Mr. Barraza, Principal

Mr. Gilbert Barraza, Jr., is the Principal of Sparks Elementary School of HLPUSD, CA.  Principal Barraza is happily married, has four children and they have all graduated from college and entered their respective careers.  Additionally, his family enjoys their two grandchildren.  He is a lifelong Dodger, Laker, Clipper and Dallas Cowboy Fan. Mr. Barraza was born and raised in El Paso, TX. and earned his bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1989. That same year he began his teaching career as an English teacher and Activities Director at Hanks High School in El Paso, Texas. Mr. Barraza earned his Master’s degree in Educational Administration from New Mexico State University in 2001.

Mr. Barraza is a former Administrator and Principal in CA:

• 2016-2018 Pasadena Athletic and Title IX Director, PUSD, CA.
• 2010-2016 Principal Pasadena High School, PUSD, Pasadena, CA.
• 2004-2010 Principal Calexico High School, CUSD, Calexico, CA.
• 2002-2004 Assistant Principal, Eastwood Heights Elementary School, Ysleta Independent School District, El Paso, TX.
• 1996-2002 Activities Director, Bel Air High School, Ysleta Independent School District, El Paso, TX.
• 1989-1996 English Teacher of Hanks High School, Ysleta Independent School District, El Paso, TX.

Mr. Barraza is proud that his faculty, staff and administration have produced 17 Bill Gates Millennium Scholarship winners! Additionally, US News and World Reports recognized his schools as 2009, 2013, 2015, 2016 & 2017 Silver Award winners with an outstanding going to college index.