GABRIEL FAJARDO
Indio,CA
Summary
Collaborative educational leader with more than 20 years of experience as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal across comprehensive and alternative education settings. Proven success in strengthening instruction, developing high-performing teams, improving student outcomes, and leading continuous improvement.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Principal, Alternative Education
Riverside County Office of Education
08.2022 - 06.2026
- Directed educational programs serving expelled, justice-involved, and at-promise youth across multiple Riverside County community school campuses, providing leadership for instruction, student services, safety, compliance, strategic planning, and organizational performance.
- Assisted with systemwide continuous improvement initiatives through accreditation, program evaluation, Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), and the implementation of NWEA MAP Growth, Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and restorative practices to improve student achievement, attendance, behavior, and school climate.
- Expanded college and career readiness by growing Career Technical Education (CTE), dual enrollment, workforce readiness, and work-based learning through strategic partnerships with colleges, employers, and community organizations.
- Improved educational outcomes for English Learners by strengthening designated and integrated language development, data-driven instructional practices, and collaborative professional learning that increased student achievement and English learner reclassification.
- Developed comprehensive wraparound systems of support by coordinating behavioral health, probation, higher education, law enforcement, and community partners to address students' academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and postsecondary success.
- Cultivated a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability by aligning instructional leadership, organizational systems, stakeholder engagement, and evidence-based decision-making to improve outcomes across multiple school communities.
Principal, Shadow Hills High School
Desert Sands Unified School District
08.2017 - 06.2022
- Directed the daily operations of a comprehensive high school serving approximately 1,800 students, providing strategic leadership for instruction, student services, personnel, campus safety, operations, and continuous school improvement.
- Supervised and developed a team of assistant principals while leading a cross-functional leadership team of department chairs, counselors, teacher leaders, and district administrators to advance instructional excellence and organizational effectiveness.
- Increased academic achievement by expanding access to rigorous coursework, dual enrollment, Advanced Placement, Ethnic Studies, English Language Development (ELD), and Career Technical Education (CTE), contributing to increased Latin Honors recognition and college and career readiness.
- Championed instructional excellence through professional learning focused on teacher clarity, Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), and evidence-based instructional practices that improved teaching and learning.
- Strengthened school culture through Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), restorative practices, and proactive student support systems that promoted belonging, accountability, and student engagement.
- Elevated school identity and stakeholder engagement by leading strategic communications, community partnerships, and branding initiatives that strengthened school pride and expanded educational opportunities.
Assistant Principal, Shadow Hills & Indio High HS
Desert Sands Unified School District
08.2013 - 06.2017
- Directed student services operations, including discipline, campus supervision, emergency response, school safety, attendance, Section 504, Student Study Team (SST), and compliance, ensuring safe, efficient, and student-centered school operations.
- Led multidisciplinary intervention teams utilizing Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and data analysis to improve attendance, behavior, academic performance, and student success.
- Conducted instructional observations and coaching while facilitating professional learning that strengthened instructional practice, Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), and teacher effectiveness.
- Collaborated with counselors, department chairs, and district leadership to develop strategic master schedules that expanded access to Advanced Placement, AP Capstone, Career Technical Education (CTE), graduation pathways, intervention, and college-preparatory opportunities.
- Partnered with Career Technical Education leadership to expand academic pathways through program development, strategic scheduling, and enrollment initiatives that increased student participation and college and career readiness.
- Supported schoolwide improvement through WASC accreditation, restorative practices, PBIS implementation, strategic planning, and meaningful engagement with English Learner families and community stakeholders.
Principal, Toro Canyon Middle School
Coachella Valley Unified School District
07.2010 - 06.2013
- Increased literacy and mathematics achievement for English Learners and students with disabilities by leading data-driven instructional improvement, targeted interventions, and collaborative professional learning.
- Designed inclusive master scheduling structures that created interdisciplinary learning cohorts and expanded instructional support for English Learners and students with disabilities.
- Led schoolwide implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), a 1:1 iPad initiative, and an advisory program that strengthened school climate, student engagement, and personalized learning.
- Guided the AVID leadership team through the National Demonstration School candidacy process while expanding Family Math, Literacy, and STEM engagement initiatives that strengthened partnerships with families.
- Championed instructional innovation by coaching teachers, facilitating professional learning, and leveraging student achievement data to improve classroom instruction and academic outcomes.
