Release: June 12, 2008

Poway Unified School District Announces Principals for Elementary Schools

The Poway Unified School District is proud to announce the selection of Sal Embry as principal of Painted Rock Elementary School, Deanne McLaughlin as principal of Los Penasquitos Elementary School, Desiree Manuel, as principal of Sundance Elementary School, Terry Worthington, as principal of Deer Canyon Elementary School, and Dawn Zwibel as principal of Chaparral Elementary School pending Board approval on June 18, 2008.

Sal Embry
Painted Rock Elementary School Principal

Mr. Embry is currently principal of Poway Unified's Sundance Elementary School, a position he has held since 2003. Previous to that, he was principal of Midland Elementary School for five years. Mr. Embry came to Poway in 1988 and taught second, fourth, and fifth grades at Sunset Hills Elementary School. In 1995, he taught sixth and seventh grade basic education, along with the GATE cluster, at Black Mountain Middle School, and then became a Teacher on Special Assignment supervising the AVID program, student discipline, and ASB.

As principal of Sundance, Mr. Embry focused on collaborating with the school community to lead all students toward a path of college readiness. He and his staff developed a concept called Wildcat College and started an elementary AVID program called Pathways to Success. Under Mr. Embry's leadership, students demonstrated continuous academic growth with Sundance receiving a 10/10 state and similar school ranking for two consecutive years. Working with the Sundance Foundation and PTA, Mr. Embry also established many effective programs such as Dad's Club, Future Scientists and Engineers of America, and the Twin Trails Education Foundation. At Midland Elementary School, Mr. Embry developed the first PEPP pre-K program, and applied for and received the California Distinguished School award.

Mr. Embry’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree from Point Loma Nazarene University and a Master of Arts degree from National University.

Deanne McLaughlin
Los Penasquitos Elementary School Principal

Mrs. McLaughlin has been an elementary school principal for six years at Franklin Elementary School in the Bloomfield Public Schools in Bloomfield, New Jersey. Previous to that, she served as an elementary teacher in second and fourth grades for 13 years in the Wayne Public Schools, and as a Pre-K/Kindergarten teacher for Children’s Learning Center.

As principal, Mrs. McLaughlin created a culture of continuous improvement and clearly communicated high expectations for staff and students. She worked with the staff on the analysis of data toward effective instructional decision-making, monitored the impact of programs on student learning, and implemented educational initiatives responsible for increased test scores. She fostered an environment of intellectual and professional dialogue. As an elementary school teacher, Mrs. McLaughlin inspired learning. She also served as the on-site technology resource person responsible for conducting workshops for staff and coordinated and instructed a summer computer program.

Mrs. McLaughlin’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University in economics/finance and a Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration from Caldwell College, Caldwell, New Jersey.

Desiree Manuel
Sundance Elementary School Principal

Ms. Manuel comes to Poway Unified from the San Dieguito School District, where she presently holds the position of assistant principal at Carmel Valley Middle School. Previous to that, she was an itinerant assistant principal in San Dieguito middle schools (2003-2004) and was assistant principal at Earl Warren Middle School from 2000-2003.

Ms. Manuel served as vice principal of Lafayette Elementary School from 1997-2000 in the San Diego Unified School District. Previous to that, she was the math and science district resource teacher and middle school science teacher for English Language Learners and GATE students. In addition, she was an elementary school teacher in grades three and four for five years.

Ms. Manuel has been a district committee standards writer, National Institute of Health research assistant and grant writer, San Diego Science Fair coordinator, and has also coordinated professional development opportunities for math and science training in the San Diego Unified School District. As assistant principal in San Dieguito, she organized transition processes for elementary students entering middle school, oversaw English Language and special education programs and support, spearheaded student achievement projects, and analyzed assessment data.

Ms. Manuel’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree from State University of New York at Binghamton in analytical geography and a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Instruction for Math and Science from San Diego State University.

Terry Worthington
Deer Canyon Elementary School Principal

Mrs. Worthington presently serves as principal of Maryland Avenue Elementary School in the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District, a position she has held since 2004. From 2001-2004, Mrs. (Farwell) Worthington worked in Poway Unified as an assistant principal at Black Mountain Middle School. Previous to that, she worked as an assistant principal in Carlisle Public Schools in Massachusetts, and served as Administrator of Special Education in Littleton Public Schools in Massachusetts.

At Black Mountain Middle School, Mrs. Worthington collaborated with the PTA to increase community support and involvement, used MAPs testing for assessment for learning, and supervised special education programs and practices. As an elementary principal, she oversees the pre-kindergarten through 5th grade Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Program, a preschool program, and the kindergarten through 5th grade general education program. Under her leadership, the school climate is positive and welcoming, and students learn in an atmosphere that encourages high quality student learning.

Mrs. Worthington’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from University of Vermont and a Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership from University of San Diego.

Dawn Zwibel
Chaparral Elementary School Principal

Ms. Zwibel is presently an assistant principal at Mount Miguel High School in the Grossmont Union School District, where she has worked for three years. Previous to that, she served as Dean at Steele Canyon High School and a teacher at Chaparral Continuation High School in the Grossmont Union School District.

Ms. Zwibel also worked as a kindergarten and resource teacher at La Presa Elementary School in La Mesa-Spring Valley School District for four years.

Her experience as a classroom teacher includes teaching a bilingual kindergarten class and starting a grant-funded intervention program. Ms. Zwibel’s experience across K-12 grade levels provides her unique insight into the learning process and a working knowledge of transitions and vertical articulation.

Ms. Zwibel’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Diversified Liberal Arts/Spanish from University of San Diego and a Master of Science degree in Curriculum Design and Instructional Leadership from National University.