As the 2026-27 school year gets underway, we are excited to welcome several new and familiar faces stepping into superintendent roles across our region. Together, they bring decades of experience in classrooms, schools and district leadership.
Dr. Jerry Lewis, Glenwood School District
Dr. Jerry Lewis joins Glenwood School District with 30 years of public education experience, much of it serving rural school communities. His career includes roles as a high school career and technical education teacher, district CTE and technology director, deputy superintendent and 17 years as a superintendent.
Lewis believes strong relationships and collaboration among students, staff, families, community members and school board partners are essential to helping students succeed. He looks forward to supporting Glenwood students, families and the broader community.
Stephanie Leitz, Wahkiakum School District
Stephanie Leitz steps into the superintendent role with 30 years of experience in education, including 26 years with Wahkiakum School District. She began her career as an elementary special education teacher in Longview and joined Wahkiakum in 2001 as a kindergarten teacher. She went on to serve in several teaching roles before becoming principal of Wahkiakum High School, a position she held for 15 years.
Leitz has also mentored fellow school leaders and supported student leadership through the Association of Washington Student Leaders. In 2026, she received the Association of Washington School Principals’ Annalee Braley Membership Award in recognition of her support for students and fellow school leaders.
Patti Bowen, Interim Superintendent, Longview Public Schools
Patti Bowen brings more than two decades of experience in public education and district leadership to her role as interim superintendent of Longview Public Schools. She began her career with Toledo School District in 2003 and joined Longview Public Schools in 2014. Bowen also continues to serve as the district’s executive director of business services.
Raised in the Longview-Kelso area and a graduate of Toledo High School, Bowen has deep roots in Cowlitz County. She has built a distinguished career centered on fiscal stewardship, district operations and student success. As interim superintendent, she is committed to leading with care, keeping students at the center of every decision, and working alongside staff, the board, and district leadership to meet the community’s needs.
Doug Dearden, Trout Lake School District
Doug Dearden returns to a familiar role in Trout Lake School District, a community he has been part of for nearly 40 years. He first joined the district in 1987 as a history and physical education teacher before becoming superintendent in 2003. He served in that role until retiring in 2019 and has now returned to lead the district.
Dearden’s priorities include supporting the whole child, providing innovative learning opportunities, developing and retaining strong staff, responsibly managing district resources and maintaining close connections with the Trout Lake community.
Dr. Ricardo “Rocky” Torres-Morales, Vancouver Public Schools
Dr. Ricardo “Rocky” Torres-Morales joins Vancouver Public Schools with experience as an educator and administrator in school systems across the country. He began his career as a bilingual special education teacher in New York City and later served as a school administrator in Cleveland. Most recently, he served as associate superintendent for Seattle Public Schools.
Torres-Morales has worked extensively in multilingual education, curriculum, restorative practices, instruction and community engagement. He has also coached educators and led professional development focused on supporting diverse learners and improving student achievement.
Gail Moore, Interim Superintendent, Roosevelt School District
Gail Moore brings 20 years of education experience to her new role as interim superintendent of Roosevelt School District. Her career includes classroom teaching, instructional coaching, K-12 mathematics curriculum leadership and school administration.
Moore is passionate about the opportunities small rural schools provide and reducing barriers to mathematics and STEM learning. She is focused on building relationships with students, staff, families and community partners while strengthening teaching and learning.
Please join us in welcoming these school leaders as they begin their new roles and continue serving communities across Southwest Washington.
ESD 112 equalizes educational opportunities for learning communities through innovative partnerships, responsive leadership, and exceptional programs.