Principal Kester Song is the new Korean American principal of ABC Unified School District’s Carmenita Middle School. Having attended Cerritos Elementary, Carmenita Middle School, and Cerritos High School, Principal Song is a “product of the ABC schools.” After going through various paths in the education field, Principal Song has now returned to his home district to serve the cougars.
With a Bachelor of Architecture from Cal Poly, Pomona, Principal Song’s initial goal after high school was to become an architect. However, he was ultimately drawn to education after teaching Sunday school and working with the church youth groups throughout his years during and after college. Principal Song had studied theology and received his Masters in Divinity at Westminster Theological Seminary. He also has a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Cal State, Los Angeles.
Principal Song also has an eclectic range of experience in education. He began as a teacher for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade math and science and became the Dean of Students at Virgil Middle School in Koreatown. He was then promoted to be an assistant principal at both Markham Middle School and Gompers Middle School in South L.A. He then returned three years ago to the ABC Unified School District as the assistant principal of curriculum and instruction at Artesia High School, and is now preparing for a new school year as the principal of Carmenita Middle School.
“Carmenita is a great school and the teachers have worked tirelessly to ensure that all students make progress,” Principal Song said. “I was humbled and excited to be named the new principal at Carmenita Middle School.”
Although Principal Song did not take the traditional route in becoming a principal, he is still confident that his experiences will contribute in making Carmenita a better school with energized students and teachers.
“Carmenita is one of the best middle schools in California, and my goal is to make sure that we sustain and improve on our success,” said Principal Song. “I plan on being the principal at Carmenita Middle School for the foreseeable future and helping in its success.”
