Administrative Office

At Creekside our Teachers and Staff are committed to providing a safe, stable and nurturing academic environment where every student has the opportunity to persevere & reach their potential. We will provide opportunities for ongoing growth both academically & socially, for our students & ourselves.

Hello Creekside Panthers

It is my pleasure to join the outstanding educational community of Patterson Joint Unified School District. I am embarking on my 24th year as an educator, and 11th year as a principal. Prior to becoming principal, I had many leadership experiences including teaching at-promise students as well as teaching students in the International Baccalaureate program. I also have had the opportunity to serve as assistant principal of two large comprehensive high schools. I have been fortunate to serve as principal of a supportive and focused alternative school as well as a large comprehensive high school with AVID national demonstration status. In addition to these opportunities, I have previously served in a leadership role in the Student Support Services department as well as served as the district COVID coordinator during the pandemic. These experiences have all reaffirmed my passion and dedication to supporting students and families throughout their educational journey.

 
My educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in History from California State University Stanislaus and Masters of Education degree from National University. By pursuing lifelong learning, I hope to be an example to students, teachers, and staff that we should never stop learning. It is my privilege to lead Creekside Middle School and the many talented students, teachers, and staff. My goal is to continue to provide a supportive climate and culture at Creekside that is conducive to teaching and learning. By doing so, each individual student and teacher can experience growth to their highest potential.

 
My educational experiences have afforded me the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of people to meet the common goal of increasing student achievement and well-being. My educational philosophy is based on my uncompromising belief that all students can learn at high levels, given a positive learning environment, strong and knowledgeable leadership, a committed and focused educational team, an encouraging community, and a supportive family.
I look forward to interacting and collaborating with all stakeholders in our school community!

Kind Regards,
Chris Anderson

Hello CMS Families!

Welcome to the 2024-2025 School Year! I look forward to welcoming our students and supporting their educational journeys as the school year begins. I am proud to be a part of the Creekside community where staff, students, and families collaborate to build a culture of excellence, equity, and responsibility for all.

I started my journey in education at San Francisco State University. After graduating in 2009, my husband and I moved our three children to Patterson. I quickly became involved as a parent and soon landed a position with the after school program at Apricot Valley Elementary. It was then I decided to take the plunge and enroll at CSU Stanislaus to work towards my teaching credential.

While in the program I worked as a substitute teacher here in our district. Once I obtained my teaching credential I was offered a position with Turlock Unified School District. I was only there for a year and I realized that PJUSD had my heart and I quickly returned to Creekside to teach sixth grade. I haven't looked back since!

After earning my Master's in Education and Administrative credential through CSU Stanislaus, I was hired as the Assistant Principal of Student Services. I am happy to be able to support our Panther Family through my new role. All three of my children attended Apricot Valley, Creekside, and Patterson High School. I am a proud member of our local community and so happy to continue working with the students of our town.

Have a wonderful year Panthers!!

𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓻𝓮𝓷𝓪 𝓖𝓾𝓪𝓻𝓭𝓪𝓭𝓸
Assistant Principal 

Welcome to Creekside! 

I look forward to welcoming your student(s) and supporting them as they continue their educational journey. At Creekside we are committed to providing a safe and rigorous academic environment where every student has the opportunity to persevere and reach their fullest potential. 

While I am originally from Washington and my educational journey began there, California has been very much a part of that journey. I completed my B.A. in Social Sciences from Simpson University in Redding, California. In order to continue my professional development and add an English Credential, I also attended Azusa Pacific University, UCLA Extension, and U.C. Riverside. Most recently, I completed my M.A. in School Administration from C.S.U. Stanislaus. 

My professional educational journey has been an unexpected, but joyful one. While I began substituting in southern California, my first full time teaching job began overseas. I taught at an American International School in Bangkok, Thailand. While there, I had the opportunity and privilege to work with students from around the world for five years . In 2018, I decided to return back to the United States and was given the opportunity to teach at Creekside Middle School in Patterson, California. Since then, I have been blessed in working with the staff and students of Creekside and I am thankful for the opportunity to serve them as an assistant principal. 

As assistant principal, my goal is to partner with our staff and community to provide the best educational experience for our students. Additionally, as someone who has worked in several different countries, I believe it is vital to provide our students with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate an ever transforming environment in which our students will compete with the international world. 

I look forward to serving our staff and community, 

Aaron Howard

Assistant Principal