends to offer the position to one of the three finalists by the end of this month.
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