By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
Former Garfield High School Principal Ted Howard II says that he is “coming home” as he has been appointed as the Assistant Superintendent of Strategy and Climate for Seattle Public Schools (SPS). In this new role, Howard will work with school leaders, educators, students, and families to create and maintain highly favorable conditions in schools and will report directly to Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brent Jones.
Born and raised in Seattle, Howard comes from a long line of educators. He served 16 plus years as Principal of Garfield High School. During his tenure at Garfield, the school was recognized for two consecutive years as a School of Distinction. In addition, Garfield received the distinguished honor from the State of Washington for School Improvement. The school was also named as one of the top high schools in the United States for over 10 years and won the Golden Apple Award as a school demonstrating academic excellence at all levels. Under his leadership, the school also won district and state championships in many of their sports and activity programs for both girls and boys.
“I am thrilled to be coming back home where my parents taught and served in leadership in Seattle Public Schools,” says Howard. “It is because of my dedication to the students and families of the Seattle Public School District that I am returning to be a part of the leadership team and to learn and lead again.”
Howard, a dedicated educator for more than 25 years, joins the Seattle Public Schools’ leadership team after serving as the Chief Academic Officer for the Tukwila School District. According to Howard, his tenure in education has allowed him to experience a plethora of roles as an educator. He initially began his career as an instructional assistant and home school coordinator and continued in his career in education as a teacher, head teacher, high school assistant principal, principal, and president of the Principal Association for SPS.
“I am excited about this return because I am not the same person as when I left [SPS], I have grown,” says Howard. “I learned while I was principal that kids come in as freshmen and by the time they reach twelfth grade they are a totally different person and that’s me in a sense.”
“I went to school here, my teaching career started here, I know principals here, I know teachers here, kids, family this is where I grew up,” added Howard. “It wasn’t a hard choice to come back to SPS and this second go around there is a lot of work to be done and unfinished business for me personally.”
During his time away from SPS, Howard received his Executive Leadership – Superintendent Certification from City University. His unique combination of education and leadership skills along with his passion for making sure that students have the necessary skills and support they need to succeed allows him to connect with people on many levels. In addition, he is able to understand and provide solutions to many of the issues students, parents and fellow educators face in today’s learning environment.
“Receiving my superintendent credentials and coming back I’ve learned so much and I want to take what I’ve learned and support Dr. Jones in this mission of creating an environment for all students to be successful and that’s the main reason I came back,” said Howard. “Another reason for my return to SPS is [to serve] as a Black male role model and mentor. Coming back into the system and fulfilling and continue the idea of supporting all kids to reach their dreams is what drives me every day.”
SPS Superintendent Dr. Brent Jones is equally excited that Howard is returning in a new capacity with Seattle Public Schools.
“I strongly believe that Ted’s return home will be of great value to SPS, and I look forward to collaborating with him to ensure that educational justice is commonplace and systemic throughout our school community,” says Jones.
Education has changed over the last few years, and Howard recognizes that the needs of students have been amplified, particularly socially and emotionally, since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and school districts have to adjust and adapt in order to successfully carry out their mission of preparing students to be successful in the world.
“Education is an artform with no real equation to success,” says Howard. “A time ago someone could have said this is the way to success, but today we have learned more about how students function or their needs, things have changed.”
“I’ve learned so much that as I return the expectations are going to be even greater,” he continued. “Coming back in I have high standards, high expectations for myself and the people I will be working with. You will see those things you saw at Garfield executed on a bigger format for all students to have access to education.”
With the addition of Howard and others to his leadership team, Dr. Jones is excited about the trajectory of SPS as they strive to build a world class education system that will be a model that others to follow for years to come.
“Ted Howard is well respected as a leader in the Seattle education community,” says Jones. “He will leverage his experience in education as well as his lived experience as a graduate of Seattle Public Schools to bring a sense of renewed energy and fresh focus to the district’s work with school leaders, educators, students, and families.”
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