Happy Valley Union Elementary School District

Mrs. Maki is starting her 19th year in education as principal of Happy Valley Primary School. After graduating from Humboldt State University and receiving her teaching credential, she began her teaching career in Southern California where she taught all subjects in grades 4-6. She has been an intervention teacher for 4th and 5th graders in Lake County, California and then moved to the North State where she taught 5th grade and kindergarten in Red Bluff for several years. She is currently working on receiving her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from National University.

For the past five years Mrs. Maki has been at Happy Valley Primary School where she was a kindergarten teacher, an instructional coach, and then assistant principal for the past year. She has been a mentor to new teachers and student teachers enrolled in teacher preparation programs in Shasta County. She has led the implementation for new programs and best practices for teaching and learning which include Universal Design for Learning, professional collaboration through Continuous Improvement Science, and the Science of Reading. These years were very formative in her growth as an educator and have provided a solid foundation for quality leadership in elementary education.  

Mrs. Maki and the staff of Happy Valley Primary are focused on creating an environment where all students can be successful and feel a sense of belonging. She believes in building positive relationships with students, families, and staff so that they enjoy coming to school each and every day. Mrs. Maki enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters. She is an avid reader, enjoys raising chickens, gardening, bass fishing, camping, and off-roading with family and friends.