Rick Goble came to the Chehalis School District in 2014. Prior to his time here in Chehalis, he has served as a teacher, coach, athletic director, high school principal, district office program supervisor and then Executive Director for Student Achievement before being named Superintendent in June 2024. Rick graduated from Central Washington University in 1998. While at CWU, Rick majored in History and received a minor in Physical Education. Rick earned his Master of Education degree from Regent University in 2002, his Principal Certification in 2007 and his Superintendent certification in 2013, both from Seattle Pacific University. Rick enjoys hiking, camping, photography and spending time with his family.
B.A.
Central Washington University
M.Ed.
Regent University
Principal Certification
Seattle Pacific University
Executive Leadership/Superintendent Certification
Seattle Pacific University
Joined District:
2014
Email:
rgoble@chehalisschools.org
Telephone:
(360) 807-7200
Trisha has 34 years of experience in public education and serving students and families of Chehalis School District since 2012 as the principal of RE Bennett Elementary School. In 2019, after the opening of James Lintott Elementary and Orin Smith Elelementary she was named the Chehalis School District Director of Teaching and Learning. Now, as the Assistant Superintendent, she focuses on supporting the operations of the district through her work with facilities, technology, state and federal grants, and supporting school administrators.
Prior to working in Chehalis School District she served as a teacher and school and district administrator in Elma, Tumwater and Napavine School Districts. She earned a Masters in School Administration from Heritage College in 2000 and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Washington State University in 1986.
Trisha is married to her husband Ron and they have an adult son, Connor.
B.A. in Elementary Education
M.A. in School Administration
Email:
tsmith@chehalisschools.org
Telephone:
(360) 807-7200
A.A.
Centralia Community College
B.A. Business Administration
Washington State University
Appointed:
2010
Email:
hpinkerton@chehalisschools.org
Telephone:
(360) 807-7200
Leslie joined the Chehalis School District in August 2024. She comes to us with 20 years of Human Resources experience. Leslie earned her Bachelor’s degree from Central Washington University and holds HR professional certifications from both The Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and The Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI). Prior to the Chehalis School District, she worked as the Chief Human Resources Officer for Valley View Health Center. Leslie is a W.F. West graduate and is proud to work in the community she was born and raised in, and now raising her family in. Leslie is married, has two daughters and enjoys spending time with her family.
Katie started with the Chehalis School District at the end of June 2020. Prior to that, she worked in special education in the North Thurston School District. Katie enjoys watching her kids’ sports, 4-H, and orchestra activities. She also enjoys hiking, backpacking, reading, and volunteering with her trained therapy dog.
B.A., Post Graduate Program Administration and Principal Certifications
Master’s of Science
E-mail:
khowell@chehalisschools.org
Telephone:
(360) 807-7245 option 3
Office:
(360) 807-7245
Fax:
(360) 748-8767
Rachel joined the Chehalis School District in 2001. Prior to this time, she taught at Toledo Elementary. Rachel has served as an assistant principal at the building and district level, as well as a teacher and volleyball coach. She served as a Chehalis Middle School teacher through 2013, when she completed her administrative internship. She has served as an administrator in the Chehalis School District since that time and is entering her third year as the principal of Orin C. Smith Elementary, where she previously served as the assistant principal. Rachel earned her Associates of Arts from Centralia College in 1998, and her Bachelors of Arts and teaching certificate from St. Martin’s in 2000, with an endorsement in Reading. She completed her National Board Certification and ELA endorsement in 2008, and in June 2013, she earned her administration credentials from the University of Washington Bothell.
Rachel is proud to say her children, Levi and Lindsey graduated from the Chehalis School District, and is honored to be a part of such a community-supported school district focused on student success.
Rachel and her husband, Brian, have a son, daughter and three grandchildren: Magnus, Diana and Eliyana. She enjoys traveling, walking and spending time with her family and friends.
A.A.
B.A. and Teaching Certificate
M.A.
Bothell
Principal Certification
Bothell
E-mail:
rdorsey@chehalisschools.org
Jonathan joined the Chehalis community in the spring of 2021. His education journey began in Rochester at Maple Lane High School. He then spent 11 years teaching 7th-grade English Language Arts, Social Studies, and CharacterStrong Leadership at George Bush Middle School in Tumwater. “I seek to help students grow both strong hearts and strong minds; to give them hope and a future.”
Brenda has served students, families, and communities for 27 years. She began her teaching career in 1996. Prior to working in Chehalis, she was a self- management teacher for grades K-6 for the Chehalis/Centralia Special Education Cooperative and taught 4th grade in Centralia. Brenda came to the Chehalis School District in 2003 as a Special Education Teacher at Chehalis Middle School and also completed her administrative internship. She left for a few years to serve as a Special Education Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) and Supervisor of Special Education in the Tumwater School District. In 2013, Brenda came back to Chehalis and in her words “I get to come home” to lead as the Assistant Director of Special Education for the Chehalis/ Centralia Special Education Cooperative. She then went on to serve as Assistant Principal for Cascade Elementary and R.E. Bennet Elementary. Next, she was Assistant Principal and Principal for James W. Lintott Elementary. She earned her Bachelors and teaching certificate from Saint Martin’s in 1994, Masters in Education from Antioch in 2001 and Administration credentials from University of Washington in 2005.
