Susanne Scott, principal of Herbert Hoover Elementary School for the past eight years, will retire in June, the Palo Alto school district announced Wednesday (Jan. 11).
Hoover, on Charleston Road, is one of Palo Alto’s “choice” schools, drawing families from throughout the district who seek “a more structured alternative to elementary education.” The school serves 416 students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
A process for replacing Scott will take place this spring, the school district said.
Scott came to Palo Alto from Pennsylvania in 1991, first working as a “reading specialist” and later as a fifth-grade teacher at Palo Verde Elementary School. From 2001 to 2005 she was a “literary resource teacher on special assignment” (TOSA) for the district, and for two years was also principal of Palo Alto’s Literacy Summer School.
She was appointed interim principal at Hoover in 2004 and became the permanent principal the following year.
“Having the opportunity to see the world through the eyes of young learners and to experience the true joy of discovery, as it unfolds each day across our classrooms, this has been the best of all possible careers,” Scott said.
Superintendent Kevin Skelly said, “Dr. Scott has been a superb principal and a leader of leaders in the Palo Alto Unified School District. The Hoover community and district colleagues will sorely miss Dr. Scott’s leadership, passion for education excellence and wise counsel.”
By Chris Kenrick
By Chris Kenrick
By Chris Kenrick
My family and I only have love in our hearts for Dr. Scott. We chose to entrust our child’s education to Hoover because of Dr. Scott, and she will be sorely missed by us after her retirement.
Dr. Scott has led Hoover to become a tremendous, caring, child-centered, nurturing learning community. Under her leadership it has become, truly, a great school by any measure.
Best of wishes to you, Dr. Scott, in your future endeavors. Clear skies. Much love. And, thank you for all you’ve done for us. Your work at Hoover has truly made a difference in our lives.
Dr. Scott has been a blessing. She knows each student as a person and is a deeply committed and caring principal. Hers are big shoes to fill and she will be sorely missed.
Though not a Hoover parent, I have had many opportunities to work as a volunteer with Dr. Scott. I admire her professionalism and devotion to her students, school community families, and staff. I wish her the very best in her retirement. I know she will be missed by many.
As one of the five Palo Alto residents who helped establish Hoover School in 1974 it has been a pleasure to see Hoover flourish as an outstanding educational facility. Suzanne’s leadership certainly carried on the vision we had for the children of Palo Alto!
Retirement is not an option. I will gather signatures to petition the school board to keep you for, at least, another ten years. You can’t go now. Will someone pinch me and tell me this is not happening. My family and I don’t have any reasons to visit Hoover.
Seriously, congratulations, Dr. Scott.
We should keep her as long as we can as she is an outstanding educator; I have two graduated boys from Hoover. She is the best and I fully respect her. Please keep her for our school district!
regards,
It is a shame that you are retiring so early because you are one of the best principals and teachers in Palo Alto District. I hope you still around and train new principals and teachers so it is not like you are gone, and they continue your work of making schools and classrooms a better place for our students. We need more teachers and principals like you. My kids have such a great memories of Palo Verde Elementary because of you. Wish you the best:)
Thank you for your work with our kids and our community!
As a student myself, Dr.Scott has been an amazing principal, each and every one of us was special in her eyes, she always said to keep on going and just a couple more words, congrats Dr.Scott.
As a former Palo Verde Parent, one year later, I can still say, that I have not found another teacher, principal, board member or PAUSD administrator who had such a big hard and who was always trying to make the school days better for the students. You are missed here in PAUSD. I can’t believe that this student who posted today, he still have the same memories as my children. Thank you.