Dear Del Cerro Community,

Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! I am filled with excitement and gratitude as I begin my third year as principal of Del Cerro Elementary. It continues to be an incredible honor to serve this amazing school community where students are joyful, staff are dedicated, and families are supportive partners in learning.

This year, our school-wide theme is “My Strength, My Superpower.” Together, we will help our students discover what makes them strong—both inside and out—and use those strengths to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. We believe that when students understand and embrace their unique superpowers, they grow in confidence, purpose, and pride.

As always, our work is grounded in our Del Cerro WAVE expectations: We show respect, Act responsibly, Value integrity, and ensure Everyone is safe. These shared values will guide us throughout the year as we continue building a school culture where students feel seen, supported, and empowered.

A key focus again this year is improving student attendance and engagement. We know that students thrive when they feel connected to school and look forward to each day. At Del Cerro, we are committed to creating a positive and inclusive environment where every child is excited to learn, grow, and belong.

For those new to our community, here’s a little about me: Before joining Del Cerro, I served as an Assistant Principal in Tustin Unified for six years and have over 20 years of experience in education, including roles as a classroom teacher and instructional coach. I grew up in Pico Rivera, attended UC Irvine, earned my teaching credential from Whittier College, and completed my Master’s in Education through Walden University.

My family keeps me busy and grounded. Our life is full of sports—volleyball, baseball, and softball—which means lots of cheering and chauffeuring to games and practices. We have kids in elementary, middle, and high school, so I fully understand the joys and challenges that come with each stage. My role as a parent helps me lead with empathy and forge meaningful relationships with our Dolphin families.

I’m confident this year will be full of growth, discovery, and connection for all of us. Let’s ride the WAVE together and make it another fantastic year to be a Dolphin!

With excitement,

Dawn Lam
Principal, Del Cerro Elementary