Trisha has 34 years of experience in public education and began serving the students and families of the Chehalis School District when she became the principal of R.E. Bennett Elementary in 2012. In 2019, after the opening of James Lintott Elementary and Orin Smith Elementary, 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. 

Heather C. Pinkerton came to Chehalis School District in July 2010. She has been a public servant since 1998. She has worked in business offices for the Lewis County Auditor and the Center for Continuous Learning at South Puget Sound Community College. Immediately prior to Chehalis School District, she worked as an Assistant Audit Manager for the Washington State Auditor’s Office. As Chief Financial Officer, she is responsible for the business functions of the District. Heather is married, has a teenage daughter, and enjoys traveling with her family. She also enjoys watching Cougar football.

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.

• B.A. in Elementary Education

Washington State University

• M.A. in School Administration

Heritage College

• A.A.

Centralia Community College

• B.A. Business Administration

Washington State University

• Associate Degree

Centralia College

• Bachelor of Science Degree Business Administration, Human Resource Management Specialization

Central Washington University

Email: tsmith@chehalisschools.org
Telephone: (360) 807-7200

Email: hpinkerton@chehalisschools.org
Telephone: (360) 807-7200

Email: lwohld@chehalisschools.org

(360) 807-7200 ext. 8209

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 communities 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 on ASB, Math, and STEM. Starting in 2023 his focus shifted to take 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.

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.

• B.A.

University of San Francisco 

• Administrative Certification

University of Washington

• A.A.

Centralia Community College

• B.A.E./B.S.

Eastern Washington University

• M.A. In Ed. Admin.

Grand Canyon University

​​​​​​​

Email: rcarr@chehalisschools.org

Website: W. F. West High School

Telephone: (360) 807-7235

E-mail: telder@chehalisschools.org

Email: cvoelker@chehalisschools.org

Website: W.F. West High School

Telephone: (360) 807-7235

Don is a proud K-12 product of the Chehalis School District. With 24 years of experience in education, he has been teaching at W.F. West High School since 2007. Don has served as a CTE teacher, an assistant baseball coach and a girl’s bowling coach at W.F. West. Prior to that he was a CTE Commercial Art teacher at Selah High School. Don is passionate about the Chehalis community and is actively involved with projects with the Chehalis Foundation, Chehalis Activators, Drew North Foundation, and the Bearcat Booster Club.

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.

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.

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. K-12 Art Education and a minor in Safety Education

Central Washington University 

• M.Ed.

Central Washington University 

• Principal Certification

​​​​​​​Heritage University

• Industry Route CTE Certification

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​South Seattle College

• B.A. in Political Science and History

Western Washington University

• M.A. of education

Antioch University

Email: dbunker@chehalisschools.org

Telephone: (360) 807-7235

Email: kryan@chehalisschools.org

Telephone: (360) 740-3520

E-mail: khowell@chehalisschools.org

Telephone: (360) 807-7245 option 3

Chehalis School District
2025 SW Salsbury Ave.
Chehalis, WA  98532
Office: (360) 807-7245

Fax: (360) 748-8767

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. She began her tenure as Principal of Chehalis Middle School in the 2025-2026 school year.

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.

The 2025-2026 school year will be Brandon’s first year serving as Assistant Principal of Chehalis Middle School. 

Brandon comes to us from Winlock Middle School, where he is currently the PE, Health and AVID teacher.

Brandon’s family moved to Onalaska when he was in 8th grade. He graduated from Onalaska High School and has lived in the Lewis County area since then. This is his sixth year as a teacher but he has worked in some educational capacity since graduating high school, having served as a coach, paraprofessional and volunteering through Young Life.

Middle School is a unique time in students’ lives but one where Brandon feels a particular calling,

“You plant seeds, you develop relationships and if you do it right, you can make a big difference in their lives,” he said.

The 2025-2026 school year will be Kala’s first year as the Principal of Orin Smith Elementary. She comes from a family with more than 200 combined years of public education service, reaching back to her great-grandmother who ran a one-room schoolhouse. She has served in public education since 2006 and as an administrator in Washington since 2013.

She most recently serves as Assistant Academic Administrator for Washington Virtual Academy, overseeing a program that serves more than 1,000 students and has more than 50 teachers. Prior to that, Kala was an elementary principal in the Kalama and Longview school districts and as a middle school assistant principal/activities director in Longview.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be named the new principal of Orin Smith Elementary,” Kala said. “I’m so impressed with what I’ve seen of the staff, students, families, and the Chehalis community.  I look forward to being part of the rich tradition of excellence and high expectations of achievement of the Chehalis School District.”

• A.A.

Centralia Community College

• B.A.E./B.S.

Eastern Washington University

• M.A. In Ed. Admin.

Grand Canyon University​​​​​​​

• B.A.design and instruction

Western Governors University

• Principals Certification

Central Washington University

B.A.

Montana State University

M.A.

University of Great Falls

Doctorate in Educational Leadership

Montana State University

E-mail: hfagerness@chehalisschools.org

Chehalis Middle School at THIS LINK

Office: (360) 807-7230

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 son and a daughter. When their family is not at the ball fields or basketball court, they love camping, hiking, traveling and making memories together.

The 2025-2026 school year will be Francie’s first year serving as assistant principal for Orin Smith Elementary. She has been a teacher for 24 years, most recently teaching 5th grade in the Rochester School District. Having grown up in Centralia, Francie said she was already knowledgeable about the high academic standards and positive reputation of the Chehalis School District. This is what drew her to want to apply for the assistant principal opening at Orin Smith.

“The community of Chehalis hasn’t changed. The community and families care about their kids. They love and support their kids and they want what’s best for them,” she said.

• A.A.

Centralia College

• B.A. in education with a reading endorsement

Central Washington University

• M.A. in education, curriculum and instruction

Arizona State University

• Principal certification

Gonzaga University

A.A.

Centralia College

B.A. in education with a reading endorsement

Central Washington University

M.A. in education, curriculum and instruction

Arizona State University

Principal certification

Gonzaga University

Email: mwilson@chehalisschools.org

Website: James W. Lintott Elementary School

Telephone: (360) 807-7215

Email: jfox@chehalisschools.org

Website: Orin C. Smith Elementary School

Telephone: (360) 807-7225