Principal Jody Gardner Milbourn

Welcome to New River Elementary, where every student shines and every voice matters.

I am proud to serve as principal of this collaborative and dedicated school community. I have spent 27 years in the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District and am currently in my seventh year in administration. This is my 32nd year in education, with 20 of those years spent as a classroom teacher and 4 years as district instructional coaching before moving into school leadership.

My journey in education began when I was just five years old, inspired by my own kindergarten teacher who made me feel loved and excited to learn. That experience shaped my purpose: to ensure every student feels cared for and has access to a variety of fun, engaging learning opportunities that spark curiosity and joy.

I am also a proud wife, mother of four, and grandmother to four wonderful grandchildren. I enjoy traveling to visit family, singing in the car, dancing, hiking, playing card games, and trying new restaurants. These experiences keep me grounded and bring joy to my everyday life.

My background as a literacy coach and district PBIS coach has helped shape my belief that it truly takes a village to raise a child. I am grateful that you have chosen New River to be part of your village.

At New River, we believe that strong collaboration between home and school is essential to student success. We are committed to developing critical thinkers through meaningful conversations in reading, writing, and math. We are proud of our academic growth, as shown by our rising SBAC scores, and equally proud of our progress in supporting behavioral and mental health needs through our PBIS tiered systems of support. Every classroom and common area on campus includes a calming corner to help students self-regulate and return to learning ready to succeed.

Our efforts have been recognized with a California PBIS Gold Award for our strong implementation of school-wide tiered behavioral supports. This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, positive, and inclusive environment for every student.

We welcome families to take part in our school community by volunteering in classrooms, attending events, or joining our PTO. Your involvement makes a lasting impact. Together, we are creating a positive and enriching environment for every New River Knight.

Warmly,

Mrs. Jody Gardner Milbourn
Principal, New River Elementary