Paula Casperson is the new principal of Juneau-Douglas High School.
The Juneau School Board approved her hiring at its meeting Tuesday night.
Casperson is currently assistant principal, and was one of two finalists for the top job. A third candidate dropped out before the interview process.
According to a statement from the Juneau School District, Casperson has been assistant principal for the last nine years. She also worked as a high school social studies teacher for eight years in Alaska and California.
She has a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and a Masters in Education from Stanford University. She also completed an administrative program in Education Leadership at the University of Alaska Anchorage.
UAA awarded Casperson the 2012 William Demmert Leadership Award for significant contributions to the education of Alaska Native youth.
She replaces outgoing principal Ryan Alsup who has lined up another high school principal position in his home state of Colorado.
