Administration

Beginning on July 1, 2023, Dr. Kelly Aramaki began his role as the Superintendent of Bellevue School District.

Kelly grew up in Bellevue, graduating from Newport High School. He attended the University of Washington and earned his Bachelor of Science in Zoology with a Minor in Music. He then earned his Master of Arts in Teaching from Columbia University in New York with an emphasis on inclusion of students with special needs in the general education setting and early childhood education. In 2018, he earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Washington.

Kelly Aramaki started his career in education as a 4th and 5th grade teacher at Newport Heights Elementary here in the Bellevue School District. After receiving his principal certification in 2003, he was appointed principal of Maywood Hills Elementary in the Northshore School District. After four years at Maywood Hills, he served as the principal of the John Stanford International School in the Seattle Public Schools, during which he received the National Milken Educator Award. From there, he served as the principal of Beacon Hill International School, where he was named Washington State Principal of the Year in 2013. He then served for five years as an Executive Director of Schools in Seattle supervising K-12 schools in the southeast region as well as elementary schools across the city. In 2018, he returned back home to Bellevue to take on the role of Executive Director of Schools, overseeing half of the elementary schools.

Kelly and his wife and daughter live in Bellevue near Interlake High School. They enjoy spending time in the community as well as traveling to and exploring new places.

Eva Collins is the Deputy Superintendent for Student Academic Performance and Instructional Leadership. In her role, Eva works with curriculum, instruction, and student services. This work includes providing instructional leadership and professional development for principals.

Eva grew up in Everett and graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and education. She began her career in education teaching Kindergarten through third grade in the Edmonds School District. Eva participated in the first year of the Danforth Educational Leadership Program at the University of Washington, earning her principal certification and a Masters degree in education administration. She served as a principal at Bennett Elementary and Enatai Elementary before moving into central office administration.

Eva has been a parent in the district since 1993. She enjoys family traditions and spends most of her free time on a sideline cheering her youngest son, Max.

Melissa deVita is the Deputy Superintendent for Financial Services and Operations. Melissa is responsible for the financial and general business operations of the district including finance, budget, payroll, information/ technology infrastructure, building projects, maintenance, custodial services, transportation, and nutrition services.  Her role involves general oversight for the financial health of the district as well as the general business operational structure which impacts Bellevue’s ability to offer quality educational services.

Prior to Bellevue, Melissa was the Chief Operations Officer and Chief Financial Officer for the Mesa County Valley School District in Grand Junction, CO.  Her career in education follows a 16 year career as a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting—leading global resource planning and management projects for Fortune 50 clients such as McDonald’s, Eli Lilly, Caterpillar, Abbot Laboratories, and Proctor and Gamble.  Melissa has a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Administration from Kettering University and a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.  Melissa joined the district in 2013.

Melissa and her husband Jeff are parents to Gabriella and Nico.  An active mom, Melissa spends her spare time traveling with her family, cooking and juggling the wide range of duties of an active hockey and dance mom.

Jeff Thomas is the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources.  Jeff is responsible for the human resource functions which include recruitment, hiring, retention, evaluation, managing bargaining and integration of support systems for all Bellevue employees.  His role is demonstrative of the interdependence of Human Resources with all of our schools and departments to support the Mission of BSD and the focus on students.

Prior to Bellevue, Jeff spent nine years in the Scottsdale Unified School District, the last two serving as the Associate Superintendent with a focus on strategic planning and community outreach.  Jeff started his career in 1988 as a high school English and Spanish teacher in Tucson, Arizona after graduating from the University of Arizona.  In 1996 Jeff began working as a UniServ Director/Organizational Consultant for the Arizona Education Association until 2005 when he joined Scottsdale.  Jeff earned his master’s in 1996 and his doctorate from Arizona State University in 2011, both in educational leadership and administration.

Jeff is a practitioner of continuous improvement and Interest Based strategies, both of which have significantly impacted his view of educational leadership and support for schools.  His wife, Susan, is a middle school principal and his son, Alek currently lives in Prescott, Arizona.  They enjoy traveling, sports, anything outdoors and have a long list of places to visit.

