KINGS CHARTER
HOMEGROWN
In January 2019 Kings Charter initiated their “Homegrown” Member Recognition Program. Three administrators whose roots are in Kings County are recognized each month.
MARCH
• Valerie Botello
Principal, Jamison High School and Lemoore Adult School
TELL US ABOUT YOUR “HOMEGROWN” JOURNEY TO BECOMING AN ADMINISTRATOR IN KINGS COUNTY.
I went to school at Central Union Elementary from kindergarten through eighth grade. After Central I went to Lemoore High School. From Lemoore High I went on to West Hills and transferred to Fresno State. I received my BA in Liberal Studies from Fresno State, as well as my Mild Moderate SPED credential. After Fresno State I went to CSU Bakersfield where I received my Masters in Educational Administration. While completing my BA I worked as a SPED aide for Pioneer Middle School. During my last semester of the program I began substitute teaching. As soon as I graduated with my BA I began teaching SPED at Lemoore High School (LHS). I taught at LHS for six years before I left to begin my journey as an administrator. I started my admin career as a Program Specialist for Visalia Unified (VUSD). I left VUSD to return to LHS and work as an assistant principal. I am now serving as the principal of Jamison High School and Lemoore Adult School.
WHY DID YOU JOIN ACSA?
I joined ACSA to network with other administrators.
• Rebecca Villa
Director, Early Childhood Education
Kings County Office of Education
• Veronica Pelayo-Morales
Principal, Armona Union Elementary School
FEBRUARY
• Michelle Cano
Learning Coordinator, Island Union Elementary School District
TELL US ABOUT YOUR “HOMEGROWN” JOURNEY TO BECOMING AN ADMINISTRATOR IN KINGS COUNTY.
I attended kindergarten at Monroe Elementary School in the Hanford Elementary School District. From 1st through 8th grades I attended St. Rose McCarthy School, a private school in Hanford. During my high school years, I went to Hanford High School. My college years were spent at Fresno Pacific University where I also received my master’s degree in educational administration, as well as my administrative credential. I will be completing my eighth year at Island this June.
WHY DID YOU JOIN ACSA?
The reason I joined ACSA was to reap the benefits of belonging to a professional organization. The value of networking with other school administrators, as well as the professional development events that are offered by ACSA are truly beneficial to my personal and professional growth as a school leader.
• David Whitmore
Principal, John Muir Middle School
Corcoran Joint Union School District
• Silvia Maldonado
Vice-Principal, Activities/ASB Director
Avenal High School
TELL US ABOUT YOUR “HOMEGROWN” JOURNEY TO BECOMING AN ADMINISTRATOR IN KINGS COUNTY
My educational journey began at Kettleman City Elementary School where I completed my elementary and middle school education. After promotion from middle school I attended Avenal High School and graduated as a proud Buccaneer. I attended West Hills College for two years then transferred to Fresno State University, where I received my BA in Liberal Arts. I was hired by Reef-Sunset Unified School District upon my graduation from Fresno State. My first teaching job was at Kettleman City Elementary School, where I taught first grade for 15 years. My administrative credential work was completed through Tulare County Office of Education. I am currently the Vice-Principal, Activities/ASB Director at Avenal High School. I am in my 3rd year at Avenal High.
WHY DID YOU JOIN ACSA?
I joined ACSA because it is a great association that keeps me abreast OF all aspects of the education field. It also provides valuable networking opportunities for me to be informed of all the great things colleagues throughout the area are doing at their sites and districts.
JANUARY
• Nichole Mendes
Assistant Principal, Hanford West High School
Hanford Joint Union High School District
TELL US ABOUT YOUR “HOMEGROWN” JOURNEY TO BECOMING AN ADMINISTRATOR IN KINGS COUNTY
I was born and raised in Hanford, attended Pioneer when it was K-8, went on to graduate from Hanford High School in 1992, then on to Kings River College and transferring to CSU Stanislaus. I returned to my roots in 2000. The next year I was fortunate to obtain a PE position at Hanford West and have remained in HJUHSD since. I was a PE teacher and basketball coach for 16 years and as much as I enjoyed helping students and student athletes work toward reaching their physical and academic goals, I felt a calling to work in a capacity of greater leadership, that had the ability to reach multiple students and programs. I attended the Fresno Pacific University administrative program and was hired as a learning director for Hanford West in the 2015-16 school year. I am currently the assistant principal at Hanford West.
WHY DID YOU JOIN ACSA?
I joined ACSA for the many opportunities it allows a growing administrator — the ability to network, conferences, workshops, etc., as well as the professional liability protections.
• Fred Guerrero
Principal, Reef Sunset Middle School
Reef Sunset Unified School District
• Robert Guzman
Assistant Principal, Liberty Middle School
Lemoore Union Elementary School District
WEST KERN CHARTER
HIGHLIGHTED KERN COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS
West Kern Charter invites three or four of their members to their monthly charter meeting to highlight their contributions to education in Kern County. To learn more about each honoree, click on the Bitly link for each month.
APRIL – bit.ly/2G2rKAw
• Danny Arellano
Principal
WUESD
• Rocio Muñoz
Assistant Superintendent Ed. Services
RUSD
• Laura Orozco
Area Administrator
BCSD
MARCH – bit.ly/2UoWxPO
• Susanna Rios
Principal
Bakersfield City School District
• Antwan Miller
Vice Principal
Kern County Superintendent of Schools
• Heidi Witcher
Assistant Superintendent/Principal
BUSD
FEBRUARY – http.//bit.ly/2EjfIIi
• Dr. Hana Suleiman
Principal
Greenfield Union School District
• Shirdon Prince
Principal Alt. Ed.
Kern County Superintendent of Schools
• Dr. Jocelyn Hively
Director of Student Support Services
Standard School District, Bakersfield
DECEMBER – http://bit.ly/2Rafd5e
• Janet Bianco
Principal, Almondale Elementary School
Rosedale Union School District
• Patrick Calley
Principal
Panama Buena-Vista Union School District
• Margaret Gallegos
Area Administrator
Bakersfield City School District
NOVEMBER – http://bit.ly/2qvOSic
• Kim Carlson (left)
Director of Human Services
Fruitvale School District
• Stacey Stansberry (center)
Director of Education Technology
Taft Union High School District
• Sharon Dunn (right)
Principal
Loudon Elementary
Panama Buena-Vista Union School District
• Marilyn Strongin (not pictured)
Principal, James Curran Middle School
Bakersfield City School District