Following recent leadership announcements at Bishop, Ellis and Columbia Middle, Dr. Benjamin Picard, Superintendent of Schools, announced three new administrator assignments: Dr. Tasha Dean will serve as Director of Special Education and Student Services for Sunnyvale School District, Edith Mourtos will serve as principal at Cumberland Elementary School, and Allison White will serve as principal at Cherry Chase Elementary School.
Tasha Dean’s most recent experience was at the New Haven Unified School District in Union City, CA where she served as Coordinator of Special Services (since 2008). She has an extensive background in education and a broad range of experiences developing and deploying special education and student support services at the county, public school district and school site levels.
Edith Mourtos’ career spans many years of educational and leadership positions. In her most recent experience with the Santa Clara County Office of Education, Mrs. Mourtos supported school districts and schools throughout the county in establishing Professional Learning Communities, programs for Response to Instruction and Intervention, and preparing teacher leaders for the Common Core State Standards. Mrs. Mourtos is very familiar with our district’s initiatives supporting schools and student learning.
Allison White is a highly trained educator and comes to Sunnyvale School District from the Mountain View-Whisman School District where she served for many years, most recently as interim principal of Huff Elementary School. Over her career, she has taught lower and upper grades and has been a teacher leader on special assignment coaching beginning teachers. She has a strong background in literacy development and teacher coaching and observation. Mrs. White is very familiar with the initiatives that have been deployed within our district to support student learning and school excellence.
Sunnyvale School District is tremendously grateful to all those who contributed to the selection process including selection committee members and attendees of staff and parent focus groups. Dr. Picard is confident these new additions will strengthen the Sunnyvale School District team in our pursuit of academic achievement for all students.
Article by Nina Wong-Dobkin; Contributor: Dr. Benjamin Picard
