Stefanie Virgen has been hired by the School District of Washington as the new assistant principal at South Point Elementary, effective July 1, 2023. The Board of Education approved the hire during its February 15 meeting.
Virgen will replace Melanie Trentmann, who will retire following the 2022-23 school year.
Virgen currently teaches seventh- and eighth-grade Challenge at Washington Middle School. She also teaches eighth-grade Intro to Vet Med, eighth-grade Outdoor Academy, and seventh-grade Intro to Outdoor Ed. She has been with the School District of Washington for 12 years, all at the middle school, serving in various teaching capacities. She also has spent time serving in multiple teacher-leadership roles at WMS and for the District. She was awarded the 2021 "Inspiring the Next Generation" award and the 2018 "Emerson Teacher of the Year" award.
“I’m super excited. This is such a great opportunity to be able to join amazing work that’s already happening. To be a part of the South Point staff is going to be a great honor,” Virgen said. “The district initiatives that I’ve been a part of, South Point is already doing those things. They are doing the climate and culture. They are showing how they care about their students. They are working through the MTSS process. These are all things that I really want to be a part of. I could not have better mentors to come on board with than the leadership that’s there. Mrs. Harty (South Point Elementary Principal Aimee Harty) is someone who I’m so impressed with every time I talk to her. I know I will learn so much from her.”
Prior to working for the SDOW, Virgen was with Spokane R-VII Schools for three years as the district-wide Gifted Program Facilitator. She has been in education for 15 years.
A Washington High School graduate, Virgen has a Bachelor’s Degree from Missouri State University in English Education, a Master’s Degree from Drury University in Gifted Education and an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University.
“We are very excited to have Mrs. Virgen join our South Point team. She brings fresh perspective and will no doubt support our current mission to ensure all students learn at high levels and feel a sense of belonging,” Harty said. “Our team was impressed by Stefanie’s passion for the work she’s done and her dedication to the many initiatives within the District during her tenure. We look forward to having her expertise in areas such as Professional Learning Communities and The Blue Jay Way continue to push us forward in our current practices.”
“We are excited to have Mrs. Virgen join the leadership team at South Point. Her vast teacher leadership experiences and instructional skills will be a compliment to the strong leadership at South Point,” said SDOW Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Kephart. “Mrs. Virgen is a true Blue Jay and will have additional opportunities to showcase her pride at the elementary level. “
Virgen has been preparing for a role as an administrator and sees South Point Elementary as the right fit.
“I have taken a lot of leadership roles through the years in a teacher leadership perspective, and envisioning myself in this role took a lot of time and a lot of great mentors who worked with me,” Virgen said. “When I saw the South Point opening, I immediately became excited because they are right on board with what the district is doing in building climate and culture for students and teachers. During my second interview, which was with the teacher panel, they mentioned how the culture at South Point is so precious to them, and they wanted someone who would join that. Just hearing that, and their investment in the school, it was right in line with what I had hoped for moving into any kind of leadership role.
“I didn’t think that I would ever leave the middle school. Seeing what South Point was doing pulled me in that direction. It’s hard to fly the nest, but the administrators and support I’ve had here at the middle school made me ready.”
Stefanie and her husband, Andy, have two daughters, both of whom attend Washington Middle School. Tatum is in eighth grade and Delia is in seventh grade.
Melanie Trentmann to Retire
Melanie Trentmann has been assistant principal at South Point Elementary for 10 years and has been with the SDOW for 21 years.
“I could not imagine a better place to work. Our staff and students are the best. Our staff have high expectations for each other and for the students. They also care about one another and support each other professionally and personally,” Trentmann said. “Prior to South Point, I had the opportunity to work with staff in every building in the district. The School District of Washington has been a great place to work and educate my children.”
“Melanie will certainly be missed around South Point. She has been a pillar of support for all students and staff. She always worked to ensure that South Point students had what they needed to be successful in school,” Harty said. “Melanie was always willing to support staff as she could and was instrumental in making South Point Elementary the amazing place it is. We wish her much happiness in her retirement and look forward to having her come back to visit.”
Stefanie Virgen will take over as assistant principal at South Point Elementary, effective July 1, 2023.
South Point Elementary Assistant Principal Melanie Trentmann will retire following the 2022-23 school year.