Connell Elementary holds interviews, meet ‘n greet with Principal Candidates

April 24, 2025

By: Miurlin Escalante

On Monday, April 21, parents had the opportunity to meet the four candidates selected for interviews for the position of principal at Connell Elementary for the upcoming school year. Superintendent Moore was on hand to introduce Jennifer Allen, James West, Todd Hausman, and Chris Jackson.

Jennifer Allen speaks with parents

Jennifer Allen is currently GEAR UP Director and Founder and Director of 2edvocate. Allen brings experience as principal/head of 4-12 school at Trillium Academy. She also was Assistant Director of Special Services at Kennewick School District. She was Donor Relations Coordinator at Global Mission. Director of Special Services at West Valley School District. Allen has also been a Special Education Director and Principal at Sunnyside School District. Also Principal Intern and Teacher at Opstad Elementary School. Allen stated that she loves the smaller districts and looks forward to working at NFSD. She wants to build relationships outside of school, within the community, like attending the Fall Festival. “I hope I can be here and invest in the community.” She doesn’t speak Spanish but can understand it and is continuously working on her Spanish to better communicate with the Hispanic community.

When asked, “Why Connell?” a question we asked each of the candidates, she replied that through her role in Gear Up she works with many districts but finds NFSD to be a special district stating, “It feels like home” adding how she would like to “dig in and dedicate myself to the community.” With her background with ELL and special education she would like to use that to help students here.

James West and Chris Jackson

James West is currently Assistant Principal at Cascade Elementary School and was awarded AWSP 2025 Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year. West’s experience includes Principal/CTE Director at Granger High. He has also been Assistant Principal at Granger High before he was their Principal. West also holds a PhD. He was a Psychologist at Pioneer Elementary (Sunnyside) and at Grandview School District. He’s also been an Admin Intern at Jefferson Elementary (Pullman). West loves that NFSD is a small community which makes it easier to connect with everybody. He believes in working with the parents and meeting them where they’re at. If he has to make a house call, then he will. “I’m a relationship person.” West states that he is working on Duolingo to help with his Spanish to better communicate with Hispanic parents but he does understand a little bit of Spanish.

He shared that his reason for coming to Connell is not only the opportunity to lead but also to be in a small community. He shared that he is ready to move into a principal role. He looks forward to being able to utilize data to implement strategies that help students.

Todd Hausman speaks with Board member Pat Hailey and parent Lauren Smith.

Todd Hausman is currently Associate Principal at Morgan Owens Elementary (Lake Chelan). Hausman has previous teaching experience for third, fourth, and fifth grade at various schools including Bay View Elementary (Burlington), Happy Valley Elementary (Bellingham), and Sunnyland Elementary (Bellingham). He’s also been the Director of Leadership for Teachers United and an Assessment Consultant for Riverside Publishing Company. Hausman believes in treating everyone equally. He also states we can’t turn a blind eye to bullying, when asked about it. He would address the problem and bring in resources to help with the situation to better help the student having the problem instead of just dismissing the problem or pushing it off to someone else. Hausman doesn’t consider himself bilingual but can hold a conversation in Spanish pretty well. “It’s my goal to become a fluent Spanish speaker.” He states he practices Spanish everyday for 20 to 30 minutes.

Hausman would like to stay in a small community and doesn’t currently see room for growth in his current district. He is looking to move up into a leadership role and sees the opportunity to be mentored by Superintendent Moore who also served as an Elementary Principal. While he is older, he stated he has a good 10 to 12 years to dedicate to NFSD before he would retire.

Chris Jackson is currently working within NFSD as Principal Designee and Teacher at Mesa Elementary. He has been a History, PE, and Health teacher at the Alternative High School as well as an Admin Intern at Mesa Elementary. Jackson has been in his role as Principal Designee for 10 years. He also coaches various sports within the district. You may see him at various sporting events as well. Jackson loves NFSD and doesn’t plan on leaving it any time soon. “My mission is to make the world a better place.” Jackson is a bit self conscious about his Spanish but can hold a decent conversation and get his point across. He states he tries to practice with his students because they’re quick to correct him when he says something wrong but he can have a conversation with parents with little help.

Jackson, who is already a member of the NFSD family, just sees this as an opportunity to advance his career in the district he loves. He has already served as summer school principal. Although, if he doesn’t get selected he isn’t going anywhere.

Superintendent Moore stated initially they had 12 candidates but narrowed those down to the four. He added that they would be taking staff input, along with the parent feedback from Monday, to select two candidates to move on in the interview process. By Friday, April 25, they should have the candidate they want to present to the school board as a suggestion to hire. Stay tuned for that announcement.