Principal hired just weeks before classes start for the year
The continuation schools of San Andreas and Santa Ana have a new
front man and his name is Angel Rivera.
Principal hired just weeks before classes start for the year
The continuation schools of San Andreas and Santa Ana have a new front man and his name is Angel Rivera.
San Andreas Continuation High School has a population of 213 students and Santa Ana Opportunity School has a population of 107 students.
The San Benito County Office of Education hired Rivera in early August, just weeks before the start of the school year. In addition to Santa Ana and San Andreas, Rivera will also oversee Pinnacles Community School and Pinnacles Court School.
Rivera was hired at the eleventh hour to fill Sanchez’ vacated position as he moved to the position of assistant superintendent of the County Office of Education.
County Superintendent of Schools Tim Foley said the position had been open for several months and the district was ready to have Sanchez wear several hats when Rivera appeared.
“It’s a very special position in the community,” Foley said. “We needed the right person to fill it and we were very impressed by the ideas [Rivera] brought forward. His philosophy for education and alternative education was on par with ours. Plus he’s a local, from the Central Coast and his references were impeccable.”
Though Rivera is new to the job, he’s confident that his love of kids will help him acclimate to the position. He’s no stranger to working with kids, as he’s made a career out of it.
“I love kids,” Rivera said. “I don’t see kids as good or bad, they’re just kids. And I’m going to push and fight for every one of my kids. I was one of them once and I still feel that connectedness.”
Rivera is a staunch believer in No Child Left Behind; he also believes that kids perform to the expectations put upon them.
“Getting families involved is a big part of the process,” Rivera said. “When you make a connection with the parents, they’ll go out of their way to help you educate their child. But gaining that trust is vital.”
Rivera grew up in Salinas as part of a family of 16. He graduated from Salinas High School and attended the University of Southern California.
His first job was teaching in North Monterey County. He was later a counselor at Seaside High School as well as assistant principal. He was a principal at Greenfield Middle School before departing to take a job as the Director of English language learners in the Sacramento area.
“I was ready to come home,” Rivera said, of returning to the area. “This position opened and it was a perfect fit.”
Rivera credits his predecessor for leaving things in such pristine condition upon Sanchez’ departure.
“I think they should make Mike a saint,” Rivera said. “He left with everything in place. It was so easy to start. I also have a great staff. Most of the teachers are veterans and were already on board with what I want to do.”
Rivera said that he has three goals for his new schools. First, he wants to see more students graduate with diplomas. Second, he wants to bring the students up to par in terms of reading, writing and mathematics – he wants every student working at grade level. Lastly, and most important, he wants students to enjoy being at school and being part of something.
“I really like seeing kids smile,” Rivera said. “I know we only have them here for three hours, but I want to make sure [the students] are getting three hours of teaching.”
