Kirstin Coronado, Sanger High School’s first female principal was born and raised in Sanger. She’s not just an educator, but a proud alumni of the very school she now leads.
After graduating from Sanger High in 1990, she embarked on a teaching journey that would eventually bring her back home. For 17 years, Coronado taught English at Sanger High, guiding students through everything from traditional English classes to English Language Development (ELD).
“I love being a teacher because of all the great kids I get to work with all the time!” says Coronado
Outside of school, Coronado is also a devoted mother to her three children: Hexton, Hayden, and Kaylin.
Outside of work, Coronado also enjoys life with her pets. “I have two pets. They’re two mini schnauzers whose names are Stella and Hazel!” She continues to balance her roles as a parent and a leader, always striving to be a source of inspiration for the students at Sanger High.
For Coronado, being principal is about more than just holding a title. “I have so much love for Sanger High School because I did go to Sanger High School,” she explains. “A lot of my life trajectory was based on where I was given the ability to get an education and become supported, so it’s really a source of pride for me to have this job,” says Coronado. “Mrs. Coronado has so much passion for Sanger High School and her students, and it shows. She is honestly a role model to follow. I am very lucky to work alongside such a great leader,” says Karla Mendoza, Coronado’s administrative assistant.
Coronado’s dedication has not gone unnoticed, Coronado was recently awarded the 2024 Administrator of the Year for the Sanger Unified School District.
“It’s such an honor because you work and work, and you don’t really expect such rewards,” says Coronado. “When the entire district leadership came and honored me, it was a huge reward, and I was really appreciative of it because I didn’t expect it!” adds Coronado.
Coronado fosters a positive and supportive environment not only for her students and staff by promoting growth, collaboration, and well-being for everyone in the community at Sanger High. “Mrs. Coronado leads by example. She has an amazing rapport with all of the staff that work on this campus. She sets high expectations for all staff” says Brian Kratlian, Deputy Principal.
Coronado’s passion for education runs deep in her family. “My mom’s a teacher, my sister’s a teacher,” says Coronado. “When I was a student at Sanger High, I had really great teachers that were able to impact my life.” This combination of family influence and personal experience shaped her lifelong interest in education. “I’ve been interested in education my whole life! I felt that being a teacher was going to be my path, just to be able to impact other people,” says Coronado.
Though transitioning from the classroom to the principal’s office came with challenges, Coronado hasn’t let them deter her. “You can really appreciate kids and how funny they are. But when you’re managing adults, it can be hard when they’re not realizing what the expectations are,” Coronado elaborated. Despite these obstacles, Coronado stays strong and committed to her school.
While each principal brings their own unique approach to leading a school, Coronado’s doings have been extremely successful for her. “Whatever she has been doing in her years as a principal at Sanger High School has worked for her, and it shows” says Mendoza.
For incoming students, Coronado wants them to know “My heart lies here. My days are spent here with joy.” As principal at Sanger High, she’s proud of her students and their accomplishments, constantly looking for ways to provide them with new opportunities. “As a principal, you’re always thinking, ‘How can I provide for this and that?’ says Coronado
Kirstin Coronado’s story is one of dedication, passion, and a deep love for her community. Each of these qualities defined her not only as a great educator, but as a role model for students and staff alike.
