Submitted by The Olympia School District
Shannon Ritter has been named principal of Centennial Elementary School in the Olympia School District. The position became open with the announcement that current Centennial principal Alice Drummer is retiring this year. Ritter will assume her new responsibilities July 1 pending school board approval in late June.
Since 2010 Ritter has served as Dean of Students and Assistant Principal at Marshall Middle School. She also supports staff and students at Hansen Elementary School. Prior to joining the Olympia School District Ritter taught 2nd, 5th and 6th grades in the North Thurston School District and served as Dean of Students at Aspire Middle School and South Bay Elementary.
“I am honored to be given the opportunity to continue working with the students, families and staff of the Olympia School District,” Ritter said. “Although I will miss the Marshall Middle School community greatly, it is a thrill for me to be able to serve as principal at Centennial Elementary and continue the great work being done by that school’s talented and dedicated staff. I have lived in this community for twenty years and am very familiar with the supportive and dedicated learning community at Centennial. I am looking forward to working collaboratively with staff and parents to continue providing exceptional educational experiences that
support students academically, socially and emotionally.”
Ritter earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education with a Reading Endorsement from St. Martin’s University in 1993. She earned her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from City University in 1997 and her Administrative Credentials from Seattle Pacific University in 2009.
Olympia School District Superintendent Dick Cvitanich said he believed Ritter will serve the students, families and staff at Centennial very well.
“Shannon Ritter will be an outstanding leader for Centennial Elementary students, family and staff,” said Cvitanich. “She is student centered and always exploring ways to help them grow as students, leaders and citizens. She is highly respected by parents and staff members for her instructional knowledge, strong interpersonal skills, organization, and enthusiasm. I believe Shannon is an excellent match for the Centennial Elementary community. I look forward to her leadership for many years.”
Centennial Elementary, located in southeast Olympia near the intersection of Boulevard Road and Yelm Highway, serves more than 530 students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
