It’s been a long journey but the William S. Hart Union High School District’s newest Superintendent, Vicki Engbrecht, says she’s ready to take on the role.

Engbrecht, a 39-year Hart District veteran, began her career as a teacher, followed by principal of Canyon High School.

“You know, I wanted to be a teacher from the time of was 6 or 7-years-old,” Engbrecht said with a laugh and a smile. “I had a little wooden playhouse out in our backyard and I would recruit all the neighborhood kids to come in while I taught them and pretended I was their teacher.”

Engbrecht also served as the Director of Curriculum and Assessment, Assistant Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent before taking on the Superintendent role in February 2015.

With Common Core standards, alternative education programs, reduced lunches program and more, Engbrecht hopes to “make sure every single student has access to all that (the Hart District) has to offer and make every student the best that they can be.”

“After a couple years of transitioning to Common Core, the 2015-16 school year is going to be the full implementation year and we’re really exciting about it,” she said. “A couple years ago, there was some anxiety. The curriculum looked different, but I can honestly say we are excited in being able to deliver a curriculum that’s going to better prepare students not only for college, but for the world of careers.”

Common Core, which is a research and evidence based curriculum aims to facilitate clear, understandable and consistent learning aligned with college and career expectations that is based on rigorous content and the application of knowledge through higher-order thinking skills, according to the website. The standards are built upon the strengths and lessons of current state standards and informed by other top-performing countries to prepare all students for success in our global economy and society.

The Hart District added 4,000 devices to classrooms last year. The junior high school students have almost reached a one-to-one ratio of Chromebooks to students.

The school district is also working to build performing arts centers at both Saugus High School and Canyon High School. Hart High School and and Sierra Vista Junior High School are both receiving modernizations.

It’s been a long journey but the William S. Hart Union High School District’s newest Superintendent, Vicki Engbrecht, says she’s ready to take on the role.

When Engbrecht isn’t at the Hart District office or visiting the various schools, she is staying active.

“I like going to the gym, love skiing, love being near the water, any kind of watersports, love reading although I don’t get as much time to do it as I want,” she said. “I like cooking when I have the time.”

Engbrecht has lived in the Santa Clarita Valley for about 45 years with her husband, George and raised two sons, both graduates of Canyon High School, who now live in San Diego.

“My goal for our staff, all of our students, is not just to do things in a way that meets the needs of the majority of kids but to make sure nobody’s falling through the cracks,” Engbrecht said,”To find some way to reach each and every student and get them hooked in so they can maximize their potential after high school.”