Principal's Message

Hello Falcon Families,

I am humbled and honored to be the next Principal at Aylen Junior High. When I became an educator nearly 20 years ago, it has always been a strong desire of mine to serve in the community in which I live. As I step into this new role, I get to do just that. My wife Destiny and I have been Puyallup residents since 2006 when we moved here after finishing college at Washington State University (Go Cougs!). We truly believe this is a great place to live and raise our family. Our five children, Sofia (PHS), Isabel (Aylen), Emmalee (Aylen), Luke (Karshner), and Max (Karshner), all attend Puyallup schools, and we are thankful for the Puyallup School District and the educational experience it has provided to our own kids. I am so excited to join the PSD family and help do my part to provide an educational experience all of you can be proud of for your own students.

I began my educational career as a teacher and coach at Bonney Lake High School where I taught Social Studies & leadership while coaching football and basketball. From there I moved on to Auburn Mountainview High School to take the position of Dean of Students and basketball coach. I later moved into an Assistant Principal role at AMHS and have been in that position for the last seven years before taking on this new role as Principal at Aylen.

As you get to know me, you will quickly learn that I will always put the needs of our students first. Aylen Junior High is a place where ALL students feel welcomed, honored, and supported. You will also quickly learn that because I care deeply for ALL students, I will hold each of them to a high standard. We will continue to “Raise the Bar” for our students to push them to strive to be their very best.

The Aylen staff is excited about the upcoming school year and are looking forward to working in partnership with our students, families, and community. We are all on this journey together and through this partnership, we can bring what ALL Aylen students deserve, the very best!

GO FALCONS!

Thomas Ostrander

Principal, Aylen Junior High School