Dear Hawking Parents and Guardians,

 

My name is Cuauhtli Bernal and I am honored to serve as the new Principal at Hawking 1. I have been a teacher for fourteen years and have been at Hawking since 2014. I have known my entire life that I wanted to be a teacher, and although I did not plan back then to become a principal, I now see how all of the experiences I have had, both professionally and personally, have prepared me to serve in this capacity. 

 

I was born and raised in San Diego and grew up in the Logan Heights neighborhood. My parents are both immigrants from Mexico who came to this country looking for a better life. They met while they were attending night classes to learn English and connected because of their desire to better themselves. They have always pushed my sisters and I to do well in school because although they did not know all of the ins and outs of going to college, they believed that education was the foundation to success. 

 

It is my belief that we have to get to know our students beyond their reading and math levels. If students can see that we care about them, truly care about them on a personal level, they will want to be successful in their classroom. It is so important to find the time to connect not only with students, but with their families as well. Building relationships with our students and with our families is an important foundation for student success. Family engagement in schools contributes to student achievement and decreased disciplinary issues.

 

It is my expectation that teachers work collaboratively in order to fulfill the project based STEAM approach that is in our charter. There are so many great resources within our staff, teachers who have experience in backwards planning, and curriculum integration that is aligned with our mission and vision. It is my goal to work with all Hawking 1 stakeholders in order to continue with the vision that our founding families and staff established for us.

 

As a school leader, it is my commitment to lead by example. I will always strive to connect with students and to encourage them to be their personal best. It is our responsibility not only to prepare students  academically but also socially and emotionally. Creating a school culture that fosters creativity, enginuity, acceptance, and mutual respect, is essential for the long term success of the students that we serve. 

 

A successful student at our school thinks outside the box and is not afraid to take risks. They embrace their mistakes and work with their peers to problem solve, they are able to self evaluate, they have a clear view of where they are in their learning and where they are headed.

 

If you are new to Hawking, I want to welcome you to our amazing community! If you have been around for a while, I want to thank you for your commitment to our school. Hawking is an exciting place to be, and together we can continue to make a difference in the educational experience of all of our students!

 

Respectfully,

Cuauhtli Bernal

Hawking 1 Principal