New School Leaders to Welcome Students in 2024-25

As the school bells prepare to ring once again on Wednesday, August 14, there is excitement across Redwood City School District (RCSD). This year, some RCSD students will be greeted by veteran educators new to their schools.

From seasoned educators transitioning to new roles within the district to fresh faces joining our community, each leader brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to their schools. As anticipation builds for the new academic year, these leaders, who were named to their new roles during the spring and summer, stand ready to inspire, support, and guide our students towards a year filled with growth and achievement.

The 2024-25 school leaders and their new roles are as follows:

Garfield Community School: Principal Sara Shackel

Ms. Sara Shackel, the newly appointed principal of Garfield Community School, brings more than two decades of educational experience and a deep commitment to student success. Her career began as a teacher at McKinley Institute of Technology (MIT), where she worked to empower students and engage with the diverse community. She later transitioned to an administrative role at Roy Cloud School before assuming the principalship at North Star Academy. There, she distinguished herself by fostering strong community connections and promoting both academic excellence and the holistic development of students. With her extensive experience and collaborative spirit, Ms. Shackel is well-positioned to lead Garfield Community School into a new era of achievement.

Garfield Community School: Director of Support Services at Garfield Todd Gaviglio

Mr. Todd Gaviglio comes out of retirement to join Garfield Community School full-time, where he is dedicated to serving students. Even after retiring, his passion for education kept him involved, assisting with administration at Garfield over the past two school years. With a 35-year career in education, Mr. Gaviglio previously served as the Principal of both John Gill and Adelante Spanish Immersion schools.

Education:

Doctoral Coursework for Education Administration and Policy Analysis--Stanford University
Master of Arts in Education Administration--San Francisco State University
Master of Arts in Political Science (Labor Studies, Latin American Studies, Collective Action)--Stanford University
Bachelor of Arts in Political Economics--University of Washington

Hoover Community School: Assistant Principal Dinora Castro

Fluent in both Spanish and English, Dinora Castro is a school administrator and instructional leader with more than 25 years of experience in various private and public school settings. She has served as an administrator across elementary, middle, and high schools and has spent the past decade serving students and families at various schools in the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD). Ms. Castro’s expertise in Pupil Services encompasses all facets of services essential to student success, including overseeing Special Education Programs, School Counseling, Social Work, Mental Health and Wellness, and Extended Day Programming. A significant focus of her work is enhancing the culture and climate of schools through her extensive knowledge of Restorative Justice. Ms. Castro builds supporting relationships with faculty, staff, and, most importantly, with students and families, and she is committed to implementing Restorative Practices that foster inclusive and supportive school environments, ensuring every student's success and well-being.

Education:

Master of Arts in Educational Leadership--Mills College
Master of Arts in Education, Principal Leadership Institute--University of California, Berkeley
Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy--John F. Kennedy University
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology--University of San Francisco

Kennedy Middle School: Assistant Principal Dr. Shanna Laney

Dr. Shanna Laney transfers to Kennedy Middle School as a new assistant principal for the 2024-25 school year, bringing more than two decades of educational experience, including more than ten years as a school administrator. A proud Redwood City native, Dr. Laney attended RCSD for elementary school. Fully bilingual in Spanish and English, she previously served as assistant principal at Roosevelt School. Dr. Laney’s deep understanding of the academic and developmental needs of students transitioning from middle to high school will be instrumental in supporting Kennedy’s efforts to foster a supportive and effective learning environment. Her extensive background in both teaching and administration, combined with her passion for languages, makes her a valuable addition to the Kennedy community.

Education:

Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership--Concordia University, Irvine
Masters of Education--Teachers College of San Joaquin
Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Psychology--University of the Pacific

Kennedy Middle School: Assistant Principal Dr. Monica Rodriguez

Dr. Monica is a highly accomplished educational leader and multilingual administrator with extensive experience in curriculum design, school management, and fostering diversity in educational settings. She has served in various leadership roles in Santa Clara Unified School District, New York City, and Shanghai, China, where she led significant initiatives such as developing arts programs and overseeing school accreditation processes. Her experience in China will be instrumental in supporting the growing Kennedy Mandarin Immersion Program, while her arts expertise will contribute to the elective offerings. Fluent in English and Spanish, proficient in Portuguese and Italian, and knowledgeable in Arabic and Chinese cultures, Dr. Monica is dedicated to creating an inclusive learning environment that promotes student success and professional growth.

