More New Principals This Fall at Berkeley Schools

A visit to the principal's office will find a new face behind the big desk at three more Berkeley elementary schools this fall, the school district announced over the summer. New principles at two other Berkeley schools – an elementary and middle – were announced at the end of the last school year.

LeConte Elementary School

The new principal at LeConte is Veronica Valerio, who was the professional development coordinator for the Berkeley school district, where for the past two years she "led efforts to improve teaching and learning in our schools," said the appointment announcement from the district's new superintendent, Donald Evans.

"She brings a deep knowledge of what students need to know at each grade level, and a unique ability to inspire teachers and staff in the use of effective and engaging instructional strategies," Evans said.

A graduate of UCLA, with a masters in education from UC Berkeley, Valerio began her career as a Spanish bilingual teacher in Oakand and San Leandro. She served also as an assistant principal in the Inglewood and Mt. Diablo school districts, and was a regional language arts specialist for the Oakland school district before coming to Berkeley.

Members of the LeConte community are invited to a PTA hosted reception for Valerio from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 10, at the school.

Oxford Elementary School

The principal of Crocker Highlands Elementary School in Oakland for the past four years, Elizabeth (“Beth”) Rhine, is the new principal at Oxford this fall.

She is known for being a collaborative leader with a deep knowledge of pedagogical practices, curriculum, and grade-level standards who is committed to ensuring the academic and social-emotional success of each child," Evans said in the appointment notice.

"Ms. Rhine believes that the principal should be the heart of a school, and a role model to staff, students, and parents," he said. "She works hard to meet those expectations each day."

Rhine earned her undergraduate degree in psychology at UC Berkeley and her administrative credential at Cal State East Bay. She worked in grant administration at UC Berkeley for five years before embarking on a 16-year career with the Oakland school district.

Members of the Oxford community are invited to a reception for Rhine from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, at the school.

Thousand Oaks Elementary School

Thousand Oaks' new principal will be Jennifer Corn, who has been the principal at Oxford Elementary.

An announcement notice from then Co-Superintendent Neil Smith said, "We came to realize that the best choice for Thousand Oaks was already in our district.  Due to her unique set of skills and experience in bilingual education, we asked Jennifer Corn to transfer from Oxford to become principal at Thousand Oaks.”

Washington Elementary and Oxford Middle schools

At the end of the last school year, it was announced that Debbie Dean, former Assistant Principal at Redwood Middle School in Napa, would become the new principal at Willard Middle School and that Mel Stenger is taking the reins at Washington Elementary, Berkeleyside reported.

--------------

Don't miss any news from Berkeley Patch. Get the day's headlines and events – plus any breaking news alerts – by subscribing to the Berkeley Patch email newsletter. Just click “Get the newsletter” at the top of the site when you’re signed in.