Dr. Karina Gerger to become next year’s Mira Costa principal

Dr. Karina Gerger is set to become next year’s Mira Costa High School Principal. Gerger joined the Manhattan Beach Unified School District in 2004, and has been principal of Pennekamp Elementary for 4 years. Photo courtesy of MBUSD.

By Sofia Williams

News Editor

Dr. Karina Gerger will replace Dr. Ben Dale to become the Mira Costa High School principal, as was announced by MBUSD in Tuesday’s district-wide press release.

Gerger has been Pennekamp Elementary’s principal for the past four years, and has served as assistant principal for both Manhattan Beach Middle School and Mira Costa High School. Before taking on administrative duties, Gerger joined the district in 2004 as an English Language coordinator, taught fifth grade at Pacific Elementary, and later became a district teacher of 21st century teaching and learning.

“We are absolutely thrilled to recommend Dr. Gerger as the next principal of Mira Costa High School,” MBUSD Superintendent Dr. Mike Matthews said in a statement. “I have worked closely with Dr. Gerger since 2010, and I am confident she is the right person for the job.”

Gerger was confirmed Principal last night at the MBUSD board meeting after emerging as the top candidate from a paper screening and panel interview led by teachers, employees, students, and parents. According to Gerger, she is honored to return to Mira Costa High School as its official principal.

“It is an absolute honor to be selected as the next Mira Costa High School principal and to follow Dr. Ben Dale who has given his all to Costa for the last 11 years,” Gerger said in a statement to the Daily Breeze. “Pennekamp Elementary has been my heart and soul for the last four years and I will truly miss the incredible students, staff and community who have been a part of that journey.”