10/09/2026
Lucky to be the principal of this sweet school! 🫶🏼Come see us tonight at our school tour 7PM!
October is National Principals Month! At NSSD, we’re excited to feature our fantastic principals. First up to bat: Sophia Duerst, Principal of Mari-Linn School!
Sophia's start in life was in Georgia until she moved to Silverton when she was four. She graduated from Silverton High School and married her high school sweetheart, Cody. Sophia has a total of 19 years in education. She earned her degree in Education from Oregon State University (go Beavers!). Before deciding to become a principal, Sophia spent years teaching Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 4th grade. She earned her Administrative License from Willamette University. Mari-Linn has been proud to call Sophia their own for the last four years!
She shared, “I’ve always loved school—both as a student and as a teacher—and I truly enjoy continuing my own learning. I chose this path because I love supporting teachers in their own educational journeys and partnering with families to ensure our school always feels like a safe, welcoming place for everyone.”
When she's not at school, you can find Sophia at home on a small farm with Cody, three kids – Claire (14), Ainsley (12), and Easton (10)– 20 Black Angus cows, two cats, and one dog!
Q and A’s with Sophia:
Q: What is a skill that you learned from one of your first jobs that you use as a principal today?
A: One of my first jobs was as a closing manager at American Family Video. I was a sophomore in high school, a two-sport varsity athlete, and cared a lot about my grades, so working until 11:30 p.m. a few nights a week taught me to really prioritize my tasks and time while still giving proper attention to my job.
Q: What was the absolute coolest trend or fashion item that stands out to you from middle school or high school?
A: In my middle school years, Jellys, choker necklaces, Doc Martens, and Jack Purcells were all the craze. dELiA*s was the coolest place to shop, and my millennial heart skipped a beat when Target recently did a partnership with them!
Q: What is one of your goals for your school this year?
A: One of my goals for this year is to continue getting better at the amazing work we are already doing at Mari-Linn! That means consistency and going deeper on the things that really matter, as well as prioritizing reading, math, and attendance across everything we do!
Thank you, Sophia, for your dedication and daily leadership in our school and community!
You can come say hi to Sophia tonight at Mari-Linn’s school tour from 7:00-8:30pm. Learn more about the recent Facility Assessments, the Long-Range Facilities Committee’s work, and the future of Mari-Linn School!
