Stephanie Siddens could not find words to express her feelings
upon learning that she had been chosen to be the new principal at
Aromas School, one of three schools in the Aromas-San Juan School
District.
Hollister – Stephanie Siddens could not find words to express her feelings upon learning that she had been chosen to be the new principal at Aromas School, one of three schools in the Aromas-San Juan School District.
“I’m more excited than I can say,” Siddens said. “In particular I can’t wait to talk to the people and the parents.”
The district’s board of trustees voted 4-0 yesterday to hire Siddens. Board President Sylvia Rios Metcalf was just as excited about the decision as Siddens.
“I’m really happy,” Metcalf said. “She is truly committed to this school.”
She has been teaching for the last 19 years, but three years ago, while working as the supervisor of teacher education at University of California at Santa Cruz, she decided she had something more to offer. Siddens says she always knew she was good at working with students, but after getting her masters degree in teacher leadership at San Jose State, she realized she was good at working with adults, too.
“I realized I had the skills to make a difference on another level,” Siddens said.
She spent many of her years teaching second and third graders at Soquel School District in Santa Cruz County. Her husband, also a teacher, works in the district and their teenage daughter attends school in Soquel.
“I enjoy most the relationships with the students and the parents,” Siddens said.
Even though she will be moving out of the classroom, Siddens believes she will still be able to develop and maintain positive relationships with her students. That is one things she is looking forward to most at Aromas School.
“I’m completely dedicated to the school,” Siddens said. “For me, this is not a job, it’s my life.”
Siddens will work next year to develop a community atmosphere at the school and make sure the more than 450 students under her charge receive the best possible education.
“My vision is for the school to be the hub of the community,” Siddens said.
Although she will officially start on Monday, she met with board members yesterday for lunch and some discussion about her new job.
Siddens replaces Escilia Zavala, who resigned in June to work in the private sector.
