Already undergoing major physical changes, Point Loma High School will now experience a human one. Principal Hans Becker announced last week that he has accepted a new position as principal of Rancho Bernardo High School in the Poway Unified School District.
In a letter emailed to parents, Becker called it “a career move that comes with many mixed emotions and sleepless nights.
“I love Point Loma High School and the students, staff, parents, and communities we serve. I have always said that Point Loma is the finest high school in San Diego and I still believe that,” Becker wrote. “However, I’ve always known I was not going to be fortunate enough to serve this community forever.
“My educational pathway has always revolved around change and reinventing myself, and that is what drives me,” Becker wrote. “I have been at PLHS for 12 years; five years as vice principal and seven as principal. It’s actually one of the longest tenures of any administrator at Point Loma and I am honored to be a part of this school’s fabric.
“Words cannot tell you the gratitude I feel for the positive impact you have had on me as a person,” Becker told the community. “I’ve always believed what makes a school amazing is its people, and that’s you. It’s the amazing students, artists, and athletes, it’s the top-notch staff and the always supportive families—generation after generation.”
Becker succeeded previous Principal Bobbie Samilson in 2014.
His new position begins in July and the San Diego Unified School District will post the open position initiating a process that hopefully will result in the naming of a new leader prior to the opening of the new school year on Aug. 31.
Becker anticipates his successor will be an exceptional person.
“Point Loma (High School) is a highly desired school for the finest aspiring administrators,” he noted. “I can assure you that the next principal of this school will be an excellent educational leader; nothing less will be tolerated by our community and the San Diego Unified School District.”
Becker assured current students and parents he will continue to advocate for them.
“I am still your principal and will make sure that we finish the year as strong and as safe as possible. I will be there for the class of 2020 to the very end. I wish you all the best and I am still here to support, talk, or answer questions. My biggest regret is that I can’t do this in person.”