WOODINVILLE—Northshore School District’s very own Cathi Davis, Principal of Ruby Bridges Elementary in Woodinville, was named Washington State Principal of the Year for 2025.
“I just feel incredibly honored to have an opportunity to represent our school and our school’s vision and values, but also to represent the State of Washington as an elementary school leader,” Davis told the Lynnwood Times. “I was really surprised by being selected and it’s really a true honor to know I get a chance to represent Ruby Bridges Elementary on a larger, national, level.”
This is the second state recognition Ruby Bridges has received after Kim Broomer, Ruby Bridges Elementary Teacher, was named Teacher of the Year for 2025 last fall.
Davis has been Principal of Ruby Bridges since its founding in 2019, bringing with her years of experience, formerly co-Principal for Kokanee Elementary for seven years, and working in the Bellevue School District before that for over a decade in various roles including: elementary school teacher, reading specialist, administrative intern, interim assistant principal and principal, middle school teacher and instructional technology curriculum leader at the middle level.
Funded by a 2018 bond, to help ease the crowding of schools in the north end, Ruby Bridges (or elementary #21 as it was called) has 43 classrooms serving approximately 500 students.
Davis was selected as Ruby Bridges founding Principal largely due to her success at Kokanee where she implemented a Multi-tiered System of Supports framework to foster students’ sense of belonging, fostered positive social skills and behavior; developed teachers’ skill sets through coaching, observations and evaluations focused on student engagement and learning; and led the implementation of professional learning communities and building an equity team aligned with Northshore’s equity policy and strategic plan.
Davis earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Houghton College in 2001. Five years later she went on to earn her master’s in educational leadership and policy studies with an emphasis on social and cultural foundation of public education from the University of Washington. During her time at the UW she also earned her K-12 Administrative Certificate through the university’s Danforth Educational Leadership Program.
Davis’ achievements in inclusive education have garnered invitations to join speaking engagements across the state, and nation.
Fellow Ruby Bridges faculty member and 2025 Teacher of the Year awardee Kim Broomer informed the Lynnwood Times that Davis is a “brilliant and determined leader.”
From Broomer’s perspective Davis, as Principal, never stops learning, refining, and fostering a sense of belonging in everything that she does. Broomer continued that under Davis’ leadership Ruby Bridges has created an academic space where students feel welcome and encouraged to be their authentic self – unrivaled to anywhere Broomer has worked in her, more than, 20-year career as an educator.
“She leads with unwavering commitment,” Broomer told the Lynnwood Times. “She empowers me to show up as an educator, knowing that I have a backing to do what’s best for kids…This recognition is just so well deserved, and I am so incredibly grateful to work alongside her.”
Broomer credits Davis for having won 2025 Teacher of the Year, she shared.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
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