Photo Credit: Steve Simpson
Dear LJES Families,
I'm absolutely thrilled to serve this amazing community!
Ever since I was in second grade, I wanted to be a teacher. I loved my teacher, Mrs. Hackel; she offered us hugs all day long, and I just loved wrapping my arms around her and receiving her warm squeezes in return. She made me feel safe and loved, and I knew that I wanted to provide my own students with the same experience someday. So, after graduating from high school in the Bay Area, I flew across the country to attend Boston University, where I majored in Elementary Education. I moved to San Diego after graduating from college, and I have been serving the San Diego Unified School District for 18 years.
I started my teaching career in 2001 at John Muir School, where I taught fourth grade. Subsequently, I taught fifth grade at Webster and Boone Elementary Schools, and I came to La Jolla Elementary in 2011 to teach fifth grade. During my time at LJES, I loved the culture of collaboration among the stellar teaching staff, the involvement and unwavering support from the families, the innovative and continually evolving curriculum, the commitment to meeting the perse needs of all children, and all of the wonderful staff members who kept the school beautiful and running smoothly. I had no plans on leaving; however, I was asked to take on a new position. Although I was sad to leave, I believe it's important to accept opportunities that enable us to learn and grow, as well as capitalize on our strengths. After leaving LJES in 2015, I was an In School Resource Teacher at Marshall Elementary, where I had the opportunity to support the community in every capacity, ranging from facilitating daily operational needs to serving as an instructional leader.
All of my previous positions and experiences, coupled with my educational background (B.S. in Elementary Education, M.A. in Reading/Language Arts, Administrative Credential, and Ed.D. in Teaching and Learning), have provided me with the tools, resources, and knowledge to effectively lead La Jolla Elementary. I aspire to support La Jolla Elementary's tradition of providing students with rich educational opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom. I look forward to collaborating with teachers and families to ensure that La Jolla Elementary continues to be an amazing place for our children.
Please stop by and say hello or introduce yourself when you see me on campus or out at afternoon pickup.
Warmly,
Stephanie Hasselbrink, Ed.D.
Principal
[email protected]