LAMORINDA WEEKLY | New in Class: Staff Changes in Lamorinda Public Schools


New staff at Stanley Middle School include, from left, front row: Vicki Bertrand, Suzanne Tom, Launa Parnas and Michele Murphy; back row: Sayna Peeff, Brian Cooper and Robert Anke. Missing from photo: Ami Nichols, Lauri Panther and Marjolein Byl Photo Cathy Dausman

Pay attention, class: it's time to learn the new faces appearing at your nearby Lamorinda public schools. At the high school level, Acalanes reports just one personnel change this year-the addition of teacher Karen Kelly, who transferred in-district.

Campolindo has a new Associate Principal, Sharon Bartlett, as well as new teachers Shannon Collins and Lindsay Webb-Peploe-Social Science; Angela Prado, Jessica Hoffschnieder and Lisa Bruzzone-Learning Center; Sarah Marheine-Physics, Shih-Min Holland-Mandarin; Mark Roberts-Choral Music; Tren Kauzer-Biology.

Miramonte hired Michael McAlister as its new Associate Principal.

Stanley Middle School Principal David Schrag explains that his long list of new teachers is a result of in-district personnel moving up from K-5 schools. Three special ed teachers are new to Stanley this year; they are Vicki Bertrand, Ami Nichols and Laurie Panther. Robert Anke, Shayna Peeff and Suzanne Tom teach core classes; Michele Murphy teaches wood technology, Launa Parnas teaches foreign languages and Brian Cooper is a math instructor. Stanley also shares school psychologist Marjolein Byl (new to them), with Lafayette Elementary. "It's great new energy [for Stanley]," he says.

The new Assistant Principal at Orinda Intermediate School is Stacy Wayne. The school roster also includes new teachers Brenda Thompson (band), Katherine Palmer-Collins (English/History) and Greta Heintz (Science).

Joaquin Moraga Middle School welcomes science teacher Jason Blalock, and intensive learning teachers Mary Uscilka and Rosy Audette.

Orinda Union School District reports "a lot of personnel changes." Dr. Ken Gallegos is Sleepy Hollow Elementary's new Principal. The district has also hired three new administrators - Director of Curriculum and Instruction: Kathy Marshall; Director of Special Services/Personnel: Brian Inglesby, and Director of Business Services/CBO Loreen Farrell.

Retirements forced several changes within the Lafayette School District. John Egnor is the new Director of Student Services; he arrives from Big Bear School District in Southern California. Heather Duncan, the former Buena Vista Elementary principal (Walnut Creek) succeeds Bruce Wodhams as principal at Springhill Elementary. Jim Manheimer is new Assistant Principal at Burton Valley Elementary. Manheimer taught at Lafayette Elementary last year.

Meanwhile, Moraga School District's Marie Parti gets an A+ for her clear, concise report. When asked about staff changes, the Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent said simply: "Everybody's back."