Christine Zelaya

Principal

Dr. Zelaya has been principal at Holmes Elementary School since 2016. Prior to her arriving at Holmes, she has served as a principal, assistant principal, technology coordinator and a 5th grade teacher in other districts. Dr. Zelaya is a career changer and did not start out as a teacher. It was her involvement with her oldest son Julian’s education that inspired her to go back to school to obtain her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Science. From there, there was no looking back. She received her master’s Degree in Technology in Education, her Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership and finally her Doctoral Degree and superintendent endorsement in Educational Leadership. She attributes her boys’ struggles in school and having amazing role models throughout her career as her motivation to keep learning, growing, and improving.

 Her beliefs are rooted in continuous improvement and strives to motivate the entire Holmes community to dig just a bit deeper each year. She believes the foundation of a strong school community begins in establishing and maintaining relationships to ensure that every voice is heard and that students are engaged and have ownership over their own learning – yes, even at the elementary school level.

Dr. Zelaya has 3 children. Julian (29) who works as an EMT, Sebastian (25) a car enthusiast and mechanic, and Lily (22) who is a Register Nurse (RN) in the emergency room at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Chicago. Her and husband Juan, also have 2 dogs. Opie and Bear.