As Executive Director of Elementary Schools, Dr. James Mercer partners closely with elementary principals and school communities to support teaching and learning, strengthen leadership practices, and ensure students receive a strong academic foundation.

Dr. Mercer brings more than two decades of experience working with kids from underserved communities into his role as the executive director. He has worked as an educator in four different states with drastically different standards for students, teachers, and leaders. These differences proved to be the catalyst that encouraged him to enter the path of educational leadership. 

Dr. Mercer has served as an elementary and middle school teacher, middle school assistant principal and principal, and a central office administrator. Additionally, he is a skilled facilitator who has worked with hundreds of administrators across the nation to improve their instructional leadership practices. 

Dr. Mercer earned his bachelor’s degree in elementary and early childhood education from the University of Toledo. He earned his master’s degree in educational leadership from Georgia State University and his doctorate in education leadership from Harvard University. 

School supported: 

Dr. Rena Deese 

Executive Director of Elementary Schools 

Dr. Rena Deese serves as an Executive Director of Elementary Schools for Seattle Public Schools (SPS). Having spent her entire educational career in SPS, she brings the perspective of someone who has served students and families from the classroom to district leadership. 

Before becoming an Executive Director, Dr. Deese coached principals, assistant principals, and aspiring school leaders as a Principal Leadership Coach, helping strengthen instructional leadership and support schools across the district.  

Dr. Deese began her leadership journey as an administrative intern and head teacher after several years as a classroom teacher. She previously served as principal of Graham Hill Elementary and Alki Elementary. Those experiences continue to shape her belief that strong schools are built through strong relationships, excellent instruction, and leaders who never stop learning. 

In addition to her work with SPS, Dr. Deese teaches future principals in the University of Washington’s Danforth Educational Leadership Program. She earned her Doctorate in Leadership for Learning and Superintendent Certification from the University of Washington and is a National Board Certified Teacher. She is also the recipient of the John W. Morefield Mentoring Award and the Thomas B. Foster Leadership Award, recognizing her commitment to developing others and leading with integrity. 

Schools Supported: 

Justin Hendrickson 

Executive Director of K-8 Schools 

Justin Hendrickson serves as Executive Director of K-8 Schools for Seattle Public Schools (SPS). He is a proud Seattle educator who has served students and families in the district for more than 20 years, having spent 17 years in the K-8 model, including Madrona Elementary (when it was a K-8 school) and South Shore PreK-8.  

During his career, Mr. Hendrickson has served as an instructional assistant, teacher, instructional coach, principal, and most recently as a principal coach, bringing a deep understanding of teaching, learning, and school leadership. As a principal, he has been passionate about building strong community partnerships and authentic inclusion for students receiving Special Education services. This includes converting Preschool classrooms to city partnered Seattle Preschool Plus classrooms and ensuring that accelerated math was open to all students in middle school. He also co-authored a book in 2021, “Race Resilience: Achieving Equity Through Self and Systems Transformation,” that spoke to his leadership at South Shore. 

As Executive Director of K–8 Schools, Justin partners with principals to strengthen instructional leadership, improve student outcomes, and foster equitable, joyful learning environments where every student feels a sense of belonging and can thrive. He is passionate about developing leaders, supporting educators, and building authentic relationships and strong partnerships with families and communities. 

He is a proud alum of the University of Washington where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture, and Seattle University where he earned a master’s in teaching as well as his principal certification.

School supported: 

Dr. Katrina Hunt 

Executive Director of Middle Schools 

Dr. Katrina Hunt is a proud product of Seattle Public Schools (SPS), a connection that has shaped her unwavering commitment to educational excellence and equity. As a graduate of Ingraham High School, she understands firsthand the transformative impact public education can have on students, families, and communities. This personal connection fuels her passion for ensuring that every student has access to a high-quality educational experience. 

Since 2009, Dr. Hunt has served in public education in a variety of leadership roles across the district. Her career includes leadership positions at Aki Kurose Middle School, Garfield High School, and Washington Middle School, where she served as principal before being appointed as the Regional Executive Director for Southeast Schools.  

Over the years, she has provided strategic leadership and support to school principals at every level, overseeing school improvement efforts, developing leaders, strengthening instructional practices, and advancing districtwide initiatives focused on student achievement, equity, and organizational excellence. 

Dr. Hunt earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology, a Master of Education, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Washington. She recently completed her doctorate in Educational Leadership at Hampton University, where her research focused on trauma-informed leadership and the retention of Black women in executive PreK–12 educational leadership.  

Schools supported: 

Middle Schools

Christopher Carter 

Executive Director of High Schools and Athletics 

Christopher Carter serves as the Executive Director of Schools for High Schools in Seattle Public Schools (SPS). In this role, he partners with high school leaders to strengthen instructional excellence, expand opportunities for students, and advance equitable outcomes across the district. He also oversees district athletics—supporting programs that provide students with meaningful opportunities for connection, achievement, and personal growth as part of a well-rounded high school experience.  

With more than 30 years of experience in public education, Mr. Carter has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and executive district leader. Since beginning his career in 1995, he has remained committed to expanding opportunities for students and ensuring equitable access to high-quality learning experiences for every child.  

Prior to joining district leadership, Mr. Carter served as a principal in SPS, leading schools that earned multiple Washington State Achievement Awards and School of Distinction recognitions for student achievement, growth, and closing opportunity gaps. In 2018, he was honored as the Thomas B. Foster Principal of the Year, recognizing his commitment to equity-driven leadership and student success.  

Mr. Carter earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington, a master’s degree in teaching from City University, and Principal Certification from Western Washington University. 

Schools supported: 

High Schools

Lynn Herink  

Executive Director of Alternative and Nontraditional Schools 

Lynn Herink serves as the Executive Director of Alternative and Nontraditional Schools for Seattle Public Schools (SPS). She is an experienced educational leader who is deeply committed to ensuring every student has access to a high-quality, transformative education.  

Before joining SPS, Ms. Herink served as principal of the Truman Campus in Federal Way Public Schools, where she led three distinct alternative schools located on one campus: a big picture learning high school; a re-engagement high school; and a K–12 online alternative learning experience. In these roles, she led the development of competency-based learning systems, expanded inclusive online programming, strengthened math and literacy instruction, and implemented collaborative, data-informed improvement processes. Under her leadership, the re-engagement high school received the Washington State School of Recognition Award for closing academic achievement gaps by race. 

Ms. Herink’s previous leadership experience includes serving as assistant principal at Federal Way High School, where she championed racial equity, instructional improvement, and positive school culture. Earlier in her career, she launched Highline Public Schools’ first high school Spanish Dual Language Program, coached teachers in multilingual instructional practices, and served as a mentor for teachers working towards National Board Certification. These experiences continue to shape Ms. Herink’s belief that meaningful relationships, innovative learning models, and culturally responsive leadership are essential to student success. 

Ms. Herink earned her master’s degree in Secondary Education and Residency Principal Certificate from Western Washington University and her bachelor’s degrees in English and Psychology from Seattle University. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and has served as a trainer in OCDE Project GLAD® and Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP), supporting educators in delivering high-quality instruction for multilingual learners. 

Schools supported: 

Alternative and Nontraditional Schools