Brenda loves working in a school community that is committed to growing the heart and mind of students.
Brenda and her husband have a son and daughter and 2 grandchildren. She enjoys traveling, gardening, and spending time with family,
B.A. and teaching certificate
St. Martin’s University
M.A. in Education
Antioch University
Principal Certification
University of Washington
Appointed:
2014
E-mail:
bpohlman@chehalisschools.org
James W. Lintott Elementary School
1220 Bishop Road
Chehalis, WA 98532
Office:
(360) 807-7215
Merisa’s passion is to build positive relationships and help the youngest of students create the foundational skills needed for their future success. She started with the Chehalis School District in 2007. She taught first grade, was an intervention teacher and then spent 12 years teaching Kindergarten. During the 2022-2023 school year, she served as the Dean of Students at Lintott Elementary.
Merisa is happily married to Travis and they have a 7-year-old son and a 9-year-old daughter. When their family is not at the ball fields or basketball court, they love camping, hiking, traveling and making memories together.
A.A.
B.A.
M.A.
Principal Certification
Email:
mwilson@chehalisschools.org
Web site:
James W. Lintott Elementary School
Telephone:
(360) 807-7215
Chris Simpson came to the Chehalis School District in July of 2006 from the Kent School District where he was a Dean of Students and elementary teacher in both general and physical education. He graduated from Western Washington University in 1996 with a B.A. degree in both Psychology and Sociology. He earned both his Master in Teaching degree and Principal Certification from City University. He earned his additional Administrator Professional Certification from Seattle Pacific University.
He is a proud Dad to three daughters and enjoys spending time with them and watching each of them navigate their different paths in the world.
Olympic College
B.A.
Western Washington University
M.A.
City University
Principal Certification
City University
Administrator Professional Certification
Appointed:
2006 Cascade Elementary, Principal
2012 CMS, Principal
With more than 30 combined years serving the Chehalis School District, Heidi loves this school community and its commitment to our students and families. She began her teaching career in 1992, working in special education and coaching at W.F. West High School. She served as Assistant Principal at Centralia Middle School, then in 2019, came back to the Chehalis School District as Assistant Principal for Chehalis Middle School.
Heidi is married to Dave and they have three children. She loves and enjoys the people in her life as well as reading and being outside.
B.A.
M.A.
Admininstrative Certification
Regina Carr joined the Chehalis School District as Principal of W.F. West High School on July 1, 2024. She was drawn to the deep legacy and tradition of the Chehalis School District and is excited to be part of carrying it forward into the future. During her time as an educator, she has worked in large, urban settings, but her roots in the field are firmly planted in small communities. She began her teaching career in the small, rural farming community of Sanger, CA and Oakhurst, CA.
Tom Elder’s educational career started at W.F. West in 2007 teaching Science and coaching multiple sports, including baseball. In 2014, he accepted the opportunity to become an Assistant Principal at W.F. West High School where he worked in many capacities, focused primarily ASB, Math and STEM. Starting in 2023 his focus will shift as he takes on the role of Athletic Director.
Tom is married to Jessica and they have four amazing kids. When they are not busy running around to sporting events, their entire family enjoys traveling, spending time at the lake and hiking.
B.A.E./B.S.
M.A. In Ed. Admin.
Appointed:
2014
E-mail:
telder@chehalisschools.org
In June 2024, Don was appointed as the Assistant Principal/CTE Director at W.F. West High School. He graduated from Central Washington University in 2000 with a degree in K-12 Art Education and a minor in Safety Education. In 2004, he received his Master of Education from CWU, and in 2006, he earned his Principal Certification from Heritage University. In 2014, he completed his Industry Route CTE Certification from South Seattle College.
Don enjoys volunteer work, coaching, and spending time with his family.
B.A. K-12 Art Education and a minor in Safety Education
M.Ed.
Principal Certification
Industry Route CTE Certification
An educator since 2009, Christine joined Chehalis School District as W.F. West High School Assistant Principal in 2022. Prior to coming to W.F. West, Christine served in the Mossyrock School District for 12 years, with the last 6 years teaching Spanish and US History at the secondary level. She is passionate about helping all students succeed and values working with families as partners in that process.
Christine and her husband have lived in Lewis County since 2000 and have four children. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, kayaking, reading, time at the beach and traveling internationally.
Kevin has 30 years experience in education. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History from Western Washington University in 1994 and his master of education from Antioch University in 1998. He taught Social Studies at Adna, W.F. West High School, Meadowdale, Skyline and Highline and also served as Adjunct College Faculty for Centralia College, Central Washington University and Eastern Washington University. He also served as Principal of Onalaska High School from 2004-2007 and Principal of Adna High School from 2007-2011. He was hired as the Principal of Green Hill Academic, Lewis County Juvenile and Lewis County Alternative School/Turning Point in 2024.
Kevin and his wife, Melissa, have two sons, Camden and Callen. He enjoys traveling, golfing and cooking in his free time.
B.A. Political Science, History
M.Ed.
Certification
Email:
kryan@chehalisschools.org
Telephone:
(360) 740-3520
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