By Erica Browne Grivas
The wait is over for knuckle-biting parents at Daniel Bagley Elementary (7821 Stone Ave N).
Erika Ayer, now Assistant Principal of Pathfinder K-8 in West Seattle, will be Bagley Elementary’s principal for the 2011-2012 school year.
Bagley’s fourth principal in five years, Ayer replaces Anitra Pinchback-Jones, who began last September. (You can read more about Bagley’s background here.) Bagley parents learned the news today (May 19, 2011) in a May 18 letter signed by Susan Enfield, Seattle Public Schools Interim Superintendent, and forwarded via e-mail.
Erika Ayer (used with permission of Pathfinder K-8 School)
“We’re going to miss her. Our loss is certainly your gain,” Linda Thomson, Pathfinder’s Administrative Secretary, told My Green Lake. “We’ve had her for two years. When they told us yesterday, the staff was like, ‘Nooooo!!’ It’s been great to have someone who’s so willing to be involved,” she added.
At Pathfinder, Ms. Ayer currently “…supervises teachers and classified staff, leads teacher professional development, facilitates the school improvement process, analyzes and monitors student growth data, and manages various budgets,” the letter says.
Ms. Ayer holds a Master of Education in Educational Administration from Seattle University and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from New York University. Raised in New Jersey, she moved to Seattle in 2003.
“She values developing positive and productive relationships with co-workers, students, families and the community,” Ms. Enfield writes. “She is a systemic thinker and enjoys collaborating with others to create plans and systems for the students in Seattle Public Schools.” This will come in handy in Bagley’s close-knit community of families and administrators.
Ayer’s educational experience includes:
· Assistant Principal at Meany Middle School until its closure in 2009;
· House Administrator and administrative intern at Meany Middle School, and Elementary School teacher of music;
· General and instrumental music teacher for the Clarkstown Central School District in New York.
A team from Bagley of administrators, teachers and parents interviewed a series of candidates, and final interviews were conducted by Seattle Public Schools Interim Superintendent Susan Enfield and the regional executive director.
“We’re thrilled with the selection of Ms. Ayer, and believe her strong understanding of the educational system and her experience as a leader and educator makes her a wonderful fit at Bagley,” says Ms. Enfield in her letter.
Welcome to Green Lake, Ms. Ayer!
