Dear Crystal Springs Community,
It is an absolute privilege to introduce myself as your new principal, and I could not be more excited to join this school family.
Strong relationships are at the core of everything I do as a leader — whether talking with students
about their learning, collaborating with teachers on their craft, or partnering with families around their hopes for their children. Trust is what makes a school thrive and building it with you is my first priority.
My path in education spans more than twenty-five years across a wide range of roles — classroom teacher in both private and public schools (General Ed, Special Ed/Deaf-Ed, and ELD), professional development designer and presenter, college adjunct professor, para-educator, Ready Start teacher, and school secretary. I have proudly called Northshore School District home since 2004, most recently as principal of Westhill Elementary for twelve years. And perhaps most importantly — I am an NSD parent of three, which means this work is personal.
My leadership is guided by three core beliefs:
- Community-Centered: Schools thrive when they are a vibrant, integral part of the community they serve.
- Collaborative: Partnerships between staff, students, and families — built on mutual trust — are the foundation of student success.
- High Expectations: Every student deserves equitable, excellent instruction that empowers them to reach their highest potential.
Our goal at Crystal Springs is to nurture confident, lifelong learners who grow into positive forces in the world. I am honored to do this work alongside you and look forward to greeting your children at the door every morning.
Here's to many fantastic school years ahead!
Dana
