Andrea Rodriguez, Ed.D-Glenwood Elementary School
First, we would like to introduce Andrea Rodriguez, Ed.D, who will be the principal of Glenwood Elementary School. Andrea is a familiar face because she has been the visual arts enrichment teacher for Glenwood this past school year.
Andrea Rodriguez started her educational career in 2006 as a secondary art teacher and taught with the Natomas Unified School District until 2016. During that time she led multiple sites in the area of visual arts, increased literacy within the arts, created original courses that were accepted through UC Doorways including: Cultural Arts, and a course on Street Art. She also led professional development for the VAPA departments throughout the district to increase alignment with Common Core standards. In 2012 she was recruited to create curriculum for the first dependent charter in the district and backwards mapped outcomes for the school for grades 7-12.
In 2016 she completed her Master's in Applied Leadership and administrative credential and took on the position of Director of Pathways for the dependent charter until 2022. During this time she increased community involvement, created original cultural events on campus and brought community members to the school site to increase student engagement. As a site administrator she oversaw and evaluated multiple subjects working to increase not only test scores, but student engagement, and pathway tools in all content areas.
“I enjoy being able to get to know every student and staff member on my campus, build positive relationships with them while working to increase creativity campus wide. I love to work with students to empower their points of view, perspective and skills as evolving members of our community,” said Andrea.
In 2022, Andrea graduated from UC Davis from the CANDEL Educational Doctorate program with her dissertation examining uplifting Historically Marginalized Student voices through culturally sustaining pedagogical practices. Looking to spend more time with her two sons, she accepted an arts teaching position in the Robla District, joining the Glenwood family. At her new site she created a cultural curriculum for grades K-6, and assisted with creating on site events for the community.
“Cultural celebrations are my favorite part of the Robla community,” said Andrea. “I hope to carry on that tradition to our school site and celebrate the diversity that makes our campus unique through community events, parent involvement and curriculum that uplifts the voices of the students that walk through our halls on a daily basis.”
Michelle Crisp-Taylor Street Elementary School
Next, we would like to introduce Michelle Crisp, who will be the principal of Taylor Street Elementary School. Michelle is also a familiar face because she has served as co-interim principal over the past few months at Taylor Street.
Michelle earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular & Environmental Biology from University of California, Berkeley, and her Masters in Education/Teaching Credential from the University of California, Davis. She is currently a Doctoral Candidate with the University of California, Davis School of Education, with an anticipated completion in 2025.
“I really enjoy the relationships I have established with all stakeholders. It's a great feeling to be able to work alongside like minded individuals that are student centered. I also enjoy seeing smiling students faces!” said Michelle.
Prior to serving as interim principal, Michelle has 10 years of teaching experience as a classroom teacher, UC Davis Master Teacher, Teacher Curriculum Institute lead teacher, PLC lead teacher, Freedom School Site Coordinator, Bargaining team member, Professional Learning Support Teacher, and Coordinator of School Climate.
“I love the sense of family that we have here in Robla!” said Michelle.
Congratulations to Andrea and Michelle!