Administration | English | Visual Arts | Leadership | Math | Physical Education | Performing Arts
ROP | ROTC | Science | Social Science | Special Education | World Language
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Dr. Anne Kalesik, Principal
E-mail: akalesik@psusd.us -
Linda Dugdale, Assistant Principal
E-mail: ldugdale@psusd.us -
Dr. Tracy Piper, Assistant Principal
E-mail: tpiper@psusd.us -
Art Sanchez, Vice Principal
E-mail: asanchez@psusd.us -
Erica Watson, Vice Principal
E-mail: ewatson@psusd.us
I have been in the Palm Springs Unified School District for 21 years as a site administrator. I was asst. principal and principal of Raymond Cree Middle School from 1998-2000. In 2000, I implemented and opened the Ramon Academy, and in 2003, I was made Principal of Alternative Education for Palm Springs Unified School District. In that position, I expanded alternative education in the district. In 2009, Mount San Jacinto and DHS Alternative Education were named California Continuation Sites of Excellence. This was following a six year WASC accreditation. In 2010, I was named Association of California School Administrators’ Educational Options Administrator for the State of California. Last year, in addition to my responsibilities, I was given leadership of Adult Education for Palm Springs Unified School District. I have taught for 5 years as an Adjunct Professor at Cal State San Bernardino, Palm Desert Campus in the masters program for aspiring school administrators.
I have a husband who is a Captain with Cal-Fire and a daughter who is 11. She is active in club soccer and plays in the Heatwave Jazz and Showband in La Quinta.
I am excited to come to a traditional high school and look forward to working with the staff and community to showcase all the good things going on at DHS. After having worked in all the cities in Palm Springs Unified School District and with students from grades K-Adult, I can honestly say the students here are the most polite I’ve had the pleasure to work with. The staff is committed to making things at DHSHS the best they can be. Together, we can insure that all students are receiving the academic rigor they deserve. In alternative education, we get to work at a more individual level with students, staff and families, and I look forward to seeking ways to make that happen on a large traditional high school campus.
I was born and raised in Bismarck, North Dakota, by parents who instilled in the family, the need and the love for education and the printed word.
After high school I attended the University of North Dakota where I majored in English and received my Bachelors of Science degree in Secondary Education in 1974. My first teaching position was at the high school level in Dickinson, North Dakota; a small community in the western portion of the state, home to Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders. I taught English Language Arts at D.H.S. for twelve years; while not only teaching English, but I also coached the debate teams and ran the competitive Speech Events for the state. During this time I continued my educational pursuits and earned a Master of Arts Degree in English from North Dakota State University.
In 1986 my husband and I relocated to the Desert, where I accepted a teaching position at Palm Springs High School, where I again taught English. While at P.S.H.S. I served the District in a variety of capacities, as lead teacher in the English department, on the District Curriculum Council, I served for three years on the P.S.U.S.D. board to establish power standards for the district, as well as serving to create and write benchmarks and pacing guides for the core curricular areas. In 2000, I was given the opportunity to move from the classroom setting and become the Assistant Principal at Palm Springs High School. In the capacity as Assistant Principal I was appointed to the District PAR/BSTA Council, a position I hold today. The PAR/BSTA board works with all new teachers to the District, assisting them in their educational pursuits of excellence. I have been the W.A.S.C. (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) Coordinator for P.S.H.S. since 1990 and have worked on every Accreditation panel and review until moving to D.H.S.H.S.
My current assignment at D.H.S. is working with curriculum, overseeing the counseling staff, registrar’s office and working with students to ensure their successful completion of high school and their pursuits of education beyond the high school level.
Mine is a welcome return to Desert Hot Springs High School since I was also a Math Teacher here. Raised in Chicago, I was a stockbroker on the New York and Chicago Stock Exchanges and worked in the restaurant and nightclub industry until moving to Palm Springs in 2000. My husband and I live in Palm Springs with our twin 10th grade daughters.
In 2004, I was named Teacher of the Year at DHSHS. Later that year I became Assistant Principal of Alternative Education. In my six years in Alternative Education, I worked throughout the district cities, but always considered Desert Hot Springs home. I moved the Desert Hot Springs Alternative Center from the High School campus to its current “Stater Bros.” location. The Alternative center is recognized for community service and arts programs in the city. I developed and, for six years, led the district’s first online program. Last year, I was named Administrator of the Year for the Palm Springs Unified School District and Technology Administrator of the Year for Cahuilla CUE.
I serve on the boards of two organizations, National Charity League and
Palm Springs Leadership Association. Between these organizations, over
$30,000 in college scholarships was awarded to local students over the
past two years.
This year, I am the administrator responsible for specialized programs ( REAL Academy, AVID, APEX), math, technology, and State Testing. I am excited to work with the committed staff at DHSHS to ensure every student is engaged in rigorous, relevant lessons that develop the 21st Century skills he/she will need to be successful after high school. I look forward to working with parents and community organizations to graduate students prepared to thrive in the community.
I was born and raised in Indio, California. My parents still live in my childhood home. I graduated from Indio High School in 1989. I was a three sport athlete. I wrestled, played football, and baseball. I give my Mom and Dad all the credit for pushing me to attend college. I would like to thank them for thinking more of me than I thought of myself.
After high school I wrestled and was an All American at Cerritos Junior College. I also played on the Southern California Bowl Championship Team at College of the Desert. I received my Associated Arts Degree in Liberal Arts. I continued my education at California State University of San Bernardino and received my Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Economics. I worked in the financial field for two years after college as an investment advisor. I became a teacher by chance, and fell in love with the positive interaction.
I taught many different subjects, but settled in Math. In addition I coached several sport including football, baseball, track, and wrestling. I was the Desert Valley League Coach of the year 2001, 2002, and 2003. I completed my Masters in Educational Administration, and have been an Administrator in Palm Springs Unified School District of the past six years. I am excited about working with the students at Desert Hot Springs High School. My duties as Vice Principal include Athletics, Activities, DELAC & ELAC, CELDT Testing, Facilities, and Disaster Preparedness Plan.
I was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I came to California at age 13
and graduated from Arlington High School in Riverside CA. I played volleyball,
basketball and track in high school and basketball in college.
After high school, I attended Victor Valley Community College and received
an Associate Arts Degree in Liberal Arts. I continued my education at
California State University, San Bernardino. I received a Bachelor of
Arts Degree in Psychology and two Masters Degree in Special Education
and Educational Administration.