Submitted by The Olympia School District
The Olympia School District announced today that Brendon Chertok will soon be the new principal at Garfield Elementary on Olympia’s west side. Chertok is already a principal in the district, having served in that role at McKenny Elementary since 2006. He has worked at Garfield Elementary in the past, having been a fifth grade teacher there from 1999 through 2004.
Current Garfield principal Bob Hodges will retire after the 2014-15 school year. Hodges, who has served as principal at Garfield since 2006, expressed a desire to co-lead the school with an incoming principal during the 2014-15 school year to ensure a smooth transition in this Title I school. District administrators agreed that plan would work well for Garfield students, staff and families. As a result, Hodges and Chertok will each work half time and co-lead the school next year before Chertok takes over sole principal responsibilities at Garfield in the 2015-16 school year.
“Garfield is an excellent school. I know this from my work in the District but also as a parent of two boys who attended Garfield,” said Chertok. “My wife, Rachele, and I have lived in the Garfield community for many years and raised our children here. To have the chance to play a more active role is exciting. I am looking forward to partnering with Bob Hodges, working with great staff in a supportive community, and continuing Garfield’s important work. McKenny has been my home away from home for the past eight years. I am grateful to the community, the exceptional staff and wonderful students who represent what is best about our work.”
Chertok began his teaching career in Lacey in 1994 and joined the Olympia School District as a fourth/fifth grade teacher and principal designee at Boston Harbor Elementary in 1997. He later worked at Hansen Elementary and Garfield Elementary before becoming an Assistant Principal in the Puyallup School District in 2004. In 2006 Chertok rejoined the Olympia School District as principal of McKenny Elementary.
Chertok earned his Teaching Certification from St. Martin’s University in 1994 and his Master’s Degree and Principal’s Certification from the University of Washington in 2004.
Principal Bob Hodges expressed his pleasure with the selection of Chertok to co-lead the school next year and transition in as principal. “I couldn’t be more pleased with the selection of Brendon Chertok as the next leader for Garfield Elementary,” said Hodges. “Brendon and I have partnered at Camp Cispus for the past eight years, which has given me a chance to get to know him well. He is a capable and competent leader who is well-organized and value-added every day. I am looking forward to what I believe will be a smooth and orderly leadership transition for our school.”
Olympia School District Dick Cvitanich said he feels very confident that Chertok will be a solid leader at Garfield. “We are very pleased that Brendon will work alongside Bob next year,” Cvitanich said. “Garfield Elementary is a terrific school that has a strong tradition of success because of outstanding staff and strong community support. We look forward to Brendon’s transition into the Garfield Elementary family.”
In addition to co-leading Garfield Elementary next year Chertok will also spend time assisting district administrators with a number of district-wide responsibilities.
Garfield Elementary serves about 350 students in preschool through fifth grade.
