Renton School District interim superintendent Dr. Art Jarvis has announced that Damien Pattenaude, one of the district’s current area instructional chiefs, will be the new assistant superintendent of learning and teaching.
Pattenaude will take over the position, pending school board approval, on July 1.
Pattenaude is a Renton resident, who attended Campbell Hill Elementary School, Nelson Middle School and graduated from Renton High School. In his current position he focuses on supporting principals, teachers and support staff to improve student achievement, a district press release stated.
Pattenaude is known for his strong leadership, commitment to improving educational experiences for students, and his broad understanding of the instructional program in Renton and throughout the region.
“Damien is smart, dedicated and hard-working, and has the skill set to help guide the department of Learning and Teaching—and all district teachers and support staff—as we as we continue to provide the best education for all Renton School District students,” said Jarvis. “Beyond his strong capabilities and qualifications, Damien’s connect and deep roots to this community provides us all with the stability to move forward and make Renton School District an even better school system.”
Pattenaude, who grew up in the West Hill/Skyway neighborhood of the district, graduated from Washington State University (WSU) with a bachelor’s degree in English (and endorsements in language arts, English and history) and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership, and is currently enrolled in the WSU doctoral program.
He has served the Renton School District for the past fourteen years as a teacher at Renton High School, assistant principal at Hazen High School, then returned to Renton High School where he served as principal for five years. Pattenaude has been an area instructional chief for the past two years.
In 2013, he was appointed by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee to serve a four-year term on the state’s Professional Educator Standards Board.
Pattenaude will replace Dr. Tammy Campbell as the new assistant superintendent of learning and teaching, which oversees all of the district curriculum development, assessment of students, professional development for teachers and district staff. Campbell is moving on to become the new superintendent of Federal Way Schools.
