As schools open this week, we’re delighted to announce the hiring of new principals and assistant principals across our district. These new site administrators bring a wealth of education, experience, enthusiasm, and passion to their new roles here. Here’s a glimpse into who they are:

Tiffany Allison: Ruby Bridges Elementary

Tiffany Allison has joined us as the new Assistant Principal at Ruby Bridges Elementary School.

Ms. Allison received her BA in English Language and Literature from Westmont College and her Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Administration from Colorado State University. She has worked in the educational field for more than 18 years as an English teacher for middle and high school students. She also worked in professional development before serving as a teacher on special assignment for Walnut Creek School District.

Ruby’s new AP has a warm and encouraging message for her students. “I think it’s really important to remember that every school year is a new chapter,” she says. “It’s an exciting opportunity for all of us to be our best selves, start fresh, get to know one another, and grow!”

 

Jorge Melgoza: Island High School

Long-time educator Jorge Melgoza is joining us this year as the interim principal at Island High School. Mr. Melgoza has worked as a teacher and administrator in local districts including Berkeley Unified, Mount Diablo, and San Leandro, for more than 30 years.

Mr. Melgoza received his BA in Chicano Studies and his MA in Educational Administration from UC Berkeley. He also earned an MA in Education from Stanford University.

He first started mentoring and tutoring young men during his sophomore year of college, which was when he developed a passion for teaching.Dedicated to supporting students and helping them develop a plan for success in graduating, Mr. Melgoza tells his students, ”The power is in your hands. I want you to make a pledge of success to yourself that when you come here. Graduating is the goal!”

 

Angela Barrett: Alameda High School

Angela Barrett is the new principal at Alameda High School.

Angela has served as an assistant principal and teacher in the Oakland and Pleasanton school districts and also at Nea Community Learning Center here in Alameda. Most recently she was Piedmont Middle School’s assistant principal.

Barrett received her Bachelor of Arts degrees in English literature and creative writing from Cal State San Bernadino and her master’s degrees in education and educational leadership from Cal State East Bay and Mills College, respectively. She also received her administrative credential from Mills.

Barrett told us she is beyond grateful for the warm welcome from the Alameda High team and can’t wait to kick off the new school year with students back on campus.“Let’s have a great year,” she says to her students and staff. “Really have fun and lean into it. There’s going to be times where things are great, and times where things are challenging. Together we could get through it all!”

Fun fact: Angela is a big kid at heart and loves anime, reading, and video games!

 

Kathryn Davis and Adelita Martinez: Lincoln Middle School

Lincoln Middle School is welcoming two new assistant principals this year: Kathryn Davis and Adelita Martinez.

Ms. Davis has worked in the educational field for over 17 years as a middle school English teacher in both Seattle and the Bay Area. Most recently she was a teacher and Instructional Leadership Team member at Korematsu Middle School in the West Contra Costa Unified School District.

She received her Bachelor of Arts in English from University of Wisconsin, Madison and a Masters in Secondary Education from DePaul University. She is currently completing a Master’s  in Educational Administration at UC Berkeley and she earned the National Board Certification (which is the highest certification a teacher can have).

“I feel very supported here by the district, by everyone here at Lincoln,” Ms. Davis says. “I’m already learning so much and I’m really excited for the kids to start!”

Adelita Martinez served as AUSD's Coordinator of Language and Literacy/ELD for six years before going first to Berkeley Unified School District as a professional development coordinator and then to Antioch Unified Schol District as a vice principal. She began her teaching career in Oakland Unified, where she fast became an expert in math, English Language Development and literacy. She went on to work as a Project Coordinator of Mathematics and English Learners for Stanislaus County Office of Education before coming to AUSD in 2014.

She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Welfare from UC Berkeley.

Ms. Martinez has a passion for and commitment to social justice and educational reform.

 

Holly Ellison: Encinal Jr. Sr. High School

Holly Ellison, the new Dean of Student Support Services at Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School, has more than 20 years of experience in education, including as a Spanish and core teacher, intervention specialist, teacher coach, and assistant principal.

Ms. Ellison earned her Bachelor’s Degree in English at UC Los Angeles and her Master’s Degree in Education Administration from San Jose State University. Most recently, she served as a vice principal at East Avenue Middle School in Livermore, CA.

“I am particularly excited about the focus on equity and inclusivity and supporting our students in AUSD,” she says. “I think this is going to be a really great school year!”

Fun fact: Ms. Ellison recently took a year off to travel the world, exploring South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa. “Time away from education has given me a chance to reflect on my goals as an educator as well as pursue professional development,” she wrote to AUSD when she applied for the position. “I am returning to the work force with a renewed excitement to serve our students and my community."

Jessica Lucio: Wood Middle School

A former assistant principal at Lincoln Middle School, as well as a former teacher at Wood Middle School, Ms. Lucio now returns to Wood as their new principal. 

She earned her Bachelor's degree in Ethnic Studies from UC San Diego and her Master's degree in Educational Leadership from California State University - East Bay. She has served as a core teacher for 6th-8th grade, as well as an 8th grade English teacher, and she has extensive experience in curriculum development.

"I want students to come to school with their goals in mind and their hearts open to learning new things," Ms. Lucio says. "We have some amazing artists on campus to support their passions. I am excited that we are all starting new together and that we have an opportunity to redefine ourselves. We can be whatever we want to be, in so many ways!"

In her spare time, Ms. Lucio enjoys Pilates ("to take care of my mind and body") and reading. She also a mixed media artist.