We are pleased to introduce Craig Christensen, Principal, Lincoln Elementary School!
Craig Christensen earned his Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts, K-6, and Special Education from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, his Master of Arts in Middle School Education from California State University, San Bernardino and his Preliminary Administrative Services Credential from the Riverside County Office of Education.
Mr. Christensen began his professional career in 1997 teaching a first & second grade combination class at Palm Springs Unified. In 2000, he joined the DSUSD family as a second grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School. In 2006, he felt a desire for professional growth and made the daring decision to transfer from elementary to middle school. From 2006 until 2009, he taught sixth grade math and science at Paige Middle School. In 2009, he was hired by Dr. Dan Borgen as the Dean of Students at Desert Ridge Academy. It was there that Dr. Borgen began mentoring him on administrative responsibilities and helped him find a purpose in his role in education. In 2016, he moved to La Quinta Middle School to serve as an Instructional Coach. In 2018, he was promoted to Assistant Principal. And now, after 22 years, he is going back to where he began at Lincoln Elementary School as the proud principal.
Mr. Christensen was the Palm Springs Unified New Teacher of the Year for the 1997-98 school year, Lincoln Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year for the 2002-03 school year, Paige Middle School’s Teacher of the Year for the 2007-08 school year, Desert Ridge Academy’s Teacher of the Year for the 2009-10 school year, and he received the City of Indio Police: Chief’s Commendation in 2016.
Mr. Christensen states that he bleeds Green and Gold for the Green Bay Packers. He has not missed a game since the mid-90’s. Go Pack Go! He also enjoys going to Big Bear on weekends to walk the trails with his dogs. He also loves going to Florence, Oregon every summer to hike, fish, crab, and let his dogs run on the beach.
Mr. Christensen wants to acknowledge his wife, Tammy, first and foremost for 24 years of support and patience. He also wants to thank his children, Taylen, Clayton, Malia, and his dogs, Jasper and Sadie, for sharing “Mr. C” with the DSUSD family. He wants to personally thank every student, parent, and staff member who he has had the privilege to work with throughout the years. Finally, he would like to thank Dr. Borgen, Dr. Daniel Martinez, Security Agent Manuel Torres, Mrs. Karen Flaherty, and Mrs. Maria Tamias who have all made an impact on his life that words cannot express.
We are excited to have Mr. Christensen leading Lincoln Elementary School!