Shannon M. McMinimee has been practicing education and employment law since graduating with honors from the University of Washington School of Law in 2003. During law school, Shannon was a Managing Editor of the Washington Law Review and interned with the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington, and the Seattle School District. Prior to law school, she worked in social services. Shannon graduated from the University of Washington in 2000, where she was in the Political Science Honors Department and majored in Political Science and Societies and Justice.Shannon started her legal career with an international law firm, focusing on litigation and employment law. In 2006, Shannon joined the General Counsel’s Office of the Seattle School District where she handled a wide variety of legal issues, including special education, constitutional, and enrollment matters. She successfully defended the district in numerous high-profile suits, including assisting in the defense of that district’s student assignment plan before the U.S. Supreme Court. In March of 2010, Shannon joined a regional firm where she represented school districts of all sizes and served as the outside General Counsel for Camp Fire of Puget Sound. In August of 2011, Shannon became the General Counsel of the Tacoma School District, where she led the District’s Legal Services, Worker’s Compensation, Public Records, and Safety/Security departments. In Tacoma, Shannon managed all litigation, including handling cases herself, supervising staff attorneys in their representation of the TSD, and overseeing the work of over a dozen outside counsel on a variety of matters. She also provided guidance to the school board and senior leadership on major initiatives, advised central and building-based administrators on an array of legal issues, drafted policies and procedures, and provided frequent trainings for district staff on topics ranging from preventing and reporting educator sexual misconduct to student speech and religious accommodation.

After leaving the TSD, Shannon maintained a private practice conducting investigations and trainings for schools and colleges/universities. In March of 2017, Shannon returned to her hometown in Eastern Washington and worked as the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources for a 16,000-student school district. Shannon has additionally taught Constitutional Law classes at the University of Washington – Tacoma since the spring of 2017. She has most recently represented students, families, employees, and schools in education and civil rights issues as a partner at Cedar Law PLLC.

In addition to being a member of multiple legal associations, Shannon is a member of the Association of Workplace Investigators, the Title IV Administrators Association, and holds the highest level of certification available for Sexual Harassment and Civil Rights Investigators from the Association of Title IX Administrators. She has also obtained certification in Forensic Experiential Trauma Interviewing and Trauma-Informed Sexual Assault Investigation and Adjudication.

Shannon has received state-wide recognition as a Rising Star from Washington Law and Politics Magazine and has received national recognition for her pro bono work on behalf of unaccompanied children in detention. She is also a regular presenter and commentator on issues associated with school, employment, and civil rights law.

Janine Thorn is a marketing communications professional with over 15 years of experience in education. She has vast experience building communications processes, marketing, and public relations campaigns and is known for her ability to work collaboratively. She also brings unique skills to innovate and integrate digital, print, and in-person communications. She is experienced in digital marketing and advertising, website development, and integrated marketing campaigns, including partnerships with the League of Education Voters to produce podcasts for educators. She is keenly focused on strategy and integrating marketing campaigns to promote education, inform school communities and aid public relations. Her marketing and communications work in the education sector extends to: The National Resource and Training Center, Skylight Professional Development, Lesson Lab Person Education, Career Education Corporation, Seattle Pacific, and Northwest Universities.

As a graduate of public schools, Janine is uniquely interested in school public relations, remembering her time as a student like those she now serves. She is a member of the Washington School Public Relations Association (WSPRA) and the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA). She is currently the NSPRA National Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion.

As Chief of Staff, John supports the development and implementation of District policies and procedures; provides strategic guidance, counsel, and technical support related to strategic and annual plans and initiatives; serves as liaison for legislative advocacy and government relations; provides support for community partner organizations and district advisory groups.

John has a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, BC (Canada) a Masters degree in Administration and Superintendent Certificate from Western Washington University. He began his career as a high school social studies and physical education teacher in BC and was a long time high school principal, most recently at Mercer island High School. As a principal, he led the development and implementation of innovative curriculum and programs and created student-centered learning communities that serve all students.

John joined the Bellevue School District in October 2011 and lives in Bellevue with his wife Anissa and two children who attend BSD secondary schools. They also have four adult children, two of whom are educators.

