Leslie Harden, principal of Park Dale Lane School, has been selected as the Encinitas Administrator of the Year. Ms. Harden began her career as a teacher 1980 for Santee School District where she taught grades 1-8. During her years in the Santee School District, she also served as assistant principal, vice principal, and principal. In the spring of 1995, Ms. Harden was selected as principal of Park Dale Lane School.

Ms. Harden has served in a variety of capacities in the Encinitas Union School District. She has been a member of the mentor teacher selection committee and the certificated evaluation committee. She has been co-chair of the language arts instructional improvement committee. She has been the principal representative on the District strategic planning committee. She continues to be active member of the District COE negotiating team.

Ms. Harden completed the Principal's Executive Program at UCSD in 1999. She is a Senior Associate for the California Schools Leadership Academy. She is a Trainer of Trainers for Program Quality Review. Under her leadership, Park Dale Lane School was selected as a California Distinguished School in 1998.