2025-26 Administrative Staffing Updates

Below you will find a summary of administrative changes that took place on or after July 1, 2025. Some of these changes were already shared this last spring as part of the Administrative Center reorganization and budget reduction process. Other staffing changes were made in response to retirements and or school staffing allocations. 
 

Organizational Change and Student Advancement

Dr. Ayva Thomas is the Executive Director of Organizational Change & Student Advancement. Dr. Thomas oversees Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), Gender Inclusive Schools, the Native Education Program, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Racial and Educational Justice, and Student Services. Additionally, she will continue to codesign district supports/services with youth, facilitate professional learning, and enact collaborative partnerships with families and communities. Dr. Thomas was previously the Executive Director of Racial and Educational Justice. 

Dr. Chris Bigelow has temporarily returned to Northshore to fulfill the role and responsibilities of the Director of Student Services from Aug. 18 to Dec. 31. Dr. Bigelow has previous experience in the Director of Student Services role in the Northshore School District and will be able to help us maintain our student services leadership and support in Rick Ferrell’s absence. Ferrell has taken a leave of absence and he’s anticipated to return in early January 2026.

 

Division of Teaching and Learning

Molly Fiske is the Assistant Director of Early Childhood. She supports all of the early childhood programs at Sorenson and Woodmoor. Fiske was previously a special education teacher at Sorenson, an assistant principal at Woodmoor, and most recently the assistant principal at Sorenson. In her current role, she works closely with staff and families to ensure that our youngest learners have strong foundations for success.

Dr. Melissa Ward is the Special Education Assistant Director of Early Learning. She serves Head Start as the Center Director, oversees compliance with Head Start and the PSTAA grant, supervises the Early Childhood Family Support Specialists, and leads the Early Childhood Evaluation Team. Dr. Ward was previously a school psychologist and a Special Education Director.

 

Division of Facilities and Operations

Forrest Baker is the new Executive Director of Technology. He brings over 20 years of experience in educational technology across both K-12 and higher education, with a background spanning operational and instructional leadership to Northshore. Most recently, he served for five years as Executive Director of Technology Services at the Lake Washington School District.

 

Schools

High Schools

Dr. Kimberly Jensen is the interim principal of Bothell High School for the 2025-26 school year. She brings 19 years of experience in education—as a teacher, instructional coach, dean, assistant principal, and high school principal. Most recently Dr. Jensen served as the principal of Mead High School in Spokane.

Ari Bernal is an assistant principal at Bothell High School. Bernal brings his experience as a social studies teacher, academic and behavior interventionist coach, and high school assistant principal to Bothell High. Bernal most recently was an assistant principal at Mt. Vernon High School in the Mt. Vernon School District.

Madeline Mason has rejoined Woodinville High School as an assistant principal. She served in the same role at Woodinville during the 2023-24 school year, so this is a return to the Falcon family for Mason. Last year, she served as an assistant principal at Jackson High School in Everett Public Schools.

 

Middle and Elementary Schools: South and West Pathways

Tina Neil has been part of the Northshore School District for nearly two decades, serving in a variety of roles including paraeducator, office manager, special education teacher, dean of students, and interim assistant principal. She is honored to continue her journey in education as the assistant principal at Northshore Middle School. Neil is committed to supporting students, staff, and families, and building a safe, inclusive, and thriving school community.

 

Middle and Elementary Schools: North and East Pathways

Talena Hagel is an assistant principal at Canyon Creek Elementary School. Hagel brings a rich background in educational leadership, including five years as principal of Moorlands Elementary and, more recently, as an assistant principal supporting early childhood and elementary programs across the Northshore School District. She is passionate about inclusive education, supporting students and building strong partnerships with staff and families.

Aishla Acevedo-Cassel is an assistant principal at Ruby Bridges Elementary School. Acevedo-Cassel comes to Northshore with prior experience as an assistant principal in the Bellevue School District. She brings over a decade of experience as an educator to our community and a deep commitment to fostering student success in equitable and inclusive environments.