Tim Lee has been appointed as the new Black Diamond Elementary School Principal. Tim comes to Black Diamond Elementary after serving as Principal at Adams Elementary in the Yakima School District. During his tenure in the Yakima School District, Tim also served as an assistant principal and teacher.
Tim stated, “As a young man I could have never imagined where my career would bring me. I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a teacher. I had the pleasure of working with teachers who truly cared about me as a person; this is what led me to the profession of education. I can only hope that I have and will continue to have this type of impact on the children that I serve at Black Diamond Elementary School.”
The interview process was rigorous and thorough. A 12-member team comprised of Black Diamond Elementary teachers, staff and parents, along with district and building leaders, interviewed five top applicants from the initial pool. The interview team nominated two final candidates, who spent an evening meeting with Black Diamond Elementary staff, parents and community in a town hall type meeting sharing their backgrounds and answering questions. Thorough referencing was done and no matter who was called about Tim, the responses of praise and admiration about his leadership coupled with a plea not to take him were the constant themes from people on his reference list to random calls to the school district. After second level interviews with district staff, Mr. Lee was offered the position to lead the Black Diamond Elementary Miners as Principal.
During the interview process, Tim shared his leadership philosophy is rooted in three values every child deserves to learn. We learn and teach best together. Positive relationships between students, staff, parents and community are the key to a successful school.
Current Black Diamond Elementary Principal Gerrie Garton will transition to her new role as Director of Students Support Services beginning July 1, 2019 replacing longtime Enumclaw School District leader Keri Marquand who will be retiring. Tim Lee will begin in his new role on that same day. Please join us in welcoming our new team member!
