Welcome to the 2021-22 school year! It is my honor and privilege to join the Sahuaro Community this school year as your new Principal. I had the wonderful opportunity to spend some time on the Sahuaro campus in May and June, as well as work with many of the Sahuaro staff members this summer. I am already impressed by the wonderful welcome I have received from the Sahuaro community, and I am eager and excited to be back on campus soon.

 This will be my 20^th year in education, and my 15^th year in the Washington Elementary School District. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from University of Phoenix and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University. I hold Arizona educator credentials for Principal, Supervisor, and 1^st-8^th Grade Elementary Teacher, including endorsements in Early Childhood (Birth-Age 8), K-12 Reading Specialist, and K-12 Structured English Immersion.

 I began my teaching career at the Union Elementary School District in south Phoenix, where I taught 3^rd-8^th grade and worked in the district office as the Federal Programs Director. I transitioned to WESD in 2007, where I served as Program Coach at Lakeview Elementary for 5 years, Instructional Coach at Lookout Mountain Elementary for 7 years, and Assistant Principal at Lookout Mountain Elementary for 2 years.  

 I am a native of Phoenix, Arizona, and a proud former student of WESD, including Sweetwater Elementary and Desert Foothills Junior High. I grew up just a couple of miles away from the Sahuaro campus, and graduated from Moon Valley High School. I recently celebrated my 25^th wedding anniversary with my amazing husband, Cesar, and I am a proud mom to three awesome kids, Nathanael (21), Benjamin (18), and Naomi (15). In my free time, I love to travel, hike, kayak, eat out, watch TV, play board games, and go to the movies. I also adore spending time with my sweet 9-year-old Chiweenie, Molly, and my 7-year-old rescue Chihuahua, Lil’ Mama.

 My staff and I are dedicated to guiding and supporting each and every Sahuaro student toward achieving excellence. We are also committed to ensuring that our students have a positive experience at Sahuaro where they can grow socially, emotionally, and academically.

 I look forward to meeting you all very soon. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if there is anything I can do to support your family.

Sincerely,
Crystal Bustamante
Principal, Sahuaro Elementary School