It’s my pleasure to introduce myself as the Starr King TK-8 Principal for the 2022-2023 school year. I’m extremely excited about joining a wonderful community and school. I have been employed by the San Juan Unified School District for over twenty-three years. My experience ranges from being a classroom teacher in both elementary and middle school, to being the previous principal at Carmichael Elementary. As a teacher leader and a principal, I have built and strengthened my knowledge around systems and structures that support student growth. But it is my passion for teaching, my belief that all students can learn, and my ability to build and foster positive relationships, that allows me to create an optimal environment where students flourish. I believe these core ideas and skills will serve me well as a principal.

Parents, teachers, support staff, and administration all have an important role to encourage our children to become active learners and critical thinkers. We must work together to support the learning necessary to help our students be college and career ready. I am committed to creating an environment that values, educates, and inspires all students through comprehensive personalized instruction, collaboration, and positive character development. I believe in using research-based instructional practices and analyzing academic data to determine each student’s current strengths, skill levels, and next targets for continuous growth.

I am honored to be given the opportunity serve Starr King students, staff, and community. It truly is a privilege to be part of a family where parents, staff, and students care for each other and work together to build strong, positive relationships that support the academic and social growth of every one of our learners. I look forward to meeting each and every one of you over the course of the year. Please consider this letter as my first invitation to come find me and say “Hello.”

In partnership,

Gelika Harrison

Principal, Starr King TK-8