Community Education

District names new principal for Peninsula High School

Josh Zarling will be the new principal of Peninsula High School next year, Peninsula School District announced. Zarling will succeed Principal Michael Benoit, who is retiring at the end of this school year after 22 years with PSD and four years at Peninsula High.

Zarling has 25 years of experience in education, including 19 years as a principal and district leader. He served most recently as the director of District Data Services at Tacoma Public Schools, while also working as a leadership consultant at the University of Washington.  

Zarling previously was a principal in Tacoma Public Schools and Clover Park School District, and at the International School of Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

Josh Zarling

“Josh brings a phenomenal track record of closing opportunity gaps and building highly collaborative, student-centered school cultures,” said Superintendent Krestin Bahr. “His philosophy of listening to the community and empowering educators aligns perfectly with our district’s mission to ensure every student feels known, supported and challenged.”

Zarling holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Washington and master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Western Washington University.  He began his career as a social studies teacher at Bainbridge High School, where he earned Teacher of the Year honors.

“From listening to PHS students so far, I have learned that they value being challenged, supported, engaged, known, and having a strong sense of belonging,” he said. “I am excited to listen, learn and partner with the PHS community as we continue building on the school’s strengths to inspire and empower every student, every day.” 

Outside of school, Zarling enjoys spending time with family and friends, and relaxing by fishing for salmon, trout or steelhead on the Hood Canal and Olympic Peninsula rivers.