Meet Spruce Elementary's New Assistant Principal

As South City parents and students dive into the 2012-2013 school year, Patch is publishing a series of interviews with the district's new hires.

See Patch's interviews with El Camino High's new principal, , a new counselor at SSF High, a new physical education teacher, , social science teacher , El Camino High's assistant principal, , Los Cerritos principal and Spruce Elementary's new principal, .

Here Patch learns more about Spruce Elementary School's new assistant principal, Shana Karashima.

Where are you from?

I have lived in South San Francisco for two years, and I love it here. I grew up in San Mateo and went to Hillsdale High School. I went to college in San Diego and went to Humboldt County for my Master’s Degree in psychology.

What’s your professional background?

For the past four years, I worked in the Jefferson Union High School District. I was Vice Principal of Guidance at Terra Nova High School [in Pacifica]. But I started in Vallejo City Unified School District. I started as a school psychologist, and then I decided to go into administration. It made more sense for making comprehensive program change. I really wanted to help y community, and that was the best way I knew how.

What excites you about working in South City?

I always had my eye on South San Francisco as a place to start our lives. I got married this summer. I actually got this job on my honey moon, so that was a nice surprise.

We like the makeup of the whole neighborhood. A large part of the student population has Spanish-speaking families, so I’m going to start relearning my Spanish. That’s fun to be a learner again.

What are the best and most challenging parts of the job?

One of the best parts is helping mold our students into citizens of our community. It’s amazing that I get to do that. Now I get to see kids at such a young stage. Every little thing builds upon itself. The hardest part is when the kids move on. I really do like dealing with the hard things on campus and helping kids get through it. It’s a double-edged sword. I’m happy for them to get to the next level, but I’m always sad to see them go.

Also, my teachers are amazing. It’s an eclectic group but everybody is focused on the same thing, and that’s student learning.

Are there any events or programs you think parents or readers should know about?

The character recognition program.  Each month the kids will learn a about a characteristic or trait. The first we’re doing is cooperation. Sometimes we forget it’s not always explained out, so they will learn about what it really means and what it looks like. Every month there will be character recognition awards. Parents will see the awards posted on the website. Kids wil get awarded for representing those traits. If parents can reinforce it at home, that’s great.

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