POMONA – To welcome in the new school year, the Pomona Unified School District is introducing new administrators – including a new principal at Lorbeer Middle School ¬– and celebrating promotions of staff members who will helm their respective departments and carry on PUSD’s tradition of success.

“The passion these educators have will ensure that our students are academically challenged through engaging curriculum and will gain the skills needed for post-secondary success,” Board of Education President Andrew Wong said. “Congratulations to our staff members on their new roles. I wish them all the best.”

Leading the Longhorns as principal of Lorbeer Middle School is 20-year educator and former Diamond Ranch High School Assistant Principal Angelique Butler. She replaces longtime principal Krystana Walks-Harper, a 26-year educator who is now the District’s Associate Director of Pupil and Community Services.

Walks-Harper graduated from Garey High School and holds a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Maryland, a master’s in education from Claremont Graduate University (CGU) and an administrative credential from Cal State San Bernardino. She is a doctoral candidate in education at CGU and oversees a variety of services at PUSD, including peer resources, National Academy Foundation schools, and parent support and involvement programs.

“I am proud to follow in Mrs. Walks-Harper’s footsteps and am looking forward to building on the tradition of providing a rigorous and engaging curriculum, as well as honoring the history of strengths and successes of Lorbeer,” Butler said. “I firmly believe in the importance of developing a solid, collaborative partnership with our parents, so that we may meet all the needs of our developing students and offer them the highest quality of education.”

Butler, a graduate of Pomona High School, holds master’s degrees in economics and school counseling. She began her service with the District as a sixth-grade teacher at Emerson Middle School before moving to Diamond Ranch High School.

Other new appointments include:

Tamatha Williams, Assistant Principal at Diamond Ranch High School – In the District since 1995, Williams has served as a teacher, teacher specialist and academic coach. She holds a bachelor’s in behavioral science from Cal Poly Pomona, a master’s in education from Claremont Graduate School and a doctorate in education from Cal Poly Pomona.

Anthony Rice, Assistant Principal at Garey High School – The former dean of students at Pomona High School, Rice is leading as assistant principal at his alma mater. Rice, who joined the District in 1999 as a secondary teacher, is a former football coach with a master’s in Education.

Dr. Bryan Stoops, Dean of students at Garey High School – Stoops is a new hire from the Chino Valley Unified School District and holds a bachelor’s in drama from UCLA, a master’s in educational multimedia and a doctorate of education in organizational leadership from the University of La Verne.

Behrad Hosseinzadeh, Dean of students at Pomona High School – New to Pomona Unified, Hosseinzadeh comes from the Glendale Unified School District. He holds a bachelor’s in criminal justice, a master’s in history from Cal State Fullerton, and a master’s in educational leadership and administration from Concordia University.

Jennifer Wagner, Director of Educational Technology – With the District since 1995, Wagner previously served as program administrator of Educational Services/Instructional Technology, bolstering technology programs, increasing tech resources for students and making tech devices more accessible.

Zoila Savaglio, Director of State and Federal Programs – Savaglio will oversee the office that ensures that state and federal programs are aligned to district initiatives, with a focus on increasing student achievement. She will coordinate such programs as Title 1, Gifted and Talented Education, English Language Learner program, Migrant Education program and the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) process. She has been with the District since 1990.

Maryann Gonzalez, Coordinator of Child Development – Previously the child development program assistant, Gonzalez has been with the District since 1991 and holds a master’s degree in human development.

Vicki Vazquez, Program Assistant of Child Development – Working at such locations as Long Beach Community College and Disney’ Children Center, Vazquez holds a bachelor’s degree in human development and a master’s degree in human development leadership.

“I am confident that each of these amazing leaders and their expertise will continue to positively shape our students through high-quality instruction,” Superintendent Richard Martinez said. “The Pomona Unified family welcomes all of these educators and we look forward to a successful 2015-16 school year.”

PHOTO CAPTION:

ADMIN: Leading the Longhorns as principal of Lorbeer Middle School is former Diamond Ranch High School Assistant Principal Angelique Butler, who has been with the District in a variety of teaching capacities for 20 years.