Christen Gonzalez, Ed.D.

Area Superintendent, Area 1

Dr. Christen Gonzalez has served as Area 1 Superintendent for Pinellas County Schools since January 2021. A dedicated educator and experienced instructional leader, she has spent nearly three decades serving students through teaching, school leadership and district administration. 

Dr. Gonzalez began her career with Pinellas County Schools in 1996 as a physical education teacher at Southern Oak Elementary School before moving to Fairmount Park Elementary School. During her years in the classroom, she served as a department chair and member of each school's School Improvement Team while earning a Master of Education in Physical Education from Florida State University 

In 2003, Dr. Gonzalez transitioned into school leadership as assistant principal at Fairmount Park Elementary before becoming Assistant Principal of Curriculum at Gibbs High School. There, she oversaw two magnet program master schedules, helped establish a high school internship program with Pinellas Technical College–St. Petersburg, supported new teachers and managed school operations.  

She later served as Assistant Principal of Curriculum at Palm Harbor University High School before being named principal there in 2010. 

As Area 1 Superintendent, Dr. Gonzalez works collaboratively with school leaders to strengthen instructional practices, support student achievement and foster a culture of continuous improvement across the schools she serves. 

Dr. Gonzalez earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in Physical Education from Troy State University and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of South Florida. 

Her roots run deep in Pinellas County Schools. Both of her grandmothers were district teachers, and Fuguitt Elementary School is named in honor of her great-great-uncle, Greene V. Fuguitt, a former Pinellas County Schools superintendent.