After being stuck at home for the majority of our last school year, we are finally back in person and with a new Santiago staff member. Here at Santiago High School, we are lucky enough to have multiple Assistant Principals and we’re lucky to have our new Assistant Principal: Mr. Sanchez. With that being said let’s hear more about what Mr. Sanchez has planned for our school and learn who he is as a person. 

Before working here at Santiago High School where were you working before here?

“Before I was working in the Riverside Unified School District at John W North High School – so that’s on the east side.  I was there for about three years before that I was here in Corona-Norco and I was working at Roosevelt High School for about 12 years as a counselor and before that, I was at Ontario-Montclair school district where I worked for about 4 years as a crisis counselor.  I went to – I think it was – 10 elementary schools and two middle schools in a silver Chrysler. I would go out there and kind of help out and the time and before that, I did a lot of stuff – went from there to a Regional Center in Segura Pomona working with adults and kids who had cerebral palsy, epilepsy – who had intellectual disabilities.”  

What do you believe was your calling for applying here? 

“I think I got lucky. I got very lucky because I was here in Corona Norco – which I love and then I went to Riverside for a little bit and then the position was opening up to be an Assistant Principal so then that’s when I applied and I got very lucky to be placed here at Santiago which is an awesome school.  I love it. That’s how I felt – I ended up here – man it was all good stuff.”

As one of our school ap’s, what grades and departments are you in charge of? 

“So I oversee all 9th graders – so all freshmen students coming in. I also oversee our accounting department, technical education department, EL program, and the attendance office.”

Looking at our school what do you find as one of our weaknesses? 

“I don’t know. I just started up in July so part of me is just really getting to know the school, getting to know the culture like what makes it tick, getting to know all the students, the staff, the parents, and everything. Right now I’m really in an absorbing mode trying to learn as much as I can.” 

Outside of school what is something you find yourself being very passionate about? 

“Soccer!  I love soccer and also my family – getting to hang out with them. We have three kids in high school, middle school, and elementary and we have a dog. My wife and I are celebrating 20 years of marriage this year. I feel like I recharge my batteries when I’m with them when I’m around the family. We have extended family so we have family in LA and different parts of LA county so on the weekends that’s kinda what we do. We plan to go out there or to our house before the pandemic where everyone would come over on Sundays. Now we meet at a park somewhere and social distance and stuff but it’s still good stuff man. That’s what I love.”

What kind of person do you think others would describe you as? 

“I think because some of my background is in counseling and social work and all that stuff  – I would say that I am a good listener, patient, calm – especially in crisis mood – I keep my chill, and to balance it out I would say a sense of humor as well.” 

In your own words, what does being a SHARK mean to you on campus and off?

“So I was thinking about that, that’s a good question and I was thinking about this stuff and part of it is this: that I have in my office as well right, you know to hustle the only controllable pillar of success.  I think being a shark is about taking responsibility for the decisions that you make and to be honest with yourself and set goals that you’re willing to complete and achieve for yourself.  You know, it’s one of those things that you know we talk about –  goal setting and all that stuff but if it’s something you want, you set it as a goal and you hustle – you keep grinding until you get there. Have respect for yourself and others by really knowing how you carry yourself. I feel like if you have respect for yourself then you have respect for others and that will just carry on. To know to have the courage to be yourself and I think sometimes that’s hard. And that’s what it means to be a shark both in and out.”

Hopefully, after reading this interview you will be able to understand and feel more connected to our school’s new Assistant Principal – as well as receive some life lessons in this interview.  If you have any questions, concerns, or simply want to know more about him you can reach him by email at [email protected] or in his office here on campus.