Bohannon Middle School Principal Retires After 38 Years of Service

After a career as an educator which spanned nearly four decades, principal will be retiring by the end of this school year.

Gail Yothers spoke with Castro Valley Patch about her educational career, starting from when she served as a high school teacher and school counselor for 22 years before becoming an assistant principal and then eventually principal.

Yothers was born and raised in from a rural area in Orange County.

“We sometimes had barbecues at the beach and enjoyed riding horses and playing in the orange and avocado groves,” Yothers recalled. 

Her path towards teaching was triggered by the amazing teachers she had growing up.

“I chose to be a teacher because I was inspired by the teachers I had in school,” Yothers said.  “I was confident I could make a real difference in Children’s lives."

Yothers has been at Bohannon for seven years. Prior to that, she worked in the Office in educational services and was also the principal at .

She attained her undergraduate degree from California Polytechnic University, Pomona and a masters degree from Cal State Long Beach. Yothers also took further graduate studies at the University of LaVerne; she took her administrative credential program at Cal State Fullerton and Western University and attended culinary school at Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island.

Yothers said the school has gone through man challenges but she has done her best to make a “positive impact on the students and staff." Bohannon Middle School serves 975 students ranging from sixth through eighth grade.

“We have transformed our school and continue to move forward and upward,” Yothers said. “I am proud of our students and their success in high school and college.”

Yothers said she acknowledges the difficulty the budget crisis has put on students and teachers and encourages the community to fight for school funding.

“Currently we are facing a challenging time for school funding. It is critical that we provide the financial support that schools desperately need,” Yothers said. “As a community we are obligated to provide the funds that are required for students to reach their full potential in safe, clean, and healthy schools.”

She also recommends parents be proactive in their child’s education. 

“Be in close communication with teachers and provide a supportive learning environment at home,” Yothers stressed. “Students in middle grades try hard to convince their parents they are independent, however, they truly need you during this confusing time of their lives.”

What’s next for Yothers? She is still unsure.

“I actually don’t have definitive plans at this point,” Yothers said. “In many ways, it is exciting to have a world of options available.”

The school has not yet hired a replacement. Yothers' last day with students will be on June 7.

Yothers expressed gratitude to the San Lorenzo community after working in the district for so long.

“Thank you for trusting Bohannon Middle School with your children. I am honored and privileged to have served as your principal at Bay and Bohannon and sincerely thank you for the opportunity to be part a part of the San Lorenzo community."