Communications Department
Sharon RafferDirector of Communications
sraffer@powayusd.com
858 748-0010 ext. 2631
Press Release Date: June 9, 2010
Poway Unified Announces Sunset Hills and Willow Grove Principals
The Poway Unified School District is pleased to announce the selection of Tina Ziegler as principal at Sunset Hills Elementary School and Kimberlie Rens as principal at Willow Grove Elementary School beginning July 1, 2010, pending ratification by the PUSD Board of Education on June 21, 2010.
Sunset Hills Elementary School Principal: Tina Ziegler
Tina Ziegler has been chosen as principal of Sunset Hills Elementary School. She is presently assistant principal at Westview High School, a position she has held since 2007. Previous to that, Mrs. Ziegler worked as a Poway Unified Special Education Program Specialist for eight years, and as a teacher at Turtleback, Los Penasquitos, and Valley Elementary Schools, and Meadowbrook Middle School. Mrs. Ziegler began her educational career as a fourth grade, bilingual teacher in the Santa Ana Unified School District where she also worked as a resource specialist. She came to Poway in 1992.
Mrs. Ziegler said, “My work with parents, teachers, counselors, and the entire school community emphasizes the importance of building a school community that provides a safe, caring environment where learning flourishes. I look forward to working with the school community to create this very special environment at Sunset Hills.”
Mrs. Ziegler’s experience across K-12 grade levels provides her unique insight into the learning process and a working knowledge of transitions, articulation and communication. Her educational background includes a bachelor of arts degree in Developmental Psychology from University of California, Santa Barbara, and a master of arts degree in Education/Curriculum and Instruction from University of Phoenix.
The position of principal at Sunset Hills Elementary School became open because of the July 1st retirement of Mrs. Kathy Brown.
Willow Grove Elementary School Principal: Kimberlie Rens
Kimberlie Rens has been selected as principal of Willow Grove Elementary School. Ms. Rens has been with the Poway Unified School District since 1989. She has served as principal at Turtleback Elementary School and at Park Village Elementary School.
Ms. Rens is presently on loan to the San Diego County Office of Education where she works as District and School improvement Director. Ms. Rens came to Poway in 1989 and taught third and fifth grades at Garden Road Elementary School. In 1996 she became a Teacher on Special Assignment at Los Penasquitos Elementary School. Ms. Rens worked as an assistant principal at Westwood Elementary School from 1997-1999, followed by principalships at Turtleback and Park Village elementary schools.
“I’m passionate about powerful teaching and learning in every classroom, for every student, every day,” said Ms. Rens. She is looking forward to team building with the staff and community with a laser-like focus on goals and student success.
Ms. Rens earned her bachelor of science degree in General Studies from University of San Diego and her master of science degree in Educational Leadership from University of Southern California.
The position of principal became open at Willow Grove with the selection of Cindy DeClercq as PUSD Executive Director, Learning Support Services.