Persoon to take over as middle school principal

Jamie Persoon will take over as the principal of Carpinteria Middle School (CMS) in July of this year, Carpinteria Unified School District (CUSD) Superintendent Diana Rigby announced last week. The district is currently searching for a replacement for Persoon at Canalino Elementary and Carpinteria Family School (CFS). 

“Dr. Persoon is well known in our community as a highly effective school leader and she demonstrates the skills and professional qualities that match the needs at CMS,” Rigby told CVN. 

Persoon, a lifelong Carpinterian, has been at Canalino Elementary School and CFS for 25 years, the past 11 spent serving as principal. She began her time at Canalino and CFS in 1999 as a first-grade teacher. Before Canalino and CFS, Persoon said she spent three years at Aliso Elementary School; she began teaching in the same classroom that she spent her own first grade in, and her first grade teacher – Janet Johnson – assisted Persoon during that first year.

Persoon would go on to merge the Spanish and English-speaking students, along with her colleague Caryn Parker, to create a multilingual classroom of 40 students. She would teach first, second, fourth and fifth grades before becoming principal. 

She told CVN that leaving her longtime school is bittersweet, though she is excited to be reunited with some of her students at CMS that passed through Canalino. 

“(Canalino and CFS) has a wonderful staff and wonderful families,” she said. 

Lisa O’Shea, the current principal of CMS, resigned from the district in March, which will be effective on June 30. She has been the principal of the middle school for the past six years, and she told CVN that working at CMS has been a highlight of her more than 35 years in public education.

“Through calm, compassionate and consistent leadership, CMS has been transformed to a school where a culture of caring and acceptance is valued and expected,” O’Shea told CVN. “(CMS) and the community of Carpinteria will always hold a special place in my heart, and I am grateful for the time I have been able to spend here!”

Superintendent Rigby also commended O’Shea, and expressed gratitude for her work at CMS.

 “Her focus on students and their wellbeing has resulted in positive changes at CMS – the school culture has become more positive with school-wide celebrations, positive restorative approaches to discipline and implementation of social-emotional curriculum,” Rigby told CVN. “Principal O’Shea has transformed the learning environment in CMS, and we are grateful for her leadership.”

Persoon’s own kids have gone through Carpinteria’s public schools, including CMS. Persoon said she has become familiar with many of the teachers at the middle school. “The benefit of a small town is you know most people,” she told CVN. 

Following her transition to CMS, Persoon said she plans to establish some priorities, including ensuring parents have access to the school, and implementing clear expectations for behavior. A panel will be held soon to confer with teachers and parents, Persoon said. 

Despite the bittersweet departure, Persoon said she knows Canalino and CFS will continue to thrive. “I am confident that the students and staff will continue to thrive, create and innovate to ensure that the students are academically successful, feel included and engaged and have strong relationships,” Persoon said in a message to Canalino and CFS families.