Head of School Transition
Click here to hear a special message from our current Head of School, Chris Watson, and our incoming Interim Head of School, Chrissy Sinclair, as they share their thoughts and hopes for the future of Soundview.
Chris Watson
Soundview Head of School
Dear Soundview Community,
I’m writing to you today with a mix of emotions. I am honored to have been selected as the next Executive Director of the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS), effective July 1st, 2025. As such, this will be my last school year as Head of Soundview School. I look forward to supporting Soundview and independent schools across the region in my new role. This decision was not an easy one, as Soundview has been an important part of my professional journey and personal and family life. My passion and commitment to Soundview’s mission and vision remain as strong as ever.
Serving as Head of School at Soundview has been one of the most rewarding and meaningful experiences of my career. In partnership with our board, faculty, staff, and community, we have grown the impact of Soundview’s mission and strengthened our school. I am proud of what we’ve accomplished together, including full International Baccalaureate authorization, enrollment and programmatic growth, launching the Skills Collaborative program, school culture built on the values of ethics, rigor, and compassion, and much more. Our faculty, staff, students, and families have created an environment that reflects everything Soundview stands for, and I am deeply grateful for the support provided me throughout my tenure.
As I step into my new role next July, I am committed to ensuring a smooth and thoughtful transition and will work closely with our board and leadership team. Please see our board president Shawn Heidel’s letter below outlining Soundview’s transition plan. An announcement will also go out to the NWAIS community today. I will visit classrooms later in the school year to talk to our students about this transition.
I look forward to savoring the rest of this school year and doing my continued best to position Soundview for the future.
With gratitude,
Chris Watson
Soundview Head of School
Dear Soundview Community,
I wanted to send a note as a follow up to Chris’ announcement above. I am sure, like me, many of you have mixed emotions. This opportunity is a testament to Chris’s leadership and impact, and while we will deeply miss his presence, we are also thrilled to see him step into a position that will benefit independent schools across our region, including Soundview.
During his tenure, Chris has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to Soundview’s mission and values. His leadership has fostered an inclusive and dynamic learning environment that has inspired students, faculty, and families alike. We are grateful for the dedication, vision, and hard work he has invested in our school, and we look forward to seeing his positive influence continue to shape independent education in the Northwest.
To ensure continuity during this transition, we are pleased to announce that our current Assistant Head of School, Chrissy Sinclair, will step into the role of Interim Head of School for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years. This arrangement will allow us to thoughtfully prepare for a comprehensive search process to identify our next permanent Head of School. We are confident in Chrissy’s leadership and commitment to Soundview’s values, and we know that our community is in capable hands.
Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement as we prepare for this transition. Please join me in celebrating Chris and the positive impact he has had on Soundview, as well as welcoming Chrissy into her new role, starting July 1st, 2025. With the strength of our mission and school community, we look forward to the future with excitement and confidence.
Sincerely,
Shawn Heidel
Soundview Board President
