Father Paw Lwin, pastor at St. Pius V, has announced that Dr. Joan Bravo has been selected as the school’s new principal. A selection committee comprised of a principal from the diocese, a member of the parish’s finance committee, parents, a teacher and the associate superintendent made the selection in consultation with the vicar general and with the blessing of Bishop Kevin Vann.
Dr. Bravo has worked in all levels of education, especially in the areas of K-8 education. As a teacher, she taught math, music and the sciences. As a categorical programs specialist, she worked to meet the needs of students from over 65 countries and cultures.
She served as assistant principal at Torrance High School and principal at Buena Park Junior High. She became the principal of Our Lady of Refuge School in Long Beach and then worked the last three years with St. Pius School helping to restructure the junior high program, while teaching math and science.
Dr. Bravo earned her B.S. degree from UC Santa Barbara and her teaching credential from Mount St. Mary’s College. Her administrative credentials, masters and doctorate degrees were earned at Pepperdine University.