It is with great pleasure that I write this letter to you as the newly appointed principal of Jerabek Elementary School. I am honored and humbled to have this opportunity to partner with such an extraordinary school community. Jerabek has a long-standing reputation of excellence for student-centered teaching and learning, innovative programs, positive school culture and outstanding community involvement...staff, parents, and students! I cannot wait to start the 2023-24 school year, meet all our families, and get to know each Jerabek student.
Originally from New Jersey, I moved to San Diego and obtained a degree in psychology at San Diego State University. While serving as a counselor for youth in transition throughout San Diego, I decided to transition to education. I used my counseling background, honed my teaching craft, and developed leadership capacity to make an impact in the lives of children. Throughout my educational journey in SDUSD, I have worked as a teacher, supervising teacher, mentor teacher, peer coach, assistant principal, principal, and mentor principal.
Through these varied experiences, I learned that the best method to increase and support high student achievement and socio-emotional wellness is to foster the development of a strong school community where the administration, staff, and parents collaborate to best meet the needs of their students. Another key ingredient that has shaped my leadership is being an involved parent. My family includes my amazing wife Stephanie, my daughter Kalli, and son Marcus. Stephanie is a third-grade teacher at Curie Elementary in University City, Kalli is going into her junior year at the University of Portland, and Marcus will begin his studies at Oregon State University this fall. Both Kalli and Marcus are proud graduates of Scripps Ranch High School and are extremely grateful for the unbelievable support of the Scripps Ranch Community.
Over the last 11 years, I have served the Point Loma community as principal of Correia Middle School. It has been a complete pleasure partnering with fellow administrators and the community to create a vertically aligned PreK-12 program where all stakeholders focus on the success of all students the day after they graduate from high school. It was our collective work this year focusing on school belonging and academic identity where I realized that it is the position of elementary principal where I have been most fulfilled in my life’s work. It is the elementary environment that ignites the flame for learning in each child’s life and instills faith in their abilities to thrive in any setting. I believe that every child can excel and that the partnership between home and school builds confidence in students to use their powers to shape their future and the future of our community...and our nation.
As a partner with staff and parents, I will work hard to continue the legacy of success established at the Jerabek Elementary School by building strong relationships with students, parents, staff, and community partners. Together we will continue to focus on the use of data to inform instruction and accelerate learning for all; utilize Leader in Me to promote advocacy through leadership, promote a safe, equitable, and inclusive school culture, and enhance peer relationships; and create diverse and innovative educational programs that support academic, social, and emotional growth.
I am committed to always exploring new ways to meet the needs of all students and to communicate with parents and community members more effectively. We will be meeting with parents, students, and as a staff throughout the year to identify specific goals in the areas of student achievement, school climate, and parent communication...basically ideas to help make this year the best it can be!