Submitted by Rene Carroll
Sheree Gomez-Clark has been hired as the new Principal of Washougal High School (WHS) and will begin her new role on July 1, 2019. She will be the first Hispanic principal of WHS.
Gomez-Clark was hired in Washougal as an associate principal at WHS in July 2015. Prior to that, she completed her administrative internship at Jason Lee Middle School in the Vancouver School District. She also worked at Skyview High School in Vancouver from 2004–2013, first as a paraeducator and then as a special education teacher after completing her degree program. Clark is a National Board Certified teacher and is working on her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from City University.
As part of the selection process, WSD superintendent, Mary Templeton, solicited feedback from WHS staff members on skills and characteristics they felt would help their new leader be successful. “Members of the interview panel feel that Sheree’s experience as the AVID District Director and member of the district MTSS team are critical to supporting these initiatives at WHS,” Templeton said. “Sheree brings an incredible passion for supporting all students and helping them reach their potential. Sheree lives in the community and is invested in seeing Washougal High School rise to be a top performer.”
Gomez-Clark has a graduate certificate in restorative practice and is a trainer for the International Institute for Restorative Practice. This experience brings a wealth of information around practices that help hold students accountable in meaningful ways without excluding them from the learning environment. A focus of her current work has been developing teacher leaders to facilitate adult learning. She is a participant in Leadership Clark County’s Leadership Development Program for 2019, fostering connections with other community leaders.
“She also brings experience in Special Education, family engagement, and maintaining current data for student growth, goal setting and achievement to her new role,” said Templeton. “Her relationships with WHS staff and rapport with students and families, as well as knowledge of the targets WHS has been focused on for the past 4 years, will help her continue the great work being done at WHS.”
Gomez-Clark follows current WHS Principal Aaron Hansen, who has been hired as the WSD Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Student Services.
