Wedgwood Elementary has traded its principal to Eckstein Middle School for its assistant principal.
It wasn’t exactly a “trade,” a la a couple of sports team, but sort of worked out that way. Denise Espania, who had been Wedgwood principal for two years, announced at the end of the school year that she would be moving on and looking for a new job that allowed her more time to spend with her family.
She’s apparently found that as assistant principal at Eckstein Middle School. She’ll take the job of Chris Cronas, who takes over for Espania as Wedgwood’s principal.
The moves were announced over the weekend in a letter to parents from Seattle Schools superintendent Maria L. Goodloe-Johnson. Her letter can be found on the Wedgwood Elementary Web site.
Goodloe-Johnson praises Cronas’ background as a classroom teacher, instructional coach and two years of administrative experience as assistant middle school principal. She says Cronas’ “student-centered approach means that he works for the success of all students at every level; he exhibits personal integrity and an ability to foster positive change.”
A few other details about Cronas: Prior to his assistant principal role, he was a house administrator, an instruction and curriculum coach, and taught overseas in Japan for four years. He is fluent in Japanese. His professional preparation includes a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and English Education from Ithaca College and Master of Education from the Danforth Educational Leadership Program at the University of Washington.
