PVUSD Welcomes New School Administrators

From PVUSD: Pajaro Valley Unified School District is committing to hiring leaders who will ensure student achievement continues to be the primary focus in all instruction, services and programs. The District is pleased to introduce the following team of site and district office administrators. These administrators, with the exception of the two in the Child Development Department added to ensure the needs of our students are met, are filling vacated positions.

Site Leadership:

Mayra Fernandez will continue to serve the community of Hall District Elementary now as a Principal. The relationships that Ms. Fernandez has established as the Coordinator of Academics and Instruction with families, staff, and students at this school will be valuable as she seamlessly continues the excellent work at Hall District. Ms. Fernandez has two Master Degrees, one in teaching from Bethany University and the second in educational administration from Santa Clara University. Her experience includes monitoring student progress, coordinating assessments, supporting staff, facilitating parent meetings and providing professional development for staff. The Hall District community is thrilled to have Ms. Fernandez in this new role. Jennifer (Brooke) Hofkins will be welcomed to HA Hyde as Principal this new school year. Most recently, Ms. Hofkins has served as Academic Coordinator at Radcliff elementary where she was responsible for academics and accountability systems. She holds a Masters in Educational Leadership and an Administrative Services Credential from San Jose SU, a teaching credential from UCSC, and a BA in Child Development from San Jose SU. She has been with PVUSD since becoming a teacher in 1999. The Hyde community will continue to thrive under Ms. Hofkins’ leadership.

Rafael Ramirez II will serve as Principal of New School. He is committed to PVUSD students and has been serving this community since 2011. Most recently, Mr. Ramirez II served as principal at Alianza Charter School and prior to that he was an assistant principal at EA Hall Middle School. He has a strong background in educational leadership and has worked closely with parent groups, site and district administration to ensure effective systems. Mr. Ramirez II has a Master in Education Administration from San Jose SU, a second Master in Education and a BA in Phycology from UCSC; he began his career in education in 2001 as an elementary teacher. New School students will greatly benefit from Mr. Ramirez II’s commitment.

PAJARO VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

MISSION STATEMENT

The Mission of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District is to educate and to support learners in reaching their
highest potential. We prepare students to pursue successful futures and to make positive contributions to the community and global society.

Andrew Singleton will serve students of PVUSD as Interim Principal for Pacific Coast Charter School. Mr. Singleton began his teaching career at PVUSD in 2001 as a Health Teacher at Aptos High for one year. He continued his teaching career in Arizona, promoting to Assistant Director in Administration in 2003 and to Principal in 2005. Mr. Singleton returned to our District in 2014 to serve as Principal of Renaissance High School where he promoted a culture of academic and personal excellence. PVUSD is pleased that he will continue as Principal and serve the PCCS community. Veronica Aguilar will be welcoming back Alianza Charter students and families as Principal. Ms. Veronica Aguilar has been part of the PVUSD family since 2005. She has served as Summer School Coach, Head Summer School Principal, Migrant Education Supplemental Teacher (MEST), and Teacher at Alianza Charter where she is currently the Assistant Principal. Veronica has a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from San Jose State, received her teaching credential from Bethany College and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from UC Santa Cruz.

Josh Philips is the new Assistant Principal of Aptos Jr High School. Mr. Philips’ experience began as a teacher in 2005 and has most recently served as an Assistant Principal in a demographically similar district. He has experience in parent outreach, in student discipline, testing, and teacher evaluation in diverse urban settings. He has a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Cal State, Northridge, a California Credential and a BA from UC Santa Barbara. Mr. Philips looks forward to fostering positive school to community relationships. Laura Smith is the new Academic Coordinator at Mar Vista Elementary School. She has over 14 years of experience as a bilingual teacher and has a Masters of Education from National University. Most recently and since 2016, Ms. Smith has served as a teacher at Radcliff Elementary, using her skills to increase parent involvement and student achievement. She has been an active contributor in the Curriculum Council, Site Council meetings, and in lesson planning. Ms. Smith’s experiences in instruction and community building systems are valuable in her new role at Mar Vista.

Charles Campbell is welcomed by Watsonville High School team as Assistant Principal. He is currently a middle school assistant principal at Somerset Middle School in Monterey and served in a similar capacity at Rancho San Justo in Hollister. Mr. Campbell taught elementary grades in Iowa, Alaska and Peru (south America ). He taught AP Biology and Physical Science in Kansas. Charles has experience supporting a variety of district initiatives such as Coach for Success. He has a Master’s Degree in International School Administration and Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences.

District Leadership:

Michael Berman is the new Director of Equity in the Education Services Department. He received his master’s degree in Education Administration from San Jose State University and his BA in psychology from UCSC. Mr. Berman began his career in education in 1999 as a soccer coach and substitute teacher. He began his work as a teacher at PVUSD in 2003 and has since been in a variety of positions that increased in responsibility, most recently and since 2012 as HA Hyde principal. Mr. Berman is also a course instructor at UCSC, leading a course titled “Classroom Connection”. The Department of Equity welcomes Mr. Berman to his new role in the district.

Kerry Le Roux is the new Program Director for the SELPA Department. Ms. Le Roux has a Master in Education Administration and Supervision from San Jose SU and a BA in Educational Psychology from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. She began her teaching career in 1994, becoming an Assistant Principal in 2012 and most recently worked as a principal, overseeing curriculum, facilities, community partnerships, safety, staffing and positive behavior support. Ms. Le Roux’s experience will support SELPA’s department’s programs and systems.

Gerri Fippin will also join the District’s SELPA Department as Program Director this school year. Ms. Fippin has a teaching credential on Special Education Moderate to Severe and an Administrative Studies Credential from San Francisco SU. She joins us from Soquel Elementary School where she has been serving as principal since 2013. Ms. Fippin’s vast experience in the field of Special Education make her an asset to the Department. Susie Alarcon will serve the Child Development Department as Teen Parenting Coordinator
and will join the team with valuable experience in early education. Ms. Alarcon has worked at San Benito High as a CTE Teacher in Hollister. She has served as a Special Education Pre- School Teacher; California Student and Family Education Coordinator/Case manager, Infant/Toddler Center Director/Site Supervisor and ROP Vocational Child Development Instructor as well as a State Preschool Teacher/Site Supervisor for Gilroy Unified. She has Associates Degrees in Child Development and Fashion Merchandising and attended Pacific Oaks College, Gavilan community and the University of La Verne. Her understanding and the expertise about the community we serve is important and will be an asset for the department. Sonia Heredia will serve as the Coordinator Program Operations for the Child Development Department.

Since 1997, Sonia Heredia has served as an Early Childhood Education Master Teacher at the Monterey County Office of Education, Migrant Programs. She has served as a Site Supervisor and Early Childhood Education Instruction Leader. She has Associates Degrees in Child Development and a Bachelor’s in Human Development and Master in Leadership Education having attended Monterey Peninsula College and Hartnell College.

Sandra Sanchez will join the Food Services Department as Operations Supervisor. She joins PVUSD with experience serving as the Director of Child Nutrition Services in Scotts Valley since 2013. Prior to this, Ms. Sanchez managed Boardwalk Bowl Café Restaurant and served as a teacher’s assistant at Cabrillo College Children’s Center. She has an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Cabrillo College and is taking Humanity and Social Services classes at San Jose State. Ms. Sanchez helps work with over 60 families each month by overseeing participation in the Santa Cruz County Second Harvest Food Bank where she has volunteered for over 4 years.

PVUSD invites the community to welcome these leaders to their new roles.

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