Peterson named principal at King’s West

When an athletic team has a new group of players move in and make a big impact, the team is said to be reloading, not rebuilding. With King’s West losing a star player at the end of the school year in secondary principal, Nick Sweeney, the school is reloading with an experienced pro in Bryan Peterson. Peterson comes to Bremerton from Seattle Christian, where he most recently served as the Dean of Students.

Peterson has also been more than the principal at Seattle Christian, and has 27 years of experience in Christian education, including an 11-year stint at King’s School in Seattle. Peterson has taught history and geography, was a highly successful basketball coach, and was King’s athletic director for five years.

“I’m looking forward to coming to King’s West,” Peterson said. “It’s a good school with a good reputation in the community and a good reputation in the Christian School community beyond Silverdale and Bremerton. It’s a great opportunity for service.”

Sweeney feels secure handing the reins over to Peterson. “He’s going to be spectacular,” Sweeney said. “He went through the interview process and he was far and away the best candidate.”

Peterson has a bachelors degree from Simpson University and a masters in educational leadership from Seattle Pacific. His leadership skills have earned him several coach of the year honors and the King County coach of the year in 1996-97, and the Washington State 1A coach of the year in 1991.

“He was a great basketball coach,” said Laura Lopez, who had Peterson as a history teacher, and who now teaches Spanish at King’s West. “He was also a great teacher.” Now Lopez will experience working with Peterson in a professional manner. “It makes it feel like a family.”

Peterson is looking forward to being a member of the King’s West family. “We have a good opportunity for growth here,” he said. “I’m aware of the typical struggles facing Christian Schools, from funding to facilities, to attracting students. King’s West is in a good position to carve a niche in the community to serve families.”

“Bryan states that his professional objective is ‘to lead others in the integration of faith and learning with integrity and grace,’ said Eric Rasmussen, superintendent of King’s Schools.

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