Meet the Principal
Becky Estrada, Principal
Becky Estrada is honored to serve as the principal at South Junior High School. She has over 26 years of experience in educational leadership working with elementary, middle, high school and alternative school students and families. She began her career as an English Language coordinator and served as a high school counselor for 16 years. She has also served as middle school dean of students, high school assistant principal, elementary assistant principal and principal as well as a varsity cross country coach. Becky is very passionate about being a leader in District 742 because of her strong connections to St. Cloud’s students and families. Becky attended graduate school at SCSU and has nieces and nephews in the school district as well as family who live and work here.
Becky has a strong commitment and passion for educational equity and relationship building. Providing opportunities for teachers, students and communities to connect and building deeper capacity for learning is her priority!
Shara Stone, Assistant Principal
Ms. Stone is thrilled to continue her journey with the South community as an assistant principal for the 2024-25 school year. Entering her third year in this role, Stone brings with her a wealth of experience, having dedicated 22 years to South in various capacities. Her longstanding commitment to the school is driven by a passion for fostering student success across academic, social and emotional domains, all while upholding South's core values of Accountability, Respect, and Empathy.
Stone finds her greatest joy in the meaningful relationships she has cultivated with students and families throughout her tenure. She eagerly anticipates furthering these positive and collaborative partnerships to address the unique needs of each student. Her approach centers on creating a supportive and inclusive environment where every student can thrive.
With a steadfast dedication to the South community, Stone is excited to continue her work in nurturing a dynamic and respectful learning atmosphere. Go Tigers!
Jack Peterson, Assistant Principal
South is excited to welcome Jack Peterson as our new Assistant Principal! With over 20 years of experience in education, Peterson brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership and a deep commitment to student growth and success.
Peterson is entering his 21st year in education. He began his career as a special education teacher, a role he held for over 14 years, where he was known for his dedication to inclusive practices and building strong relationships with students and families. His passion for supporting the whole child led him to serve as a social emotional learning (SEL) coordinator for 1 year, where he helped implement programs that fostered emotional well-being and a positive school climate.
For the past four and half years, Peterson has served as a special education supervisor, providing leadership and support to educators and ensuring high-quality services for students with diverse learning needs.
Throughout his career, Peterson has been recognized for his collaborative leadership style, student-centered approach and unwavering belief in the potential of every learner. As assistant principal, he is eager to partner with students, staff and families to create a school environment where everyone feels valued, supported and empowered to succeed.