Administration and Leadership

Principal Katerina Palomares joined Junipero Serra Elementary School in 2021, adding to her decades of dedicated service and leadership within the San Francisco Unified School District. She began her career in 1998 as a Spanish bilingual elementary educator, cultivating a passion for culturally responsive teaching and strong family partnerships. Her experiences in the classroom led her into school leadership, where she has served as both Assistant Principal and Principal across a range of SFUSD school communities.

Principal Palomares has brought her expertise to school sites throughout San Francisco, including those in Chinatown, Lake Merced, and the Excelsior/Portola District. Her leadership is grounded in equity, inclusion, and a deep commitment to supporting every student’s academic and social-emotional growth. As the leader of a community school, she champions a whole-child approach that integrates academics, wellness, family partnership, and community resources. Known for her strong, steady leadership, she proudly shares this vision and experience to the vibrant, diverse community of Junipero Serra Elementary in Bernal Heights, where she continues to foster a collaborative, student-centered school culture.