Chris Nelson grew up in Southern California and earned his B.A in Psychology with an Education Studies Minor at UCLA. He went on to earn his teaching credential, administrative certificate and Master’s Degree from Cal State Long Beach. Mr. Nelson has taught multiple grades, has been the assistant principal of curriculum and technology for St. Monica Catholic Elementary School in Santa Monica and was a principal for the Diocese of Sacramento for seven years. In addition to being principal, Mr. Nelson has been a professor for Master’s/Credential teacher candidates at the University of San Francisco’s Sacramento Campus. In Mr. Nelson’s favorite book, Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court, Coach Wooden teaches that industriousness and enthusiasm are the cornerstones of the pyramid of success. This “work hard and love every minute of it” mentality is a something that Mr. Nelson tries to embody as he strives to be a leader and role model both for students and for the community that surrounds and supports them.

Mr. Nelson moved to Shasta County with his wife and three children and he has been enjoying the outdoor recreation opportunities that come with living in the Northstate area. He feels honored to join the Junction School community here in Palo Cedro and to be part of a team that is committed to creating a family environment for students to grow up in, well-prepared for high school and beyond.