New Faces, Shared Mission: Welcoming RCSD’s 2025-26 School Leaders

With the start of the 2025–26 school year, Redwood City School District (RCSD) welcomes a new group of principals and assistant principals—leaders who bring deep experience and a shared commitment to student success.

These new leaders will guide and support their school communities while advancing RCSD’s mission of creating safe and supportive, inspirational and rigorous, joyful and inclusive environments for all learners. While leadership structures may vary by school, every campus benefits from a dedicated team of educators working collaboratively to ensure a strong and successful year ahead.

The 2025-26 school leaders and their new roles are as follows:

Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion School: Principal Patricia Alcocer 

At Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion School, Patricia Alcocer has been named the new principal starting this school year, after several years of service as the school’s assistant principal. With more than 20 years of experience in Spanish Language Immersion education across RCSD and other Northern California districts, Ms. Alcocer combines a strong background in both teaching and leadership. Her longstanding dedication to immersion education and deep connection to the Adelante Selby community make her well-equipped to guide the school in continuing its tradition of academic excellence and cultural enrichment. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from California State University, Chico. 

Garfield Community School: Principal Jennifer Knopf

Jennifer Knopf transfers to Garfield Community School as its new principal. With more than 20 years of experience in education, including her role as principal at Henry Ford Elementary and various positions within RCSD and the Jefferson Elementary School District, Ms. Knopf brings a wealth of knowledge and a collaborative leadership approach. Her commitment to creating inclusive, supportive learning environments aligns perfectly with Garfield’s strong tradition of community involvement and engagement. She holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from San Francisco State University. 

Henry Ford Elementary School: Principal Jennifer Sanchez

Henry Ford Elementary School is set to welcome Jennifer Sanchez as its new principal for the 2025-26 school year. Ms. Sanchez brings extensive experience from multiple school districts, along with a deep dedication to student achievement and community partnership. Her leadership is poised to build on Henry Ford’s tradition of academic excellence while strengthening the welcoming Mustang culture that makes the school unique. Ms. Sanchez’s educational background includes a master’s degree in Teaching Leadership from Saint Mary’s College, a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from San Francisco State University, and an associate’s in Liberal Studies from San Mateo Community College District. 

Child Development Center (CDC): Director and Principal Jenifer Pare 

Jenifer Pare brings more than 25 years of leadership and teaching experience in early childhood education to her new role as Director and Principal of the Redwood City School District’s Child Development Center. She has led at every level—from classroom teacher to regional and executive leadership—most recently serving as Site Director for Early Learning Services at the Santa Clara County Office of Education and previously as Chief Early Learning Officer at Kidango, Inc., where she oversaw Head Start programs, state-funded centers, and family childcare networks. Jenifer is known for her collaborative, whole-child, whole-family approach, her expertise in regulatory compliance and program quality, and her dedication to ensuring that every child reaches their fullest potential. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Child Development from Mills College and advanced professional credentials. 

Clifford School: Assistant Principal Clare Scribner 

Clifford welcomes Clare Scribner as the new assistant principal starting in 2025–26. Ms. Scribner brings a rich background in education, including experience as an administrator and dual language immersion teacher. She is passionate about data-driven instruction, equity initiatives, and bilingual literacy. Previously with Vancouver Public Schools in Washington, Ms. Scribner has led efforts in student-centered equity and community engagement. Her fluency in Spanish and international experiences across the Americas, Asia, and Europe enrich her student-centered leadership. She holds a master’s degree in Education from Chestnut Hill College, a master’s degree in Conflict Resolution from Creighton University, and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish Language and Literature from Haverford College.

Hoover Community School: Assistant Principal Maria Carmen Conferti 

Hoover Community School welcomes Maria Carmen Conferti as its new assistant principal. Conferti brings nearly two decades of experience as a teacher, instructional coach, and school administrator in Southern California districts, including recent leadership roles in Anaheim and Santa Ana. She has led initiatives in Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), restorative practices, dual language programs, and literacy intervention, always with a focus on equity and student well-being. Conferti holds a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Concordia University Irvine, a bachelor’s of science degree in Business Administration from CSU Dominguez Hills, and multiple teaching and administrative credentials, including a BCLAD authorization in Spanish. Her proven ability to build collaborative, student-centered school cultures will be a strong asset to the Hoover community.

Kennedy Middle School: Assistant Principal Enrique Pin 

Enrique Pin joins Kennedy Middle School as a new assistant principal. With more than 15 years of experience as an educational leader in diverse urban school settings, Mr. Pin brings a strong record of driving student achievement, closing equity gaps, and building inclusive, high-performing school cultures. Fluent in Spanish and deeply committed to bilingual education, trauma-informed practices, and data-driven leadership, he has led multiple schools to significant academic gains and earned recognition for his community partnerships and equity-focused initiatives. Mr. Pin holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from San Jose State University and an undergraduate degree in Law from San Martín de Porres University (Peru). 

McKinley Institute of Technology (MIT): Assistant Principal Dr. Luis Arreola 

MIT welcomes Dr. Luis Arreola as the new assistant principal. With nearly two decades of experience in education, Dr. Arreola brings a strong commitment to fostering inclusive, safe, and innovative learning environments. His background as a college professor specializing in Ethnic and Chicano Studies enriches his dedication to equity, diversity, and culturally responsive teaching. Dr. Arreola holds a doctorate degree from California State University, East Bay, a master’s in Ethnic Studies from San Jose State University, and a master’s in Education with a Multicultural Specialist credential from California State University San Marcos. 

North Star Academy: Assistant Principal Mary Dournaee

Mary Dournaee joins RCSD as the new assistant principal at North Star Academy. With more than two decades of diverse experience in education spanning both public and private settings, Ms. Dournaee brings a strong background in STEAM education, differentiation programming, and design of innovative, inclusive learning environments. She is passionate about cultivating joy in learning by nurturing curiosity and creativity in both students and staff. Ms. Dournaee believes that when wonder and exploration are embedded into the school culture, learners of all ages are empowered to thrive. Her collaborative approach and dedication to fostering inclusive, engaging classrooms reflect her belief that joyful learning is both a right and a catalyst for lifelong growth. Ms. Dournaee holds a California teaching credential as well as a newly earned administrative credential. She also holds degrees in math education, computer science, and mechanical engineering. As Assistant Principal, Ms. Dournaee is excited to join the North Star community and work in partnership with staff, students, and families to foster an innovative and inclusive environment where every learner thrives.

These leadership appointments come as a result of retirements and attrition. RCSD continues to invest in assistant principal roles at the district’s comprehensive middle schools, TK–8 schools, and the 3–8 model, where additional leadership support is essential due to the size and complexity of these campuses. The assistant principal role at TK–5 schools, which was created during the pandemic to address the unique challenges of that time, was phased out at the end of 2024-25 due to budget reductions. While the role is no longer funded at those sites, RCSD remains committed to ensuring all schools are supported by strong, capable instructional leaders focused on student success.