The Manhattan Beach Unified School District has named Katie Cavallaro the new principal at Robinson Elementary, to begin serving in the 2024-2025 school year. 

Cavallaro is currently a vice principal at Manhattan Beach Middle School, where she has served for three years. At Robinson, she will replace Jackie O'Sullivan, who was recently appointed to serve as MBUSD's director of early learning. 

Cavallaro is in her 15th year in MBUSD. In her current position, she oversees 6th and 7th grades and leads various departments. Before joining MBMS, Katie was an elementary orchestra teacher at all five MBUSD elementary schools.

“I am thrilled to be returning to my elementary roots, where I have spent the majority of my career, and I am proud to be rejoining the Robinson Riptide community," said Cavallaro in a statement.

Prior to joining the music faculty in Manhattan Beach, Cavallaro held a similar teaching position as an elementary strings teacher in the Santa Monica-Malibu school district. A native of upstate New York, Cavallaro pursued studies in violin performance and music education at Ithaca College, earning a bachelor's and master's degree, both with high honors. In her spare time, she is passionate about long-distance running and she is a familiar face at local races.

Cavallaro will work closely with O'Sullivan during the transition period, according to MBUSD.