Our Principals

After two years as the Assistant Principal, Mr. Jacob Gile is extremely grateful and enthusiastic to lead the Echo Valley Elementary Team! Mr. Gile holds both a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master of Arts degree in Elementary Education. Jacob also attended the Educational Leadership and Administration Program at California State University, Monterey Bay, (CSUMB).

Mr. Gile is proud to call the Central Coast home. He attended Castroville Elementary for 1st & part of 2nd grade. The majority of his life Mr. Gile has resided in Marina, California. Before entering education, Mr. Gile worked in Fire Protection and is also a U.S. Army Veteran. During his time with the U.S. Army, Mr. Gile was stationed in Germany. Upon leaving the service he worked as a preschool teacher in Germany.

After he served his country overseas, Mr. Gile came back home to Marina, California and worked as a 4th Grade teacher for the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, (MPUSD). In addition to his teaching duties, Mr. Gile was a mentor and coach working with both novice and veteran teachers with a focus on Culturally Responsive Teaching, and Arts Integration. He also served in leadership capacities on the Instructional Leadership Team,
District Equity, and STEAM teams.

Mr. Gile has led several Arts Integration, science and community engagement projects. During his time in MPUSD he created and led a community DJ Club which was conducted during the summer and on Saturdays. The students in this club went on to perform at school, district,
and community events. One such event was a fundraiser for Arts Education in Monterey County held at the Sunset Center in Carmel, California. He also has collaborated with his community, students and staff to lead mural projects, annual talent shows and CSUMB student science fairs at his site.

Mr. Gile describes his core educational leadership principles as equity, collaboration, creativity, and adaptability. He is very passionate about Arts Integration as he believes it is a doorway to each of these values. Jacob has engaged in several public speaking engagements to present on Arts Integration. He has spoken on a local radio station, to community leaders at the Sunset Cultural Center and also to other community involvement groups.  Mr. Gile’s hobbies include DJing, community engagement, and visiting theme parks with his wife and children.

 

Mrs. Katherine Horton is dedicated to her service in North Monterey County.  She is delighted to be serving the Echo Valley Elementary community and team.  Mrs. Horton earned a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from UC Santa Cruz.  Her graduate work consisted of a Master of Arts degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from Monterey Institute of International Studies as well as a Master of Science degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University.  Mrs. Horton has taught in North Monterey County for 26 years.  Those years were split between Castroville Elementary,  Elkhorn Elementary and the California New Teacher Project.  She feels fortunate to teach and support families  in such a beautiful tight knit community.  

Mrs. Horton was  born and raised on the Central Coast.  The majority of time growing up in the San Lorenzo Valley and then with her family in Santa Cruz.  Her family now lives in the Royal Oaks area where they plan to stay.   Music and art are important parts of her day.  Her hobbies include kayaking, traveling, gardening  and reading.   

Mrs. Horton is dedicated to supporting teachers, students and the community.  She mentored  student teachers for many years along with working with the Santa Cruz New Teacher Project for five years serving the central coast as a mentor for beginning teachers.  It was in that capacity that Mrs. Horton learned  the importance of reflecting on one’s practice.  Mrs. Horton has also been the Administrator for summer school for the past 3 years which gave her the opportunity to meet families from the North County Elementary Schools.   Mrs. Horton’s leadership is focused on equity, strong communication and reflection.  She understands the importance of being available to students, families and staff.