Welcome to La Veta Elementary!

La Veta Elementary strives to ensure the progress of all students to their highest potential through a rigorous standards-based academic curriculum and instruction supported by research-based pedagogy.  As a professional learning community, our students are successful as the result of input from all stakeholders.  School Site Council, English Language Acquisition Committee and PTA all play an active role in the decision making process at La Veta.

Our goal is to provide a positive and safe learning environment.  The school climate is enhanced through special programs, assemblies and activities, many of which are provided by PTA funding.  La Veta teachers provide a warm and caring atmosphere for their students.  This same caring attitude is visible in interactions between office staff, noon supervisors, aides, school administration and students.  La Veta is known to be a place where children feel safe and motivated to learn. Our instructional program reflects high expectations for all students.

Although I am new to La Veta, I have been in education for 30 years.  I have a bachelor’s degree from the University of Redlands and a master’s degree from California State University Fullerton.  My experience includes classroom teacher, mentor teacher, IBM education consultant, site administrator and district curriculum coordinator.  This year I am joining the La Veta team after eight years as Principal at Palmyra Elementary.  My professional associations and accomplishments include: former Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 17 Elementary Administrator Representative; Adjunct Professor at Concordia University; past member of the Tustin Public Schools Foundation Board of Directors; and Orange Unified School District’s 2010-2011 Administrator of the Year.  I also share my administrative expertise by serving as an assessor for the Orange County Department of Education in their Developing the 21st Century Principal program.

I am really excited to be here and look forward to leading the professional learning community at La Veta Elementary!

Connie Smith
Principal