As a director of schools for the past three years, Christopher Carter has provided leadership and support to schools in our southeast, southwest, and central regions.

He has been an educator for more than 25 years.  

Carter started as an elementary teacher in Long Beach, Calif., before returning home to Seattle. He joined Seattle Public Schools in 1997 serving as a middle school teacher, house administrator, and principal. In 2018, Carter earned the Thomas B. Foster Principal of the Year Award, which honors leadership in accomplishing equity driven outcomes for students.  

Carter’s leadership extends outside of Seattle Public School as well. He served as an assistant principal at Highline Public School and as a K-12 regional school director in Federal Way Public Schools. Carter also did leadership work with the Global Cities Education Network, which focused on learning from high performing educational systems around the world to identify and apply what great systems do in support of professional learning and its impact on student achievement. 

As an educational leader, Carter believes our principals are the most important leaders in our system and believes strongly in the spirit and power of collaboration. 

Carter holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Washington and principal certification from Western Washington University. 

As a product of Seattle Public Schools, Katrina Hunt has a deep personal connection to the district and a profound understanding of its unique needs and challenges.

This firsthand experience has shaped her passion for educational leadership and commitment to ensuring every student has access to a high-quality education. 

Hunt’s educational philosophy centers around the belief that each child is a unique individual who needs a secure, caring, and stimulating atmosphere in which to grow and thrive emotionally, intellectually, physically, and socially. 

With 14 years of educational experience, Hunt has had the privilege of growing and working in schools like Aki Kurose Middle School, Garfield High School, and most recently, Washington Middle School, where she currently serves as principal. 

Throughout her career, Hunt has focused on eliminating opportunity gaps and creating inclusive learning environments. She firmly believes in collaborative leadership and has successfully built strong partnerships between schools, the district, and communities. She has been able to drive positive change in every organization she has been a part of by fostering effective relationships. 

Hunt is a graduate of Ingraham High School. She holds a bachelor’s in sociology, master’s degrees in education and business administration from the University of Washington and is currently in a doctoral program at Hampton University. 

Dr. McCarthy is pleased to have taught and learned alongside schools and their incredible leaders in the northeast, central and West Seattle regions of Seattle Public Schools as a director of schools. 

Dr. McCarthy began his career in education as a dually certified math and English teacher in middle and high schools in the Kent School District. He has served as both an elementary and secondary school principal, earning OSPI School of Distinction honors for growth in mathematics as a Title I school elementary principal in the Kent School District. He was also recognized for high growth in English language arts and mathematics while working to eliminate racial disparities as a middle school principal in the Federal Way School District.

Holding high expectations and providing high support for equity-centered instructional improvement has been the focus of his work with principals.     

When not working for SPS, Dr. McCarthy serves as a lead instructor for the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff Officer Course in Honolulu after spending the last 25 years as a member of the U.S. Army National Guard and Army Reserves.   

Dr. McCarthy received his master’s degree from the University of Washington’s Danforth program in 2011. He earned his doctorate in educational leadership and policy and his superintendent certification from the University of Washington in 2021. 

Dr. James Mercer is a champion for children. He brings over 24 years of experience working with kids from underserved communities into his role as the regional executive director of schools.  

He has worked as an educator in four different states with drastically different standards for students, teachers, and leaders. These differences proved to be the catalyst that encouraged him to enter the path of educational leadership.  

Dr. Mercer has served as an elementary and middle school teacher, middle school assistant principal and principal, and a central office administrator. Additionally, he is a skilled facilitator who has worked with hundreds of administrators across the nation to improve their instructional leadership practices. 

Dr. Mercer earned his bachelor’s degree in elementary and early childhood education from the University of Toledo. He earned his master’s degree in educational leadership from Georgia State University and his doctorate in education leadership from Harvard University.