Following a rigorous selection process, the Cypress School District is pleased to welcome Mrs. Vanessa DeSantis as the new principal at A.E. Arnold Elementary School!
Mrs. DeSantis is a native of Northern California and began her elementary teaching career in her home school district of Elk Grove Unified. In 2010, she moved to Orange County and the following year began working in the Fountain Valley School District. Mrs. DeSantis has over 10 years of classroom experience and has taught nearly every level except kindergarten and first grade.
In addition to her vast classroom experience, Mrs. DeSantis has previous administrative experience in the Westminster School District, having served both as Principal and Assistant Principal. Her areas of professional expertise include multi-tiered systems of student support, restorative justice, trauma-informed practices, and working with students with special needs. Mrs. DeSantis earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from California State University, Sacramento; a multiple subject teaching credential from San Francisco State University; a Master of Arts in Education Administration and an administrative credential from Concordia University, Irvine; and is presently finishing her Educational Doctorate in P-12 Educational Leadership at California State University, Fullerton.
Mrs. DeSantis stated, “I am very excited to be a part of the Cypress School district family! I believe an effective educational program focuses on the development of the whole child. I look forward to working with the amazing staff at Arnold to provide a rich learning environment that encourages students to dream big and supports them in achieving their highest potential.”
“Mrs. DeSantis is an outstanding educational leader who is committed to fulfilling the district’s mission to inspire and empower every student, every moment, for every opportunity. She is a high-energy, dynamic leader, and we are thrilled to have her as the new principal at Arnold,” said Cypress School District Superintendent Anne Silavs.
Mrs. DeSantis lives locally in neighboring Los Alamitos with her husband Jeff and her three-month-old daughter Olivia-Rose. She looks forward to meeting students, working with parents, and partnering with the community when school begins on August 8, 2019.
Vanessa DeSantis began her elementary teaching career in her home school district of Elk Grove Unified.