Palo Alto High School’s new assistant principal, Rebecca Shen-Lorenson, aims to support students and learn about campus dynamics this school year after replacing previous assistant principal Erik Olah.
Shen-Lorenson was an assistant principal at Gunn last year, and switched positions with Olah for this school year. As she adjusts to Paly, Shen-Lorenson is dedicating much of her time to working closely with counselors and students and ensuring every student’s needs are met.
“I’m working with our counselors to accommodate as many students as we can, and to get their schedules and courses to meet their needs,” Shen-Lorenson said.
Before becoming an assistant principal, Shen-Lorenson was an elementary school teacher and worked as an English learner specialist. According to Shen-Lorenson, she was impressed by the vast opportunities the school provided for the students.
“When I worked here a few years ago, I really saw some really amazing things happening on campus,” Shen-Lorenson said. “There’s so many different programs, like the journalism publications that you all have here. That’s an opportunity I don’t see at most schools, which is really neat.”
Alongside the administrative tasks required of her role, Shen-Lorenson said she is finding joy in building relationships with students and understanding their circumstances.
“My favorite part of the day is when I’m walking around campus and seeing students and being able to interact with them and having small conversations, or even going into classrooms and watching,” Shen-Lorenson said.
After transferring to Paly for the new school year, Shen-Lorenson is taking the time to familiarize herself with the Paly campus while finding ways to improve student life.
“Because I’m new, I’m just walking around, observing, and just taking in everything that’s happening,” Shen-Lorenson said. “I see a lot of good things happening, and as I go on to the campus throughout the year, maybe I’ll see different things that I might want to improve on.”
According to Olah, Shen-Lorenson is a great addition to Paly’s administrative team and will fit well with the school’s atmosphere.
“She’s got a lot of energy, different energy than I have, and she’s a lot more prepped than I am with a lot of things, which is probably good, but she’ll be great,” Olah said. “My advice for her is the same advice I’ve been giving myself: at a new school, sit back and learn what you can as quickly as you can.”
Olah said the administrative team will be strong and ready to serve the students whenever they reach out.
“The rest of the team is staying, so she’s going to be brought into a really good team with a lot of experience,” Olah said. “You can pick any assistant principal or [Principal] Mr. [Brent] Kline and ask questions. They’re going to help you out and support you.”
