New Principals at Grant High School, Foothill Oaks Elementary

Twin Rivers Unified School District promoted three administrators to new assignments for the 2013-14 school year.

Darris Hinson takes over as the new principal at Grant Union High School.

“This feels so good,” said Hinson in a press release. “I’m very excited about my new role at Grant.”

Hinson, a 1993 graduate of Morehouse College, has a bachelor’s degree in mass communications. He has been an administrator at Grant Union High School for nine years. Before that, he taught television production and English at the school.

“This is my fourteenth year at the school (former vice principal), which has a strong family and community environment,” said Hinson. “In fact, I grew up in Del Paso Heights. I attended Del Paso Heights Elementary, Martin Luther King Jr. Technology Academy (then Martin Luther King Jr. High), and graduated from Grant in 1988. This school has a history of administrators that have gone to school here and returned, and it feels good to be a part of that kind of history.”

Darris Hinson

Sylvia Hanna is the new principal at Foothill Oaks Elementary. Hanna, with 17 years of experience in education, has worked as a Twin Rivers’ curriculum and instruction neighborhood network coordinator since 2010. She has also been a teacher and summer school principal.

“What a great honor,” said Hanna. “I’m excited about this opportunity.”

Hanna has a bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration from American University, Cairo, and a master’s in education from Walden University.

“Foothill Oaks is a wonderful school with a dedicated and hard-working staff,” said Hanna. “The school also has very involved and supportive parents and community members, and I am looking forward to working with everyone. I believe teamwork and open communication are very important and know that together we will continue to ensure a positive and productive learning environment for our students.”

Sylvia Hanna

Graciela Garcia-Torres has been promoted to Twin Rivers’ new director of ELL/ELD.

Garcia-Torres most recently served as the principal of Oakdale Elementary in North Highlands.  She has a master’s degree in multicultural education from CSU, Sacramento, and a bachelor’s in liberal studies (bilingual/cross-cultural), also from CSU, Sacramento.

“I am excited to take on a new position and look forward to serving all students and families,” said Garcia-Torres. “I consider myself a service leader and use all of my enriching experiences to give my very best to the profession to benefit our students.”

“My most recent experience as the principal of Oakdale was very enriching in the scope of the heart of working closely with all levels in education,” said Garcia-Torres. “I am humbled and honored to be trusted as a leader in various levels.”

Graciela Garcia-Torres

These moves come after the district announced new principles at MLK Jr. Tech Academy, Norwood Jr. High, and Regency Park Elementary.

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