NEW PRINCIPALS INTRODUCED FOR GROSSMONT DISTRICT

Two new principals are leading high schools in the Grossmont Union High School District this school year.

Dr. Christina Wilde will be the principal of Granite Hills High School. She is replacing Mike Fowler, who was named the district’s new assistant superintendent of educational services.

Wilde began her career with the district in 2010 as a science teacher at Grossmont High School after teaching biology in Yuma, Ariz., and at Ramona High School. She then served in administrative positions in the Valley Center-pauma Unified and Escondido Union High School districts before returning to Grossmont High as an assistant principal in 2019.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from Chapman University, and a Master of Science degree in biology from California State University San Marcos. She also earned her Administrative Services Credential there. Wilde also holds a doctorate in educational leadership from UC San Diego and Cal State San Marcos.

April Baker will be the principal of West Hills High

School, succeeding Robin Ballarin, who accepted a leadership position as a director of the district’s human resources department.

Baker began her career with the Grossmont district teaching English at Mt. Miguel High School. She then served as a lead teacher at Grossmont Middle College High School before becoming a district digital learning coach. In that position, she assisted teachers in integrating technology into their curriculums — a crucial contributor to the success of the district’s Futureforward initiative. She then joined the West Hills leadership team as an assistant principal for five years. Baker was then asked to join the El Capitan High School administration for the 2021-22 school year before accepting the principal position at West Hills.

Baker holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in single subject English, a California Clear Single Subject teaching credential, a Master of Arts degree in English and an administrative credential, all from National University. She completed coursework for her Administrative Clear Credential at San Diego State University.

laura.groch@sduniontribune.com