Dr. Jennifer Sandoval, Principal

Meet Dr. Jennifer Sandoval

Principal, Sparks Elementary School

Sparks Elementary School is proud to welcome Dr. Jennifer Sandoval as our new Principal. A dedicated educator and leader, Dr. Sandoval brings a wealth of experience, a deep commitment to students, and a clear vision centered on unity, empowerment, and impact.

Dr. Sandoval is a proud local educator who grew up near the La Puente and Hacienda Heights communities. She is a wife and mother of two boys, an educator at heart, and a devoted baseball mom. Outside of school, she enjoys traveling and spending time in nature, values that reflect her balanced and people‑centered approach to leadership.

Her educational journey includes a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with a Master of Arts in Education, and a Doctorate of Education. She began her career in education in 2000 and devoted 20 years as a classroom teacher, where she taught Math, Science, and AVID. She later served five years as an Assistant Principal and spent three years at Claremont Graduate University, further strengthening her expertise in educational leadership.

Dr. Sandoval’s “why” is deeply personal. She openly shares that school was not always easy for her, and those experiences shaped her strong belief that demographics do not determine destiny. She leads with a positive mindset, drive, and determination, and firmly believes that every student can succeed and pursue a college and career path with the right support.

As Principal, Dr. Sandoval emphasizes culturally responsive, evidence‑based practices to support all learners. Her instructional focus includes authentic relationship‑building, activating prior knowledge, cooperative learning strategies, close reading and annotation, and timely, effective feedback grounded in clear goals and expectations.

Looking ahead to the 2025–2026 school year, Dr. Sandoval’s goals include:

• Listening and learning alongside the Sparks community
• Building a strong literacy foundation
• Increasing staff engagement and collaboration
• Strengthening student connections
• Deepening family and community partnerships
• Maintaining ongoing communication
• Supporting college and career readiness for all students

Dr. Sandoval is committed to working hand‑in‑hand with staff, families, and the community to ensure student success. She encourages families to stay connected, prioritize attendance, and continue nurturing kindness and effort in every child.

Guided by the theme “Unite – Empower – Impact,” Dr. Sandoval looks forward to leading Sparks Elementary into a successful and inspiring future, where every student feels supported, challenged, and valued.

Join us in welcoming and celebrating Dr. Sandoval’s leadership and the high expectations she sets for our school community. Her vision will guide our students toward a bright future, united, empowered, and inspired to succeed.