The path I followed leading to Rio del Mar has its origins in the cornfields of central Illinois. It meanders through Costa Rican rainforests and midwestern river valleys leading me, finally to the Pacific coast and Oxnard, CA. Along the way, I earned degrees in foreign language and school administration, became bilingual, and taught Spanish at a large, suburban high school as well as a community college.
In the summer 2019, I was invited to participate in our district’s IBID (Inquiry Based Instructional Designers) summer institute. That summer I was introduced to influential and inspiring teachers and administrators who were creating the kinds of schools I had always dreamed of working in. That fall I was given the opportunity to grow as an educator as the assistant principal at Rio del Sol. For the past three years, I’ve helped guide Rio Real through a pandemic as their assistant principal. I’m proud of all those teachers and students accomplished and their dual-immersion model.
I find balance and space to recharge my batteries in the outdoors. For a time while I was still in the midwest, I volunteered at a raptor rehabilitation center caring for injured owls, eagles, and other birds. Since moving to California, I’ve enjoyed learning about the peculiar birds and ecosystems here on and just off the coast. Another passion is live music. My friends and I love to travel to music festivals during the summer.
My husband, Jeff, and I have three daughters all finished or finishing college in the midwest. We share our apartment with two orange kitties, Moe and Sonny. Like us, they are still learning what it means to be a Californian.
I am thrilled to be here at Mar and look forward to our work together.
Leslie Hudson
Principal, Rio del Mar
(805) 485-0560