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The Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District has announced Roxana Mohammed as the new principal of Livermore High School after having served as vice principal for the past 11 years.
Mohammed’s promotion comes after former Livermore High principal Helen Gladden moved to fill a need at nearby East Avenue Middle School.
Earning both her Bachelor of Science in psychology and Master of Arts in educational leadership from California State University, East Bay, Mohammed has more than 30 years of educational experience as a teacher, staff developer and vice principal preparing her for the new role as principal.
“I have a deep passion for working with young individuals and believe that as educators, we have a profound responsibility and extraordinary opportunity to both impart knowledge and make a positive impact on their lives,” Mohammed said.
Gladden sat at the helm of the high school for the past four years before returning to East Avenue where she previously served as principal during the 2015-16 and 2016-17 school years.
“Ms. Gladden brings a wealth of knowledge with her previous middle school and high school principal experience that will support student success in middle school and prepare them for high school success,” LVJUSD officials said in an email.
During her tenure at Livermore High, Gladden led the campus community through distance learning, hybrid learning, a return to in-person learning, major construction and a successful accreditation review, according to the school district website.
East Avenue’s previous principal, Jesse Hansen, resigned at the end of last school year to pursue other opportunities, according to the district.
Lisa Keck has taken on the vice principal position vacated by Mohammed at Livermore High.
Keck is in her 29th year in education, having worked in both New York and California as a teacher, vice principal and elementary and middle school principal. “I look forward to working with the LHS team to provide students with the kinds of educational opportunities and support they need for success,” Keck said.
Many other LVJUSD students will also be welcomed to campus by new administrators when school starts next week.
At Joe Michell TK-8 School, Donielle Machi has taken the wheel as principal.
Machi previously taught at Joe Michell before her most recent role as vice principal at Junction Avenue TK-8 School. She brings with her more than 20 years of educational experience to lead the International Baccalaureate (IB) school.
In a statement, Machi expressed excitement for her new position.
“I look forward to building upon Michell’s strong foundation of IB curriculum and culture of kindness, respect, and acceptance. We hope to shape not only exceptional students, but also exceptional human beings who will make a positive impact in the world,” she said.
Machi’s transition back to Joe Michell left a vice principal position open at Junction that has been filled by Lauren Shiffrin.
Shiffrin’s decade-long career in education started in Chicago and includes experience in both elementary and secondary teaching and special education. Most recently, Shiffrin served as an assistant principal in the Morgan Hill Unified School District.
At Marylin Avenue STEAM Academy — formerly known as Marylin Avenue Elementary School — former teacher Holly Barker will work alongside principal Joe Meunier as the STEAM Magnet program coordinator.
District officials said Barker’s more than 16 years as an educator will be instrumental in collaborating with teachers and staff to develop and implement a new educational magnet program focused on science, technology, engineering, art and math.
Former San Ramon Valley Unified School District administrator Garrett Fitch has joined the Mendenhall Middle School team as vice principal.
Fitch’s move to LVJUSD follows his resignation from his assistant principal role at Charlotte Wood Middle School in Danville ahead of this academic year.
“While this was an incredibly difficult decision, I am confident it is the right one for me and my family,” Fitch wrote in a message to the Charlotte Wood community at the time of his resignation. “We live in Livermore, and this will allow me to work in the school district my kids are going through, and more importantly, will shrink my commute to and from work to an amazing 5 minutes!”
Ahead of starting his new journey at LVJUSD’s largest middle school, Fitch said that he is “eager to build meaningful connections with staff, students and parents so that we can work collectively to help our students achieve at the highest level.”
Vineyard Alternative School also has a new vice principal. Michelle Seugling brings her experience as a former elementary and middle school teacher and educational technology instructional coach to serve in the role at Vineyard, which offers independent study, hybrid learning and dual-enrollment educational models for students in grades K-12.
At the district level, Doug D’Amour joins LVJUSD as director of fiscal services.
D’Amour’s most recent role as director of financial systems support for the Alameda County Office of Education included leading the implementation of financial system projects for 10 ACOE school districts.
Prior to his time at ACOE, D’Amour worked as an account manager and fiscal director for San Leandro Unified School District and Emery Unified School District, respectively.
“When change occurs, we are pleased to be able to both promote from within our organization and embrace new administrators who bring fresh perspectives to our District,” Superintendent Chris Van Schaack said of all the transitions. “We look forward to all of our leaders collaborating with District and site staff as they work towards their common goals for student success this year.”
The new administrators were recognized during the LVJUSD Board of Education meeting on Aug. 8. The district will welcome students to the first day of the new school year on Monday (Aug. 21).
