Meet the Assistant Principals for 2024-25
Garfield is welcoming Tamar Coleman and Ivery Rhodes as Assistant Principals in 2024-25, joining Ida Acton, who has been at GHS since 2020.
Learn more about all three “APs,” in their own words!
TAMAR COLEMAN
“I am ecstatic to join the Garfield High School family. I bring over 14 years of dedication to education, with the last seven years spent at Ingraham High School in various roles, including House Administrator.
“As an educator, I live to serve others and look forward to serving the students, parents, teachers, and the Garfield High School community. My leadership journey is driven by wanting to uplift, support, and empower students farthest from educational justice.
“Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, watching Ole Miss football, and cooking Soul Food. I look forward to working with everyone. Go Bulldogs!”
- Responsibilities include: Grade 9; IEP support for last names K-Q*; SBAC and WCAS (statewide standardized tests) administration
- Email: tjcoleman@seattleschools.org
IVERY RHODES
“I am the youngest of eight brothers, a devoted son, a dependable friend, and a cultivator of joy. Growing up in the Central District, I embraced the idea that it takes a village to raise a child. Teachers and mentors throughout the city saw potential in me that I hadn’t recognized in myself, guiding me to become the person I am today. This inspired my life’s purpose: to give back to others.
“With nine years of experience in education, including two years in an administrative role supporting teachers, students, and communities, I see myself as a change agent. My goal is to inspire everyone to find joy in learning. My journey owes much to educators who believed in me, and I aim to pay it forward by nurturing the limitless potential in every child.
“Outside work, I enjoy going to the gym, spending quality time with loved ones, exploring new places, attending Hip-Hop/R&B concerts, watching movies and anime, traveling, and occasionally indulging in well-deserved couch potato time for stress relief.”
- Responsibilities include: Grade 10; IEP support for last names R-Z*; Advanced Placement (AP) test administration
- Email: idrhodes@seattleschools.org
IDA ACTON
“I joined the GHS team in September 2020 after four prior years of school administration in Federal Way and several more years of teaching in both the SF Bay Area and in Washington.
“I am the proud parent of an SPS third-grader, and have lived in Seattle since 2013. I hold an MA in Education from Mills College in Oakland, CA and an Administrative Certification by way of the Danforth Educational Leadership Program at UW.
“Fun fact: Education was not my first career, and before I became a teacher I held many jobs including (but not limited to) Truck Driver, Warehouser, Hairdresser, Dog Walker and Copy Editor. I also have more tattoos than anybody else on the Administrative Team, although Mr. Rhodes may be aiming to eclipse me.
“I came to education from a desire to disrupt the school to prison pipeline and engage in meaningful anti-racist work. Working to ensure that we serve all of our students in the best way we possibly can is the focus of my work as an AP at Garfield.”
- Responsibilities include: Grades 11-12; IEP support for last names E-J*; WIDA (ML student eligibility/non-eligibility), PE Competency Testing, PE Waivers, and WA State History Equivalency/Waivers; with Principal Hart: PSAT and SAT test administration
- Email: idacton@seattleschools.org
NOTE: Principal Tarance Hart’s responsibilities include IEP support for last names A-D*; with Assistant Principal Acton, PSAT and SAT administration
* IEP is “Individualized Education Program.” See more District information about Special Education.