1st Day of School: Thursday, August 22nd

June 17, 2019

CONTACT: 

Gail Pinsker 

310.450.8338, ext. 70230 

2019gpinsker@smmusd.org

SMMUSD Announces New Webster Elementary School Principal

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education approved the appointment of Lila Daruty as the new principal of Webster Elementary School in Malibu at its June 6, 2019 special board meeting. Her appointment is effective July 1, 2019.

Daruty has served as the half time assistant principal at Grant Elementary School in Santa Monica since 2014 and the half time coordinator of beginning teacher induction (BTSA) for the school district since 2013.

In her assistant principal position Daruty was involved in all administrative functions including teacher evaluations and mentoring, parent and family engagement, enrollment, attendance, discipline, curriculum, testing, general and special education, building community partnerships, working with PTA, conducting parent workshops and building and developing school culture.

As the BTSA coordinator, she supervised and trained new teachers and provided additional professional development and support for current teachers as part of a statewide program.

Prior to these leadership positions, Daruty taught at Will Rogers Learning Community and McKinley Elementary School in Santa Monica since 2004. She taught for six years prior in the Hawthorne School District. She has taught second, third, fourth and fifth grades. As a teacher, she was honored as teacher of the year and rookie of the year in the Hawthorne USD. She previously served as PTA president and also worked on school budgets, participated in school site council and is known for working to improve class and school environments by encouraging and creating positive school culture and opportunities for all students.

“I am so honored and excited about the opportunity to be principal of Webster Elementary,” Daruty said.  I look forward to working with the students, teachers and families that make up this beautiful community in Malibu. I am committed to bringing my love for learning and dedication to supporting the academic and social-emotional needs of all students. I know that through collaborative efforts we will continue to ensure Webster students become the creative and critical thinking innovators of our future.”

Daruty holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and cross-cultural language and academic development (CLAD) / multiple subject teaching credential from Loyola Marymount University; amaster’s degree in education / tier 1 credential from UCLA and completed the Principals Leadership Institute there. She earned an administrative tier 2 credential from UC Irvine.

“Lila will be a valuable addition to our Malibu leadership team” Superintendent Dr. Ben Drati said. “Wecongratulate her on her new position!”  Daruty replaces Patrick Miller, who will take the helm of Malibu High School as principal starting July 1, 2019.  As previously announced, Christopher Hertz will be the new Malibu Elementary School principal, also starting July 1st.