Dear Sahuaro Eagles,

Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year! It is my honor and privilege to serve the Sahuaro Community as Principal of Sahuaro Elementary School. This will be my second year at Sahuaro, and I am looking forward to a great year with our staff and students! 

This is my 21st year in education, and my 16th year in the Washington Elementary School District. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from University of Phoenix and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University. I hold Arizona educator credentials for Principal, Supervisor, and 1st-8th Grade Elementary Teacher, including endorsements in Early Childhood (Birth-Age 8), K-12 Reading Specialist, and K-12 Structured English Immersion.

I began my teaching career at the Union Elementary School District in south Phoenix, where I taught 3rd-8th grade and worked in the district office as the Federal Programs Director. I transitioned to WESD in 2007, where I served as Program Coach at Lakeview Elementary for 5 years, Instructional Coach at Lookout Mountain Elementary for 7 years, and Assistant Principal at Lookout Mountain Elementary for 2 years.   

I am a native of Phoenix, Arizona, and a proud former student of WESD, including Sweetwater Elementary and Desert Foothills Junior High. I grew up just a couple of miles away from the Sahuaro campus, and graduated from Moon Valley High School. I have been married for 27 years to my husband, Cesar, and I am a proud mom to three awesome kids, Nathanael (22), Benjamin (19), and Naomi (16). In my free time, I love to travel, hike, kayak, eat out, watch TV, play board games, and go to the movies. I also adore spending time with my sweet 10-year-old Chiweenie, Molly, and my 8-year-old rescue Chihuahua, Lil’ Mama.

My staff and I are dedicated to guiding and supporting each and every Sahuaro student toward achieving excellence. We are also committed to ensuring that our students have a positive experience at Sahuaro where they can grow socially, emotionally, and academically.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if there is anything I can do to support your family.

Sincerely,
Crystal Bustamante
Principal, Sahuaro Elementary School