Dr. Justin Irish
Dr. Justin Irish is Northshore School District's Superintendent. He began leading Northshore on July 1, 2025.
Contact Dr. Irish
Phone:
425-408-7701
Email:
superintendent@nsd.org
Dr. Justin Irish is an experienced educational leader currently serving as the Superintendent of the Northshore School District as of July 1, 2025.
Previously, Dr. Irish was the Superintendent of the Anacortes School District, a high-performing district in Washington State. As the Superintendent he prioritized academic achievement, equity, inclusion, social-emotional learning, and strong community partnerships. He has also addressed statewide funding challenges through collaborative, transparent engagement with staff, families, and the broader community.
Dr. Irish is a contributor and educational leader at the state level, influencing Washington’s funding model and in partnership with researchers and education leaders, advocating for equity and sustainability across all school districts.
Prior to leading the Anacortes School District, Dr. Irish was an Assistant Superintendent in the Edmonds School District, serving over 20,000 students. There, he worked with educators, principals, students, and families to advance teaching and learning, guided by a deep commitment to equity, belonging, and academic excellence.
With 25 years in public education—as a teacher, principal, and central office leader—Dr. Irish holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Washington. His leadership emphasizes trust, relationship-building, and inclusive engagement. He listens deeply, learns continuously, and leads with integrity.
Dr. Irish is honored to serve the Northshore School District, drawn to its diverse student population and vision for strengthening community through excellence in education and the belief that every child can achieve academic and social-emotional success.
From the Desk of Dr. Irish
July 1, 2025
Dear Northshore Families, Students, and Community:
I am honored to serve the Northshore School District as your new Superintendent. July 1 is my first official day in the office, and I am excited to start planning for the 2025-26 school year. My heartfelt thanks go to the Northshore School Board for their vote of confidence as well as the many individuals who gave their time and feedback during the extensive search process. I am also grateful to Superintendent Michael Tolley for ensuring a smooth transition and wish him well in his retirement.
What initially drew me to Northshore was its dedication to delivering exceptional education while fostering an environment where all students and their families feel welcome, celebrated, and fully included in school life. As I have spent the last few weeks preparing for my first day, I have seen firsthand the care and compassion that make Northshore special. Beyond its academic achievements, the district embodies the very best of our community, and it is a privilege to lead as your Superintendent.
Throughout my career - starting as a teacher to my most recent position as the superintendent of Anacortes School District - learning from and collaborating with students, parents, educators, staff, and the broader community has been a core leadership commitment and practice. Over the next few months, I look forward to hearing your perspectives through a variety of engagement opportunities. Please visit the District’s website www.nsd.org for engagement dates and details which will be posted over the next couple of weeks.
I am looking forward to building on Northshore’s many strengths and realizing Northshore’s mission - strengthening our community through excellence in education. The health of our greater community depends on the excellence of our public schools, and I am invested in making sure they work for every one of our children.
I look forward to meeting you soon.
Dr. Justin Irish
Upcoming Engagement Opportunities
Coming Soon