Christen Gonzalez, Ed.D.
Area Superintendent, Area 1
Dr. Christen T. Gonzalez graduated from Troy State University in Troy, Alabama in May 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Education: Physical Education. That fall, she started her professional teaching career as a physical education teacher at the district’s Southern Oak Elementary School. During her three-year stint at Southern Oak, Dr. Gonzalez served on the School Improvement Team and was a department chair. In 2000, Dr. Gonzalez moved to Fairmount Park Elementary School where she taught physical education for three years. She was also on the School Improvement Team and a department chair. During that time, Dr. Gonzalez earned a Master of Education: Physical Education from Florida State University (2000).
In 2003, Dr. Gonzalez transitioned from the classroom and became an assistant principal for a year at Fairmount Park Elementary. The following year, she moved from working with elementary to high school students and became the Assistant Principal of Curriculum at Gibbs High School. At Gibbs High School, Dr. Gonzalez built and managed the master schedule for two magnet programs, worked with Pinellas Technical College – St. Petersburg to implement an internship program for high school students, evaluated and supported all new teachers and managed the school’s facilities and plant operations.
After two years at Gibbs High School, Dr. Gonzalez was named the Assistant Principal of Curriculum at Palm Harbor University High School, and in 2010 Dr. Gonzalez was appointed the principal of Palm Harbor University High.
In 2015, she earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of South Florida in Tampa.
Dr. Gonzalez was named Area 1 Superintendent in January 2021.
Dr. Gonzalez’s roots run deep in Pinellas County Schools. She attended kindergarten at Skycrest Elementary and graduated from Dunedin High School where she played basketball, softball and volleyball. Both her grandmothers were teachers in the district and Fuguitt Elementary School is named after her great-great uncle Greene V. Fuguitt who was a Pinellas County Schools superintendent.
Professional Honors and Accomplishments:
- New Leaders Program, 2019
- PHUHS Presented at Project Lead the Way Summit, Nov. 2019
- Brian Dassler Leadership Academy, 2018
- Chairman of the Board, Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce, 2015-2016