Sandra Jimenez, Principal
Sandra Jimenez, has served as the school’s principal since August 2017. Prior to becoming Principal, Mrs. Jimenez taught at St. Peter’s for fifteen years, and her long-standing commitment to educating students in the Mercy tradition has served her well as principal. She holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education from the University of California, Berkeley as well as a multiple subjects credential. In 2017, she also earned her Master’s degree in Catholic Educational Leadership from the University of San Francisco.
Jimenez grew up in San Francisco and is a long-time parishioner of Epiphany Parish where she attended Mass and also attended Epiphany School from 1st to 8th grade. While attending Lowell High School and UC Berkeley, she wanted to keep connected to her faith so she taught Catechism classes to 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students.
At UC Berkeley, Jimenez’s love for working with children drew her to study education. “My mother was a teacher in the Philippines and she really encouraged me.”
Jimenez began her teaching career at Bret Harte Elementary School. “My first experience was at a public school in San Francisco. I was looking for a school where I would feel more of a family connection. At the moment that I was speaking to the Human Resources Department at the Archdiocese of San Francisco, Sr. Marian Rose (former administrator) called from St. Peter’s and I interviewed for a 5th grade position there the very next day.”
Jimenez has taught a mix of 5th and 6th grade during her fifteen years at St. Peter’s as well as both Kindergarten and 1st grades in the summer school program. She and her husband, Jason, have also been members of the parent community since their three children have been St. Peter’s students!
Over the years, she has worked with fellow members of the parent community coordinating and leading the Madrinas Marketing group, the Community Builders group, and the Campus Care group. “Through my work with the parent community, I want to increase involvement and partner with families in the education of their children. They are the first educators of their sons and daughters.”
Jimenez says: “I am very invested in the school’s success, and I want to be part of that success as principal. I’m excited to learn from and work with the teachers, students, and families. I want the students to excel academically and to help the students be good Christians. I am also looking forward to connecting with alumni because they are such a wonderful resource for our students to learn from. They have many gifts and talents to offer our school community.”