Education:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Educational Leadership--University of the Cumberlands
Master’s of Music--New York University
Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education--Berklee College of Music

Kennedy Middle School: Coordinator of Student Services Cynthia Valente

Ms. Cynthia Valente is a seasoned educator and program director with extensive experience in child development and youth programs. She has held various roles at the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula, including Site Director, Associate Director, and Middle School Success Advisor. Her responsibilities have included overseeing program logistics, training staff, implementing safety protocols, and supporting the academic and socio-emotional development of middle school students. Fluent in Spanish, Ms. Valente also has international experience teaching English to preschool children in Spain, and has participated in a service project in the Dominican Republic.

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Child Development and Spanish--California State University, Chico

McKinley Institute of Technology (MIT): Principal Bea Williams

Beatrice (Bea) Williams is the newly appointed principal of McKinley Institute of Technology (MIT), bringing extensive experience and a strong commitment to student success. Bea joins MIT from her role as Assistant Principal at Kennedy Middle School, the largest school in the district, where she gained valuable experience leading diverse student populations and promoting a culture of excellence. Prior to this, she served in Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) in Atlanta, one of the nation’s largest school districts, where she taught mathematics and held leadership roles. Bea’s dedication to academic rigor and her passion for supporting student growth align perfectly with the district’s mission and values.

Education:

Master’s degree in Education Administration and Supervision--University of Phoenix
Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, Mathematics--Baker College of Flint - Madonna University

McKinley Institute of Technology (MIT): Assistant Principal Alma Paez

Ms. Alma Paez is a dedicated educator with a background spanning various roles in special education and educational leadership. She joins McKinley Institute of Technology (MIT) as assistant principal after most recently serving as the assistant principal for a middle school in the Kings County Unified School District. She also taught special education for several years. Ms. Paez brings a wealth of experience in student behavior standards, curriculum, school-wide communication, and staff development.

Education:

Master of Education in Special Education--University of California, Riverside
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and Spanish Literature--University of California, Riverside

McKinley Institute of Technology (MIT): Coordinator of Student Services Nelson Brasil

Nelson Brasil joins McKinley Institute of Technology (MIT) as the Student Services Coordinator, bringing more than 20 years of experience in education and community building. With a strong background in fostering inclusive and supportive school environments, he is committed to enhancing the school’s culture by celebrating diversity and advocating for student voice. Nelson will collaborate with students, teachers, and families to develop initiatives that support social-emotional learning and promote a sense of belonging. He is eager to forge strong connections within the Bulldog community and extend his efforts to the broader Redwood City area.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Management

Roy Cloud School: Assistant Principal Jason Koenigsberg

Jason Koenigsberg is an experienced educator with a strong commitment to fostering academic, social, and emotional growth in students. Formerly a Social Studies teacher at New Brunswick Public Schools, he has developed and implemented curricula for grades 6-8, integrated character education into lessons, and mentored student teachers. His previous role at Benjamin Banneker Charter School spanned over a decade, where he served as both a Social Studies teacher and the Director of Special Education and Student Services. There, he supervised special education staff, coordinated professional development, managed school operations, and led initiatives to improve student behavior and staff attendance. Additionally, he has coached wrestling and softball teams, organized various school events, and conducted safety drills. Jason's career is marked by his ability to design effective curricula, mentor teachers, and engage with the community to enhance the educational experience.

Education:

Masters in Education--Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Bachelor’s degree--University of Rhode Island

Roosevelt Elementary School and Taft Community School: Assistant Principal Veronica Chávez

Veronica Chávez joins RCSD as an assistant principal who will support both Roosevelt and Taft schools. She is an accomplished administrator with more than three decades of experience in leading and managing culturally and linguistically diverse communities within educational settings. Fluent in both Spanish and English, she has experience incommunication, team building, and bilingual language acquisition pedagogy. Ms. Chávez’s leadership experience includes serving as Assistant Superintendent at San Francisco Unified School District, where she established the Professional Learning and Leadership Development Office, recruited and coached principals, and worked to improve school performance metrics. Her administrative roles span from principalships at various schools, where she successfully implemented programs and increased student performance, to supervising and administering multilingual programs that introduced district-wide initiatives and dual language programs.

Education:

Master of Arts in Educational Administration--San Francisco State University
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration--University of California, Berkeley

The educators assumed their new roles effective July 1.