Administration

Principal Sean Cassidy

Sean Cassidy

It is an honor to be in the role of principal at Summit Trail Middle School. My wife and I moved to Maple Valley in 2001 in part due to the strong reputation of the Tahoma School District. The opportunity to now serve our local community and our children at the middle level is something I highly value and cherish.
Growing up in a family of educators, I have always had a strong connection to the schools that I attended and have supported in my role of student, teacher, administrator and now parent. For me, as I progressed through Redmond High School, Centralia College and the University of Washington, I found great connections in student leadership, athletics and social events. I would love to help create and sustain a school environment where every student can find an opportunity to get involved and participate in a rich, safe and dynamic experience.
In 1999, I started teaching middle school students at Pine Lake Middle School in the Issaquah School District. Most of my classes were Language Arts/Social Studies blocks, but I had a few other roles such as PE/Health, Special Education, coach and administrative duties. In 2005, I took on a new position as Assistant Principal at Redmond Junior High in the Lake Washington School District. While there, we went through a major and successful grade reconfiguration shifting from a 7-9 grade junior high to a 6-8 grade middle school. Soon after, I became principal at Evergreen Middle School in the same district. With an extensive model of student, staff and family collaboration and support, we received a 2014 “School of Distinction” award for being in the top 5% of improvement in reading and mathematics for the state over five years.  I plan on bringing those experiences to support our students in the Tahoma School District in a variety of ways.
Through our daily actions and a desire to continually learn and grow as professionals, we can create and sustain a healthy, rigorous and fun experience for our children.
I can be reached at [email protected] or (425) 413-5600.



Assistant Principal Paul Gardner

Paul Gardner

As a graduate of Eastern Washington University, I received my teaching credentials with an emphasis in K-8 education, reading, math and special education. I acquired my Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Lesley College and Administrative credentials from City University. 
I have been working with middle school students for 30 years, both as a teacher and instructional leader. Prior to that time, I worked as school custodian and then a paraeducator. My educational career began in special education then moved into 7th grade math, pre-algebra and algebra before becoming an administrator. In 2007, I came to Tahoma as the Assistant Principal at Tahoma Middle School. In the fall of 2017, I transferred with the Tahoma Middle School staff for the opening of Summit Trail Middle School.
I am married and have two children of my own. My son is a senior in college and my daughter graduated college in May of 2022.
I can be reached at [email protected] or (425) 413-5602.


Kimberly McElreath

Photo of Kimberly

A graduate of Piedmont College in Demorest, Georgia, I began my education career in 1999 and spent the first 10 years as a middle and high school choir director. During that time, I completed the coursework for a masters of music education degree at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. I moved to Washington state from Georgia in 2005 joining Issaquah School District and accepting a position at an elementary school in Lake Washington School District in 2010. I completed a masters of education degree in school administration in 2016 at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington and received my principal certification. An educator for 18 years, this is my second year in Tahoma School District where I have served students as a music specialist and administrator.
As the parent of a third grader here in TSD, we are very proud to call Maple Valley our home and enjoy exploring the area and cheering on our Bears. I am excited to be the Dean of Students here at STMS and look forward to working with our students and supporting their success.
Do not hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected] or (425) 413-5609.



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