Cortina Elementary names Faith Orr as new principal

By Tom Blodgett
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Higley Unified School District has named Faith Orr as the new principal of Cortina Elementary School, bringing a veteran educator with more than two decades of experience into the leadership role.

The governing board approved Orr’s appointment this month, with district officials highlighting her background as both a teacher and administrator.

“She has served as a teacher in multiple grade levels, as a principal, and she’s currently serving as a principal in a neighboring district,” Assistant Superintendent Jeff Armstrong said. “So we’re super excited to have her come on over.”

Orr steps into the role with more than 20 years in education and experience across multiple positions, giving her a broad perspective on both classroom instruction and school leadership.

In brief remarks to the board, Orr emphasized her eagerness to join the district and connect with the Cortina community.

“It’s a delight and an honor to get to move over to the Higley Unified District and to serve your students, staff, family members, and community,” Orr said.

She said her initial focus will be building relationships with students, staff and families while immersing herself in the school’s culture.

“Something that I’m looking forward to is an opportunity to connect with families and students and staff,” she said. “So just looking forward to immersing myself in the community.”

Orr also pointed to what she sees as a strong foundation already in place at Cortina and across the district, particularly in how students and staff are recognized.

“Really speaks high volumes of what you value as important here in the school district,” she said.

Her leadership approach, she added, will center on student success and a commitment to giving her best to the role.

“I’m going to get on board and in light of student success and what’s best for kids I’m really looking forward to serving,” Orr said.

District leaders welcomed Orr’s appointment as part of a series of staffing updates approved at the meeting, expressing confidence in her ability to lead Cortina Elementary moving forward.

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Tom Blodgett
Senior News Editor | Gilbert

tblodgett@iniusa.org

Meet Tom
Tom Blodgett joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2022, when the company acquired Community Impact Newspaper's Phoenix-area properties. Raised in Arizona, he has spent more than 35 years in journalism in the state.

Community: He has served as an instructional professional in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication since 2005, and is editorial adviser to The State Press, the university's independent student media outlet. He also is director of operations for an 18U girls fastpitch softball team from Gilbert.

Education: Arizona State University with a BS in Journalism. 

Random Fact: He lived in Belgium during his freshman year of high school.  

Hobbies: Tweeting enthusiastically about ASU softball (season-ticket holder) and grumpily about other local sports (pessimistic fan).