Dear SVUSD Community, 

As summer break comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to introduce some new hires and reintroduce key staff members who will play an important role in leading our district and supporting our schools in the year ahead.

Setting the Bar High at the District Level

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Esmeralda Sanchez Moseley back to Sonoma Valley Unified as Associate Superintendent for Educational Services, where she leads curriculum and instruction across the district. Many of you remember Dr. Sanchez Moseley fondly from her 12 years leading Flowery Elementary School. Since then, she has served as Director of Educational Services for Petaluma City Schools and, most recently, spent three years as Assistant Superintendent of Student Services there.

We feel just as fortunate to welcome Whitney Cottrell to lead our Human Resources department. Before joining us last month, Ms. Cottrell served as Principal of San Ramon Valley High School and, more recently, as Principal of Kenilworth Junior High School in Petaluma. She brings a strong background in leadership, instructional innovation, and student support to the role.

Together, they join an exceptional district leadership team that includes several familiar faces whose experience, dedication, and commitment to our students and schools continue to be invaluable: Troy Knox, Director of Special Education; Chrissy Waters, Coordinator of Special Education; and Amber Williams, Coordinator of Educational Services. We are fortunate to have this talented group working together to support our staff, strengthen our schools, and serve students and families across the district.

Leading the Way on Our School Campuses

Our new school leadership team now includes Sonoma Valley Middle School Principal Adam Dysart, Flowery Principal Jim Evans, and El Verano Principal Norma Oregon.

Principal Dysart joins us from Kingston Middle School in Washington's North Kitsap School District, where he served as principal for the past three years. During that time, he worked closely with two tribal communities and helped build a stronger sense of belonging among students, staff, and families. Before that, he was Assistant Principal at Ruamrudee International School in Thailand and Principal of Highland Park Elementary School in Seattle.

Flowery will be led by Principal Evans, who spent the past 17 years teaching and serving as an administrator in dual-immersion programs across the Ukiah Unified and Cloverdale Unified School Districts.

At El Verano, Norma Oregon joined us last month after serving as Associate Principal at San Pedro Elementary School in San Rafael and, before that, six years as Principal of Tomales Elementary School. A bilingual and bicultural educator, she brings deep experience supporting multilingual learners, strengthening literacy instruction, and partnering with teachers to improve student outcomes.

These new leaders join an outstanding group of returning principals and vice principals whose experience, relationships, and dedication are a tremendous asset to our district: Sassarini Principal Megan Russell, Sonoma Valley Middle School Vice Principal Sarah March, Creekside High School Principal Liz Liscum, Sonoma Valley High School Principal Molly Kiss, and Sonoma Valley High School Vice Principals Amanda Dowdy and Paul Schloesser. Together, this talented team will lead our schools, support our staff, and help ensure every student feels known, supported, and challenged to succeed.

Getting Ready for Monday, August 17

As I begin my first school year as Superintendent, it's clear to me that we've brought together an exceptional group of educators and leaders, both on our campuses and in the district office. 

I've met one-on-one and as a group with this entire team, and I can say with real confidence that the energy in the district has been unmistakable: optimism, dedication, and a shared determination to make Sonoma Valley Unified and every one of our school campuses a place of joy, learning, and measurable student success.

We can't wait to welcome our students back on Monday.

 

Dr. Jason Sutter, Superintendent

Sonoma Valley Unified School District