Cristin Caruso to become new Normandale Hills ES Principal

Cristin Caruso will become the new principal of Normandale Hills Elementary School, effective July 1. Caruso is replacing Dr. Andrew Vollmuth, who is leaving after 16 years to become the new superintendent of New Prague Area Schools.

Caruso is currently serving as the district’s Director of Digital Learning and Data. Caruso began her career with Bloomington Public Schools in 2004 as a teacher at Poplar Bridge Elementary School (2004-12), followed that as a Q-comp peer coach (2012-18), teacher at Westwood Elementary School (2018-19), and district technology integrationist at Normandale Hills and Westwood (2019-22). She also served as the Summer Quest principal and dean last year.

Caruso has facilitated or served on a number of district committees, including Leadership Academy, Professional Development Steering Committee, District Learning Supports and Instructional teams, Student Centered and Design Thinking Cohort, and Professional Learning Community (PLC) facilitator.

“Cristin possesses the qualifications, leadership skills and familiarity of our district to lead Normandale Hills Elementary School and its dedicated teachers and support staff,” said Dr. Jenna Mitchler, assistant superintendent. 

Caruso holds an elementary education and English undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Master of Arts in Education from Hamline University, and an educational leadership specialist degree from Minnesota State University - Mankato.