I’ve been in public education since 1995 when I was a para-educator at Balboa High School in San Francisco. After that, I taught fourth and fifth grade for three years in Petaluma, CA.  In 1999,  my wife was pleased at my suggestion to move to Washington. She was born and raised in Bellingham.  It was amazing to land a job on Bainbridge Island, and I felt fortunate to be a sixth grade Science and Language Arts teacher as Sakai opened its doors for the first time. I spent the next six years at Sakai, which included teaching fifth grade for a year, and serving the role as associate principal for a year. From 2005- 2008, I was the principal at Green Mountain Elementary in the Central Kitsap School District.  In 2008, I was fortunate to return to Sakai as principal.  I’m currently in my fourth year as principal of Sakai.

I’m a father with two children in the Bainbridge Island School District. While I don’t believe a teacher has to be a parent to be an effective educator, I know that having the perspective of a parent has helped me in my profession.

At Sakai, all students should expect a safe and caring environment. Students and parents should also expect a challenging academic program that prepares individuals well for their next step in the educational process. While staff continually helps students realize academic success, we also recognize that the healthy social and emotional development of students is paramount to being successful. Throughout the Sakai experience, we are interested in developing the whole individual, and in making learning fun so that children are motivated to become lifelong learners.

It's important for parents and caregivers to be involved in their children's education at Sakai. I know that not all parents and caregivers can volunteer at the school.  Being involved most importantly means communicating daily with your child about school.  It also means communicating with your child’s teacher(s), myself, the Dean of Students, the counselor and all staff.  In this way, we can all be better prepared to make meaningful connections with students, and get to know them better individually. When we all work together, it is our children who stand to benefit the most by receiving the best education possible.

Thank you!