3 San Clemente Schools Get New Principals

The Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday night appointed principals for Shorecliffs Middle School and Concordia and Vista del Mar elementary schools in San Clemente. Heidi Crowley, currently an assistant principal at Aliso Niguel High School, was appointed principal at Shorecliffs; Paul Foucart, director of instruction and instructional technology in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, was named principal at Concordia Elementary School; and Troy Hunt, Ed.D., administrative director for educational services in the Cypress School District, was hired as principal of Vista del Mar Elementary School. “I am excited to welcome each of these talented instructional leaders to their new positions,” Board President John M. Alpay said. “The quality and variety of experiences each of these leaders bring to their positions will be an asset to the academic progress of the students and to the communities they serve in San Clemente.” Crowley, who is replacing retiring Shorecliffs Principal Kenny Moe, began her career in 1992 as an English teacher at Niguel Hills Middle School. She later moved to Newhart Middle School where she served as the Peer Assistance League adviser, activities director, and journalism adviser. In 2003, Crowley became activities director at Aliso Niguel High School and was hired as an assistant principal there in 2005. Crowley received her undergraduate degree and teaching credential from San Diego State University and her masters degree from CSU San Bernardino. She earned her administrative credential from Chapman University. Foucart will succeed Concordia Principal Dave Gerhard, who is also retiring. Foucart began his administrative career as an assistant principal and principal in Arizona in 2003. In 2005, he moved to the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, where he served as principal at two schools before becoming the director of instruction and instructional technology. Foucart received his bachelors degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and his masters from Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts. Hunt will take over for Vista del Mar Principal Scott Young, who has also announced his retirement. Hunt has served in administrative positions since 1993, when he was a middle school vice principal in the Downey Unified School District. He became an elementary principal in the Cypress School District in 1996. He served as a principal of two schools before becoming administrative director, educational services in 2002. Hunt has also served as an adjunct professor, teaching graduate level education courses at Biola and Concordia universities. He completed his bachelors degree at Biola University and his teaching credential at CSU Long Beach. He earned a masters and administrative credential at CSU Fullerton and has a doctorate in educational leadership from University of La Verne. All three will begin their positions in the fall.