La Cañada Elementary gets new principal

Veteran Washington state elementary school administrator Christine Castillo has been chosen as principal of La Cañada Elementary School, La Cañada Unified School District officials announced Thursday.

Castillo is a former principal at Park Orchard Elementary School in Kent, Wash., outside of Seattle. She served as vice-principal at Park Orchard before becoming principal in 2008, according to the Kent Reporter.

Prior to that she served an internship in the Los Angeles Unified School District, earned her bachelor’s degree at Pomona College and her master’s in teaching at the University of Washington.

La Cañada Unified Supt. Wendy Sinnete said in a statement that Castillo was the best choice among 60 candidates for the post.

“Ms. Castillo exceeds the high expectations I held as we searched for the new principal for La Cañada Elementary. She is professional, smart, caring, and dedicated to providing students with the best possible learning experiences. I know her leadership style will inspire the teachers, staff and parents as they work together to ensure student success at La Cañada Elementary.”

Castillo will start Aug. 1.

-- Bill Kisliuk, Times Community News

Twitter: @bkisliuk