FONTANA, CA – Fontana Unified School District has appointed four new elementary school principals, who will welcome students, faculty and staff for the 2018-19 year on Aug. 6.

Sandra Loudermilk will lead Date Elementary, Amanda Colon will lead Locust Elementary, Lauri Martin will helm Palmetto Elementary and Dr. Amanda Beasley will oversee Randall Pepper Elementary.

“We are very excited to welcome four brilliant administrators to Fontana, who share our core values and will work to ensure that every student is prepared for success in college, career and life,” Fontana Unified Superintendent Randal S. Bassett said. “Fontana looks forward to the tremendous leadership our new principals will bring to the District for years to come.”

Loudermilk was inspired to pursue a career in education after working as a bilingual aide at Locust Elementary when she was in college.

Loudermilk attended Cal State San Bernardino and has worked as an elementary school teacher, reading specialist, intervention teacher and assistant principal before serving as principal at Victoria Magathan Elementary in the Adelanto Elementary School District.

“I became an educator because of the amazing teachers and principal at Locust,” Loudermilk said. “Since my return to the District, I have been reconnecting with friends and colleagues. I am eager to bring my knowledge to Date Elementary and bring about positive change.”

Martin was inspired to become an educator after attending the funeral of her grandfather while in third grade. During the service, Martin listened to speakers enthusiastically praise him as a man who had changed their lives. Martin has used this memory as a guidepost for supporting all students, especially those with special needs, and helping them plan for a successful future.

“I wanted to be that person, someone like my grandfather who changed people’s lives and helped others,” Martin said. “Even then, I knew I wanted to be someone like that. I love helping and supporting all youth to be successful.”

Martin, who earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies at Chapman University and a master’s degree in educational leadership at National University, comes to Palmetto Elementary after serving as assistant principal of Kaiser High School and principal of Vista Heritage Middle School in Santa Ana.

Colon’s high school English teacher recognized her ability to connect with young students and advised her to consider becoming an elementary school teacher. After several years in the classroom, Colon switched to administration and earned a master’s degree in educational administration at Cal State San Bernardino. She most recently served as principal of Vista Grande Elementary in Ontario-Montclair School District.

“My English teacher really shaped me into the person I have become; I decided I wanted an opportunity to give back to others, especially kids, to tap into their strengths and support them in meeting their highest potential,” Colon said. “I feel so blessed for this great opportunity to join the FUSD team and lead the Locust Lion family.”

Beasley has dreamed of being a teacher for as long as she can remember. Growing up in Los Angeles, Beasley was inspired by the great teachers who surrounded her.

While working as an elementary school teacher, she earned her doctorate in educational leadership, administration and policy from Pepperdine. Before coming to Fontana, Beasley served as principal of Highland Elementary School in Inglewood Unified School District.

“My teachers showed me the importance and power of having caring adults in your life, so I made the decision to be one of those caring adults in the lives of others,” Beasley said. “I am so excited to join the Randall Pepper team and I look forward to all of our endless possibilities.”