He’s leaving, but he’s not going far.

Sean Moss announced last month he was stepping down as the kindergarten-12th grade principal for the Quilcene School District.

Moss, who has been principal in Quilcene for six years, will become the new assistant principal of School Culture and Summer School at Blue Heron Middle School.

The Port Townsend School Board approved Moss for the position at its last meeting. He will start in his new role in the 2023/2024 school year.

Moss said he was impressed with Blue Heron Principal Victoria Kalscheuer’s vision for the school and the passion she brings to her leadership role. It aligns with his own belief system, he said.

“It had to be somebody I believe in and was excited to work with. She really fits all those categories,” Moss said.

He recalled his job interview at the school, and walking in, how he felt a sense of calm, as well as the collaborative environment between staff, students, and families.

“There’s some things you can tell from walking into a building. It feels like a place where people are really trying to support kids.”

“Honestly, getting to hear about Victoria’s vision up there and what she holds important about education, I was just like, ‘I want onboard,’” Moss said. “In some ways it sounds like a dream job.”

Moss also said he is looking forward to returning to secondary education. It’s where he has the most experience, he said. “It’s some place where I think I can do my best work.”

Middle school is a crucial time for kids, he added.

“That’s when these kids are making decisions on who they want to be. Middle school is that place where we can make such a big difference,” Moss explained. “It’s my background; it’s where I come from.”

There won’t be much packing up to do as Moss switches posts. He and his family have lived in Port Townsend for the last several years.

While proud of the accomplishments that have been made in student support, parent engagement, hiring and retaining staff during challenging times, Moss said he’ll most remember the relationships that have been created during his time at the helm of Quilcene’s school.

He stressed that he’s not actually moving from Jefferson County, and still expects to keep the connections that have been forged during his time in Quilcene.

“I’m going to still follow these kids and still support them, even when I’m not their principal.”

“We can change roles throughout life; that doesn’t mean we stop having relationships with the people we care about,” he said.