From Alumnus to Principal: Shurtleff’s Educational Journey
by Emily Nelwan, Reporter
School News; Staff Spotlight
After months of isolation and distance learning, students will eventually be able to walk through the doors of Kamiak. Whether it is their first time in the building or as a returning student, they will be greeted by a familiar face with a new role. Steven Shurtleff, Kamiak’s new principal, has worked at Kamiak for around 10 years as an assistant principal. I had the privilege to interview Shurtleff and discuss his overall journey in the education field.
Shurtleff graduated from Kamiak in 1995, planning to become a handyman. He initially had no intention of going to college. Unlike other faculty members, he was not someone who always knew he was going to work in education. It was not until he looked back a few years after graduating and saw how much he owed to his teachers and other faculty members that he realized he wanted to take classes again.
“I realized just how much I was indebted to teachers and staff who helped me through a time when my family really struggled financially. School was a safe place where there was hope and possibility,” Shurtleff says. “I dropped back into community college and rediscovered my love of learning.”
While all of the faculty inspired Shurtleff, helping him put aside the stresses of life, one teacher in particular kept him going. Mr. Steves taught him valuable life lessons, such as teamwork and the idea of perseverance. How could he pay the support he received forward?
Shurtleff explained, “My girlfriend (who is now my wife) encouraged me to think about being a teacher. I took a few classes and found a love for serving young people and helping them chase their dreams.” At Edmonds community college, he received his Associate Arts degree. Back then, there was a transfer option at Western Washington University that allowed him to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree there.
Shurtleff continued his training at the Woodring College of Education program for K-8 Elementary Education. He then worked as a student teacher in social studies, math, and English at Voyager Middle School. In 2005, he became a student principal in Monroe School District, then rose to the position of a middle school principal within a year; he returned to Kamiak in 2010 as an assistant principal and has stayed ever since.
During his time as an assistant principal, Shurtleff’s routine consisted of different duties everyday, including meetings, classroom observations, project work, and student supervision. In particular, he enjoyed welcoming freshmen to their first day of high school at Kamiak, as well as sending off seniors on their last day. Another rewarding experience was helping students understand something they couldn’t before, helping them achieve that “aha!” moment. Shurtleff also loves “being there to congratulate a teacher after a spectacular lesson–I feel so fortunate when I get to witness a particularly great moment of teaching and learning.”
Unfortunately, during distance learning, teachers and students alike are unable to directly interact. Without small moments that make teaching teaching, it’s hard for faculty members to connect with their students. “They can’t see the lightbulbs the same way,” Shurtleff says.
Regardless of these tough times, Shurtleff claims that as the new principal of Kamiak, he feels the same sense of pride and responsibility as before—perhaps even more strongly so.