2023-2024
Intent to Enroll

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It is my honor to serve as the Executive Director of Hawking STEAM Charter Schools.

I love education and learning new things, and I am passionate about instilling this love of education among our students and the community we serve. I grew up in Los Angeles, a child of Mexican parents who immigrated to this country to give their children a better life. I was the first in my family to go to college, and I obtained my B.A. in Spanish Literature from UCSD (Go Tritons!) I obtained my teaching credential, M.A., administrative credential and my Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership at SDSU (Go Aztecs!)  

I joined the Hawking team in 2013 after a fulfilling teaching career that spanned fourteen years.  As a teacher, I was proud to have been selected as Teacher of the Year twice but even more proud of the academic growth I worked hard to achieve among my students each and every day. 

My passion for teaching and transforming children’s lives led me to becoming a principal and now the Executive Director of what I hope will become the best schools in the world, Hawking STEAM Charter Schools, two independent and direct-funded public charter schools.  

Our mission is to provide our students with a high quality and rigorous STEAM-focused education based on the latest Next Generation Science and Common Core State Standards.  Here at Hawking, we strive to make each day a happy and productive one. Our team of teachers and staff are committed to making our schools a wonderful, safe and highly academic place of teaching and learning with an extreme focus on science.  We know that children are naturally curious and we focus on tapping into this natural curiosity. 

Hawking opened its doors in 2012 with only 140 students, and we are now proud to have grown to serve more than 1000 students across two campuses.  

I welcome you to learn what Hawking is all about and I look forward to getting to know each of our families and students.

My name is Laura Carbajal and I am the Student Achievement and Programs Coordinator for Hawking STEAM Charter Schools. I am very excited to work with our amazing students, families, and teachers to grow and learn everyday. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Mathematics, as well as my teaching credential from San Diego State University. Then I obtained my Master's Degree in Best Teaching Practices from National University, and received my administrative credential again from San Diego State - Go Aztecs!

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I have been an educator for 16 years, the last seven at Hawking as a Classroom Teacher, Instructional Coach, Associate Principal, and the last 3 years as Principal at H2. It is here at Hawking that I have found my passion for teaching and learning while working with our passionate and talented teachers to integrate STEAM into every subject matter.

I love our community and what we do here. I am so proud to be working in the same community where I attended school as a child. I strive to provide our students with the learning experiences that will allow them to do their personal best academically and socially. I believe that if we all work together we can ensure that our students feel successful, and happy. I am looking forward to another amazing school year!