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  • Catherine Larkin, Principal

    I am excited to begin the 2023-2024 school year and have the opportunity to serve as Principal at La Tercera Elementary School. My focus will be to listen and learn, build relationships, and bring all community partners together. With your support and partnership, along with hard work and dedication of our staff, we will continue the tradition of excellence here at La Tercera. 

    With over sixteen years in education, I have served as a teacher, literacy coach and principal. Most recently, I served as the Curriculum Specialist for the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District where I coached and worked with principals and teachers, piloted and implemented TK-12 curriculum pilot and adoption, and oversaw our district's English Language Arts and English Language Development Programs.  

    My educational background emphasizes my commitment to being a lifelong learner.  After graduating high school, I attended and graduated from Sonoma State University where I received a bachelors in American MultiCultural Studies, and a minor in Human Development. Following, I then decided to pursue my multiple subject teaching credential. I entered the educational workforce as a teacher, where I taught in Title I schools. After participating in various educational leadership experiences, I then decided to attend San Francisco State University, where I completed my masters of education in language and literacy and received my reading specialist credential. Most recently, I earned my second masters degree in educational leadership along with my administrative credential.

    As I look back on my school experiences, I can recall the impact my teachers had on me. I navigated numerous challenges throughout school, and I thank my academic success to my amazing teachers and my parents who advocated for me. It is extremely important to me that all students have an educational experience that supports them regardless of their background, brain neurotype, or socioeconomic status. Positive school culture and connection are at the heart of student learning.

    I am honored to serve the La Tercera community. I am confident that by working together, we can meet the needs of the community while promoting academic excellence and the joy of learning.