Dear Southmoor Community,

I am greatly honored for the opportunity to lead and serve as the principal of Southmoor Elementary School with such persevering students, a dedicated staff, and a supportive school community. For the years that I have been a part of the school community, I have witnessed how each member of our community has come together to show genuine care and support to one another which makes Southmoor truly a special place for our students, families and staff.  

I come to you with more than 25 years of experience in which I have served in a variety of roles as an educator and a leader in Early Childhood through highschool.  These experiences solidified my value of community and the importance of culture, excellence, and equity in my leadership. I continue to advocate for all children to have access to high-quality education and opportunities to pursue their passions. 

I believe that our collective mission in education is to promote the success of each and every student. As we come together, we will continue to build a strong partnership by learning and growing with one another, engaging to unite our efforts, and most importantly, making student-centered decisions where every student achieves their full potential. Through our hard work in fostering an equity-centered school culture, employing high levels of care and support, and providing meaningful learning experiences for our students, we will be able to obtain our school vision.

As the principal, I would like to ground us all with the these beliefs:

• We believe in supporting ALL students.  Providing responsive and equitable support is critical in meeting the needs of each and every student.  Our intentionality in employing these supports are data-driven and student-centered.  

• We believe in establishing a safe, secure, consistent and predictable learning environment and conditions where students can thrive knowing what to expect everyday. 

• We believe in strong home and school partnerships where together, we build strong relationships as one community, provide effective communication, and engage in collaborative problem-solving.   

It is important for every student to have the chance to fulfill their full potential because I have seen and personally experienced systems where some students have succeeded but not all. Together, we will:

• Build on the school’s successes through high-quality instruction and positive student culture, 

• Support the community’s desire to nurture a culture that is infused with joy and rigor, and

• Lead and collaborate in making the school’s mission and vision come to full fruition

I believe that the power of the relationships between families and the school is vital to the success of our students. I encourage you to become involved in every way possible. I look forward to connecting with you.

In service of the most important person in the world – YOUR CHILD,

Jonell Pineda
Principal