Dr. Perron recommended for Edison Elementary School principal position

Walla Walla Public Schools Superintendent Wade Smith is recommending the hiring of Dr. Julie Perron as the new principal of Edison Elementary School. Her recommendation will be presented to the Board of Directors May 16 to complete the official hiring process. Current Principal Dr. Jennifer Cowgill is returning to the classroom to help develop the district’s new middle school Spanish World Language Program. Her last day as Edison Elementary Principal is June 30. Upon approval of Superintendent Smith’s recommendation, Dr. Perron would report to her new assignment July 1.

Dr. Perron was one of three finalists for the highly-competitive position. Perron is fluent in Spanish with strong skills in additional languages. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, a Master of Arts in Administration, Curriculum and Instruction, and a PhD in Leadership Studies. Her dissertation was a case study on the efficacy of dual language and the important components of leadership that must be considered.

She currently serves as a school principal of Whitaker Elementary, a Title One elementary school in California. She maintains an impressive sixteen-year track record as an elementary building principal, with extensive experience in dual language school leadership. Before assuming her first principal role in Cornelius Elementary, a dual-language school in Forest Grove, Oregon, she served as an English Language Development Specialist and elementary dual language teacher. In addition to her elementary education leadership experience, she has also served as an adjunct professor at various universities, including Eastern Washington, Whitworth, Gonzaga, and currently National University. She has taught undergraduate and graduate level courses in Advanced Reading Methods, ELD Methodology, Second Language Acquisition, Leadership and Collaboration, and Leadership and Change among others. Dr. Perron has also consulted for various school districts in the areas of Sheltered English for Academics, Equity and Diversity and Social Justice, as well as English Language Development strategies, Common Core, and building school community. 

“We are absolutely delighted that we were able to recruit someone with such deep expertise and experience like Dr. Perron to our district,” said Superintendent Smith. “No doubt she will serve as an integral asset to all of us in  our transition to a wall-to-wall dual school and help elevate Edison to become Washington State's most sought-after dual language school!”