- Fostered a collaborative culture focused on continuous improvement by aligning instructional leadership, technology integration, family engagement, and student support systems around shared goals.
Assistant Principal, Toro Canyon Middle School
Coachella Valley Unified School District
08.2008 - 06.2010
- Partnered with teachers to strengthen classroom management, instructional practices, and student engagement through coaching, collaborative problem-solving, and ongoing professional support.
- Designed and facilitated professional learning focused on instructional best practices, classroom management, and data-informed instruction that improved teaching effectiveness.
- Coordinated campus behavior systems, restorative interventions, emergency preparedness, and school safety initiatives that promoted positive student behavior and maximized instructional time.
- Utilized student achievement and behavioral data to guide interventions, support school improvement efforts, and inform instructional and operational decision-making.
- Cultivated strong partnerships with families and community organizations through parent engagement initiatives, collaborative outreach, and schoolwide events that strengthened trust and student success.
- Conducted classroom observations, supported master scheduling and campus operations, and provided constructive feedback that contributed to teacher growth and effective school management.
Math, Technology & Project Teacher, Toro Canyon MS
Coachella Valley Unified School District
01.2003 - 06.2008
- Collaborated within Professional Learning Communities to analyze student data, refine instructional practices, and implement targeted interventions that improved student achievement.
- Designed and delivered engaging, technology-integrated lessons that differentiated instruction for diverse learners while promoting collaboration, critical thinking, and active student engagement.
- Implemented research-based instructional strategies and language scaffolds to increase academic success for English Learners and students with diverse learning needs.
- Leveraged educational technology and digital learning platforms to enhance instruction, monitor student progress, and support data-informed decision-making.
- Served as a campus technology resource, providing coaching and support that helped colleagues effectively integrate instructional technology into classroom practice.
- Fostered an inclusive, student-centered learning environment that emphasized high expectations, real-world application, positive relationships, and college and career readiness.
Education
Doctoral Coursework - K-12 Educational Leadership
Capella University
01-2008
Master of Arts - Education & Teaching
Chapman University
01-2005
Bachelor of Arts - Business Communications & English
University of Southern California
01-1996
Skills
- Educational leadership
- Curriculum development
- Performance evaluation
- Strategic planning
- Program evaluation
- Team collaboration
- Effective communication
- Compliance management
- Data analysis
- Community engagement
Honors And Recognition
- Principal of the Year, Riverside County Office of Education | 2025-26
- Outstanding Administrator of the Year, California Family & Consumer Sciences | 2025-26
- Outstanding Administrator of the Year, California Family & Consumer Sciences | 2022-23
- You Make the Difference Award, DSUSD Parent Recognition | 2020-21
- Outstanding Administrator Award, Special Education, Desert Sands Unified School District | 2018-19
- Rotary Club Middle School Principal of the Year | 2011-12
Certification
- Administative Services Credential, California Commission Teacher Credentialing, 2029
- Single Subject Credential (Business), California Commission Teacher Credentialing, 2029
- Single Subject Credential (English), California Commssion Teacher Credentialing, 2029
- Google AI Educator Certification, Google for Education / ISTE | 2025
- Google Certified Educator (Level 1 & Level 2), Google Learning Center | 2021
Professional Development
- Executive Development Program Graduate, National Institute for School Leadership (NISL) | 2021
- Equity-Centered Leaders Academy, Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) | 2015
- Principals Academy, Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) | 2010
Timeline
Principal, Alternative Education
Riverside County Office of Education
08.2022 - 06.2026
Principal, Shadow Hills High School
Desert Sands Unified School District
08.2017 - 06.2022
Assistant Principal, Shadow Hills & Indio High HS
Desert Sands Unified School District
08.2013 - 06.2017
Principal, Toro Canyon Middle School
Coachella Valley Unified School District
07.2010 - 06.2013
Assistant Principal, Toro Canyon Middle School
Coachella Valley Unified School District
08.2008 - 06.2010
Math, Technology & Project Teacher, Toro Canyon MS
Coachella Valley Unified School District
01.2003 - 06.2008
Doctoral Coursework - K-12 Educational Leadership
Capella University
Master of Arts - Education & Teaching
Chapman University
Bachelor of Arts - Business Communications & English
University of Southern California