Dear Longfellow families,
My name is Dr. Lisa Hertzog, and it is my great pleasure to introduce myself as the newly appointed principal of Longfellow Spanish Immersion Magnet School. I am honored that I was chosen to lead such an amazing school and school community. I was drawn by the commitment to offer an enriched curriculum that supports the students in becoming bilingual and biliterate in Spanish and English as well as the beautiful diversity of the community.
I come to you with 26 years of experience as an educator in urban, multilingual settings. I grew up in Southern California, and after graduating from UCLA, I began my career as a Spanish bilingual and later English Immersion elementary teacher in Pasadena. During that time, I earned my Masters in Education at Claremont Graduate University as well as my National Board Teaching Certification. Wanting to deepen my expertise and advocacy for equitable schools, I earned my Doctor of Education in Curriculum & Teaching at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City. Later I also earned a Masters in Educational Leadership at the College of Saint Rose. During my time in NYC, I worked in a range of roles that included returning to the classroom as a first grade Spanish dual language teacher in Washington Heights to my most recent work as Executive Director of Teacher Development, leading major parts of teacher development for NYC public schools including teacher evaluation, new teacher mentoring, and teacher leadership.
While I have enjoyed my time in NYC, the pandemic helped me gain clarity in several ways. First, I realized how much I missed working directly with students and teachers. During the first year and a half of the pandemic, I volunteered to serve as an in-person school leader, and I loved it; my family and friends commented on how much it filled me up to be with students again. Children and young people’s brilliance, curiosity, and humor continually inspire and fill me with joy. Second, I realized how much I miss being close to my family. I am looking forward to spending more time with my nieces and nephews, especially my youngest niece and nephew here in San Diego (we’re already planning sleepovers and weekend beach trips).
In closing, please know that my door is always open to you. I am passionately committed to making schools places of deep learning, curiosity, and joy where all students are fully seen and known, and I believe that is only possible when we co-imagine and co-create that vision together. I look forward to building relationships with the students and community here at Longfellow. I cannot wait to meet you all!
With gratitude,
Dr. Lisa Hertzog
Principal