Administration Team

Principal Sean Cassidy

It is an honor to be in the role of principal at Summit Trail Middle School. My wife and I moved to Maple Valley in 2001 in part due to the strong reputation of the Tahoma School District. The opportunity to serve our local community and our children at the middle level is something I highly value and cherish.

Growing up in a family of educators, I have always had a strong connection to the schools that I attended and have supported in my role of student, teacher, administrator and now parent. For me, as I progressed through Redmond High School, Centralia College and the University of Washington, I found great connections in student leadership, athletics and social events. I would love to help create and sustain a school environment where every student can find an opportunity to get involved and participate in a rich, safe and dynamic experience.

In 1999, I started teaching middle school students at Pine Lake Middle School in the Issaquah School District. Most of my classes were Language Arts/Social Studies blocks, but I had a few other roles such as PE/Health, Special Education, coach and administrative duties. In 2005, I took on a new position as Assistant Principal at Redmond Junior High in the Lake Washington School District. While there, we went through a major and successful grade reconfiguration shifting from a 7-9 grade junior high to a 6-8 grade middle school. This experience was later invaluable in Tahoma's version of a grade reconfiguration in 2017. Soon after, I became principal at Evergreen Middle School in the same district. With an extensive model of student, staff and family collaboration and support, we received a 2014 “School of Distinction” award for being in the top 5% of improvement in reading and mathematics.  Recently, we received a similar award at Summit Trail, now called a "Washington State Recognized School" for the 2023-24 school year for targeted academic growth.

As a school, we continue to grow as a learning organization to meet community expectations for the success of every student. This large comprehensive middle school is filled with hard working and dedicated teams and individuals striving each day to provide an inclusive experience to help each child grow and become a Future Ready student for high school and beyond. If any students or family members have any questions about our programs or classes, please reach out to us by phone or email. We want to help!

Since arriving in Tahoma in 2014, it has been a privilege to work alongside amazing staff and families in this area as both a school leader and community volunteer.  In 2016, I became a member of the Maple Valley/Black Diamond Rotary. More recently, I have represented our district as a middle school representative on the Executive Board for District 3 of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA); and as a representative on the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) Grade Level Leadership Committee for Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) 121. Each organization has provided opportunities to improve the overall experience for our own Tahoma students, as well as other children across the region and state. 

My intent with our daily actions is a desire to continually learn and grow as professionals, so we can create and sustain a healthy, rigorous and fun experience for our children during their middle school years.

Associate Principal Paul Gardner

I’m an Eastern Washington University graduate, where I earned my teaching credentials with endorsements in K–8 education, reading, math, and special education—basically, all the fun stuff. I also hold a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Lesley College and received my administrative credentials from City University, because apparently, I couldn’t get enough school. I’ve spent my entire career working with middle school students—and yes, I love this age group. Really. Middle schoolers are wonderfully weird, fiercely honest, and full of potential, and they keep me laughing (and on my toes) every single day. Before becoming an educator, I started out as a school custodian and then as a paraeducator, experiences that grounded me and gave me deep respect for every part of the school system. My teaching career began in special education and eventually transitioned into 7th grade math, pre-algebra, and algebra—because what could be more fun than solving for x with a room full of 13-year-olds? In 2007, I joined the Tahoma School District as Assistant Principal at Tahoma Middle School. When Summit Trail Middle School opened in 2017, I had the privilege of helping launch it alongside our incredible staff. Middle school is where I feel most at home. It’s a privilege to support students during these formative—and sometimes unpredictable—years as they grow, learn, and discover who they are.

Assistant Principal Brad Peter

I’m excited to be joining Summit Trail Middle School as an Assistant Principal in 2025! I’ve spent the past 20 years in education as a math teacher, Teaching and Learning Coordinator, and Athletic Director—experiences that have shaped my passion for helping students grow both academically and personally. Most recently, I served as the Activities Director at Okoboji Community Schools in Milford, Iowa.

I earned my Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Truman State University, a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Iowa State University, and my administrative credential from Morningside College.

My wife Nicole and I, along with our kids—Lleyton (6th grade), Liam (4th grade), and Collins (1st grade)—are excited to be part of the Tahoma School District and to call Maple Valley our new home. I’m looking forward to building strong relationships and supporting the amazing students, staff, and families here at STMS.