School District's New Leader Has Her Own Measure for Success

Sherry Kropp couldn’t have children of her own, but her love for children grew when she was around them.

“I always enjoyed it when my two nephews and niece would come over,” Kropp said.

She became a teacher in 1978. “I loved the interaction with young people and wanted to be a positive influence in their lives,” she said.

And, after 26 years of working for the Los Alamitos Unified School District, Kropp was named the new superintendent by the LAUSD board. Kropp replaces Gregory Franklin, who that he would leave to take over the Tustin Unified School District. Kropp's total compensation package will run about $230,000 a year. She received a four-year contract.

Kropp, who has been assistant superintendent of educational services for six years, will take over July 1. She has worked for the district since 1985 in various capacities, including teacher and site administrator, according to a news release from the district. 

“It is a privilege for us to have her,” said board member Jeffrey Barke. “We wanted to hire someone from within the district so we can have continuity.”  

Kropp says her leadership style in her new role will be “inclusive and collaborative.”

“I love working for the district,” she said. “The parents and staff are all very involved in our children’s education. It’s a very unique community we have here.”

Kropp said that she won't measure her success in her new role just by achievement tests such as the California High School Exit Examination and SAT. 

“I would measure the graduate percentage rate and the percentage of students that are involved in the arts and athletics,” she said.

Kropp didn’t realize she would love working in schools so much until she stumbled upon it in college.

“I was in my second year of college when I took an elective course, Intro to Education, and I loved it,” she said.

Kropp knew this was her calling and became a middle school teacher in Spokane, WA, the state where she was born.

But she remembers how difficult it was for her when she was transitioning to California and had to take a myriad of odd jobs, including working in a model talent agency, before landing a teaching job.

“I hated it. It was the longest year for me of my life,” said the Marina High School graduate. “I grew up in California and couldn’t wait to come back here and teach.”
 
But shortly after a year, Kropp quickly began teaching again at Los Alamitos High School in 1985.

“I can’t imagine a better place than Los Alamitos to live, work and play,” she said.

Kropp had always been a very involved and eager student. In high school, Kropp said, she did everything from cheerleading to playing softball and volleyball.

“I loved to do all sorts of different activities,” said Kropp, who laughs at the fact she played the guitar and accordion as a kid. “I still continue staying active and love playing golf with friends.”