Dr. Heather J. Sánchez is a passionate and visionary leader in public education with over 20 years of service across multiple educational roles. Known for her strategic innovation and operational excellence, Dr. Sánchez has significantly impacted the educational landscape through her commitment to student-centered practices and continuous improvement.

As Chief of Schools, Dr. Sánchez has been instrumental in overseeing the district's PreK-5 schools and facilitating the development and implementation of district strategic and annual plans as a member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet. Her leadership ensures that these plans and priority goals are effectively executed, fostering a culture of service and improved student outcomes. She has managed large-scale budgets, led successful school-based facilities expansion projects, and facilitated essential funding through support of bond and levy initiatives. These efforts have contributed to Bellevue being recognized as a top public school district in Washington State.

Dr. Sánchez's approach to education is marked by collaboration and innovation. She has led for expanded mental health services, launched school-based dual language programs in multiple languages, and developed STEM-focused educational models. Her ability to build strong community partnerships and engage stakeholders has been crucial in achieving these advancements.

Prior to her current role, Dr. Sánchez served as Director of Accelerated Programs, Choice & Innovation at Lake Washington School District. There, she focused on enhancing access to advanced learning opportunities for all students, particularly those from historically underserved backgrounds. Her work led to the creation of new choice schools and the implementation of groundbreaking programs, significantly improving educational outcomes.

Dr. Sánchez has also held leadership positions at the school level. As a Principal, she led the implementation of a district-wide technology initiative and expansion to Full Day Kindergarten, earning the Washington Achievement Award for High Progress in literacy and math. She also pioneered the district's first elementary STEM pilot school and established a successful Dual Language Program.

Her earlier career includes roles as a Professional Development Specialist and Teacher on Special Assignment, where she provided comprehensive professional learning opportunities and support for educators. Dr. Sánchez's background as a middle and high school teacher, elementary literacy coach, and gifted coordinator underscores her lifelong commitment to fostering academic excellence.

Dr. Sánchez holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and an Executive Leadership & Superintendent Certification from Seattle Pacific University, an M.S. in Curriculum & Instruction and K-12 Principal Credential from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, and a B.S. in Secondary Education from Western New Mexico University. She is certified as a Superintendent and PreK-12 Principal in Washington State.

In recognition of her contributions to education, Dr. Sánchez has received numerous awards, including the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) Doyle E. Winter Excellence in Educational Leadership Award and the Washington State School Achievement Award. She also actively participates in professional organizations and community boards, sharing her expertise in service of furthering educational excellence and opportunity for all students.

Originally from New Mexico, Dr. Sánchez is passionate about celebrating cultural and linguistic diversity and ensuring that all students have access to enriching educational experiences. Outside of her professional endeavors, she enjoys traveling and outdoor activities with her husband, César, and their three sons.

Aaron Miller is the Chief of Schools – Secondary. He provides leadership and support for creating and sustaining powerful and equitable learning environments for all BSD middle and high schools. He serves on the Superintendent’s Cabinet, which is responsible for the strategic leadership of the school district, including the implementation of the Strategic and Annual Plans. His responsibilities include regular collaboration with school leaders, educators, staff, students, families, and community partners.

Mr. Miller has previously served in the Bellevue School District for 21 years as Director of Schools, Middle School Principal, High School Assistant Principal, Dean of Students, and Teacher. In each of his roles, he has prioritized the goal of deeper learning for students, emphasizing the central importance of student understanding, identity, and creativity to foster agency and independence.

Mr. Miller earned his administrator certification from the University of Washington’s Danforth Educational Leadership Program, Master of Education in Teaching and Curriculum from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Ancient Studies from Washington University in St. Louis.

Mr. Miller enjoys spending time with his two daughters, reading, cooking, and being outdoors.

Dr. Melisa Macias is an educational leader with over fifteen years of experience in promoting equitable outcomes, fostering collaboration, empowering educators, and centering students in all initiatives.

As Executive Director, Dr. Macias supports and supervises Counseling, Multilanguage, Early Learning, Advanced Learning, and Innovation departments within the district. She is responsible for developing and implementing the district’s strategic plan and priority goals. She oversees the curriculum for all subjects and grades in elementary, guiding the adoption of instructional resources and working closely with the curriculum staff to provide quality resources and instructional practices. She also supports teacher leader coaches and professional development in the district.

