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Los Angeles educator named interim Sassarini principal

Kristin Gornick has been named interim principal at Sassarini Elementary School for the remainder of the 2012-13 school year.

The current principal, Leticia Bhatia, is on maternity leave. 

Gornick was scheduled to begin her assignment on campus by mid-October. She currently lives in the Los Angeles area and is making arrangements to move to the Sonoma area. She was selected from a group of well-qualified candidates, and Sassarini teachers, classified staff, and parents were involved in the initial interview process and the superintendent held the final interview.

Gornick joined the Sassarini staff on campus earlier this month for several days, meeting staff and students, and familiarizing herself with the Sassarini community and the Sonoma Valley Unified School District.

Gornick graduated from Occidental College in Los Angeles and earned her master’s degree from Harvard Graduate School of Education.

She began her career as an English teacher and then assumed various roles in school leadership as an assistant principal and principal at the middle school level in school communities very similar to Sassarini. Most recently, she served as principal of Jefferson Middle School in San Gabriel, and she spent eight years as assistant principal in the Norwalk-La Miranda Unified School District.

Harry Akre, long-time Sassarini educator, and Laura Monterosso, current Sassarini educator, are leading Sassarini until Gornick’s arrival, and will assist with the transition.

School Superintendent Louann Carlomagno said, “We are thrilled to have a professional of Kris’ caliber join our education team in the Valley. She will be an excellent addition to the team of learning professionals at Sassarini School.”