San Diego principal named new leader of school

School officials began searching for a new principal as soon as current principal Jeff Anderson announced in January that he would be taking a new position at the district office. 

After an extensive search, the district chose Paul Robinson, currently the principal of Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego, out of a final list of seven candidates.

Robinson has been involved in education for 33 years. He has had many accomplishments at Rancho Bernardo, including starting a program to get an iPad for every teacher and Apple TV in every classroom. Next year, students at Rancho Bernardo will have ebooks on student tablets. 

“Technology is a tool, [but] what makes the class a great class is the teacher. I’d like to see us have both,” Robinson said. “SHS has great teachers, and we’ll work to give them technology that enhances what they do in the classroom.”

Robinson is a firm believer in the benefits technology brings into the classroom. 

“All technology brings is the benefit of ease,” Robinson said. “Whether it’s ease of accessing information, or ease of demonstration of learning, technology in all walks of life makes life easier.”

Robinson believes strongly in the input of students in regards to improving classroom technology. 

Having worked at Rancho Bernardo, a school similar to Saratoga in several ways, Robinson is accustomed to the condition of the school. Like Saratoga High, Rancho Bernardo High has a large band and a diverse student population. 

Anderson believes that because of the similarities between the schools, the transition will be smooth for Robinson.

“Socioeconomically it is a very similar situation, so he is used to the issues of affluence and how that affects kids in high school and what their parents expect,” Anderson said. 

Out of all the candidates interviewed for the position, Robinson stood out because of his strong ties with students. 

“During the [campus] site visit, seeing him operate in his school, he came across as a very engaged principal,” Anderson said. “He is totally involved in so many aspects of the school. The site visit is what made everybody on the committee be like, ‘Yes, this is a good decision.’”

Robinson hopes to establish similar ties to students here. 

“Probably the thing that I have loved the most about being the principal at RB is that I've got a great relationship with my students. They enjoy coming into my office and just talking,” Robinson said. “I hope the students at Saratoga and I will have that same connection soon.”

Besides getting to know the students, he is eager to work with the staff and the entire Saratoga community as well. 

“The great thing about both schools is that the students and staff work really well together. That's what makes it exciting for me to come join you,” Robinson said. “The sense of pride and accomplishment is the greatest when we achieve together and support each other.”

Robinson became interested in education during his junior year in college while he was working at several basketball camps. He was influenced in decision after meeting legendary basketball coach John Wooden, who coached at UCLA for many years and was previously a high school English teacher.

“[Wooden] talked to me about some of the great things he enjoyed about teaching school, [such as] working with young men and women and so he inspired me to pursue a teaching credential, which I did,” Robinson said.

Robinson has a bachelor’s degree from Point Loma Nazarene University and obtained his master’s degree in educational administration and administrative credential from National University. 

After receiving his master’s degree, he spent 17 years as an English teacher, 16 as an administrator and the last eight as a principal. 

Robinson will not begin working at Saratoga until July, but before he can start taking action, he wants to get a feel for the environment in Saratoga.

“I need to come up [to the school] and do a lot of listening and do a lot of observing and get to know the students, the staff and the community really well,” Robinson said. 

He sees his biggest immediate challenge as learning the names of every students and staff members.

“Each school has its own culture, so I'll be doing a lot of observation to see where I fit into that culture,” Robinson said.