Previously, Dr. Macias served as a Teaching and Learning Director, where she coordinated the induction program for new teachers and expanded Computer Science to six elementary schools. She has also been a principal in schools with Title I and Dual-Language programs and served as Assistant Principal of Tillicum School, overseeing AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), MLL (Multilanguage) services, and ISA (International Spanish Academy). Her career began as a classroom teacher, Multilanguage/Bilingual Facilitator, and Language Arts Specialist.

Dr. Macias holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, a master’s degree in educational leadership from Arkansas State University, and a doctoral degree in educational leadership from the American College of Education.
In her free time, Dr. Macias enjoys traveling with her husband Ricardo and their two boys, Mason and Milo. They have traveled to Europe, Asia, North America, Australia, and Africa, believing in exposing their children to different cultures and traditions.

With roots in Monterrey, Mexico, Dr. Macias is committed to fostering an inclusive educational environment that celebrates cultural and linguistic diversity. She believes in the limitless potential of the Bellevue School District community and strives for innovation, holistic student development, and continuous improvement to ensure every student’s success from preschool through 12th grade.

Scott Powers serves as the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning. In this role, Scott's key responsibilities encompass supporting the Strategic and Annual Plan in Special Education, Career and Technology Education, Instructional Technology, and the supervision of secondary instructional programs.

With a background in education, Scott has previously held the role of Director of Teaching and Learning for the last five years. Prior to that, he served as the principal at Sammamish High School and Bellevue High School within the Bellevue School District, and served as an Assistant Principal at Mariner and Kent Meridian high schools. Scott holds an undergraduate degree in Mathematics from the University of Washington and earned his Principal certification through UW's Danforth Program.

Scott is originally from Southern California but moved to the Spokane area in upper elementary. This has spurred his passion for personal endeavors, Scott enjoys skiing and surfing, balancing his dedication to education with adventure. 

Shomari Jones is the Director of Equity and Strategic Engagement. In his role, he is charged with engaging district staff in thoughtful exploration of institutionalized racism and its impact on student learning. He provides professional learning experiences that support educators to develop the will, skill, knowledge, and capacity to eliminate racial disparities and achieve systemwide equity and excellence for the entire school district. In addition, Shomari now heads the district’s Family Engagement efforts,  launching a department at the Bellevue School District (beginning school year 2018-19) to better serve those whose voices are historically left out.

Shomari has many experiences focusing on diversity in his professional life, and through volunteering for numerous organizations around the Puget Sound Region. Most recently he worked as the Chief Operating Officer at the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, a not-for-profit organization with 82 years of activism and community experience in the heart of Seattle’s most diverse neighborhood, the Central District. The Urban League has historically focused its community work in education, employment, health and housing with Seattle’s disenfranchised African-American community.

Shomari has Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Tuskegee University. In his free time, Shomari enjoys playing tennis and traveling the world.

Melanie McGee is the Director of Program Office. She is charged with developing and leading the district’s program and initiative implementation processes, methodologies, and standards. Collaborating with district and school leaders to define, prioritize, develop, and monitor implementation of district initiatives, programs, and projects, she works to build coherence and alignment with the organization’s portfolio of work across departments and between central office and schools.

Melanie joined the Bellevue School District in 2016 as a Project Manager in the Technology Department. After successfully helping the district transition to a new student information system, she moved to the Curriculum and Instruction Department as a Program Office Manager to support the district and schools’ implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support. She also served as a member of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee and continues to support the implementation of the district’s key initiatives.

Melanie holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Dayton. Prior to joining the education field, she spent 8 years in marketing and advertising building relationships with clients in healthcare, technology, and retail, helping define their brands and executing strategic marketing campaigns before taking time off to start a family. She later converted her skills and expertise to project management, working with Fortune 500 clients to bring their enterprise data visions to reality. Now building upon those experiences and championing implementation science best practices, she continues to support the district in creating systems and structures to improve outcomes for each and every student.

Melanie lives in Bellevue with her husband and three children. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, running, and playing board games with family and friends.