Five New Area Superintendents Appointed to the San Diego Schools

In June 2006, Superintendent Carl Cohn appointed fiveHe holds a Ph.D. in educational administration from the
new area superintendents for the San Diego Schools.University of Texas at Austin, an MA in education
Each new area superintendent will be an advocate forfrom Texas Women's University, and a BA in theology
the schools under them, as well as the communities forfrom Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas.
these schools. They will be empowered to ensure thatAleman, who is proficient in Spanish, was the
the San Diego Schools have a fully enriched andassociate superintendent for teaching and learning at
competitive curriculum that recognizes the importancethe Isaac School District in Phoenix, Arizona. Previously,
of the educational basics, as well as the nearlyhe served as director of policies, procedures and public
forgotten art, music and physical education programs.information in the San Antonio Independent School
They will be responsible for expanding in their SanDistrict.
Diego Schools partnerships between parents, theIn addition to these five new appointments, the San
community, businesses and higher education. EachDiego Schools filled three other positions through
student is to be ensured as smooth a transition asrecent appointments.
possible for students and parents, especially in theDorothy Harper is the new associate superintendent
early years.for parent, community and student engagement.
These five appointments complete key staffing of topHarper earned her MA in education from Memphis
leadership positions in the San Diego Schools. Each ofState University and bachelor's degree in biology from
the five areas within the San Diego Schools will includeDillard University. Her experience includes vice
up to 25 elementary schools and their nearby middlepresident of development for the Newton Learning
schools.Supplemental Education Services, as well as area
The new area one superintendent is Carol Barry. Shesuperintendent, assistant superintendent, and deputy
earned an MA inn school administration from Azusasuperintendent at the Long Beach Unified School
Pacific University and a BA in liberal studies from SanDistrict. In her new position, Harper will work to establish
Diego State University. Before her appointment, Barrya comprehensive, consolidated system of support that
served as acting assistant superintendent for the Sanwill engage parents, the community, and students within
Diego Schools. Previously, she was the principal atthe San Diego Schools.
several San Diego Schools.Arun Ramanathan, an advanced doctoral fellow at
The area two superintendent is Dr. Hye Jung (Chelsea)Harvard, is the new executive director for
Kang-Smith. Kang-Smith holds an Ed.D. from thegovernmental relations. He earned an MA in special
University of Southern California, MS in education fromeducation and elementary education from Boston
California Southern University Fullerton, and her BS inCollege, and a BA in government from Dartmouth.
biology from the University of California Irvine.Prior to his appointment, Ramanathan was research
Kang-Smith came to the San Diego Schools in 2005,director for the Los Angeles Unified School District. He
where she first served as principal in Anaheim Unionwill serve as an advocate for the San Diego Schools
High School District and most recently as assistantto state legislators on issues and laws affecting the
superintendent.school district.
Dr. Richard Cansdale is the area three superintendent.Dr. Kyo Yamashiro is the San Diego Schools' new
He holds an Ed.D. in educational leadership from thedirector of school management. She holds a Ph.D.
United States International University, an Ed.S. fromfrom UCLA, which she received in June of 2006 as a
Point Loma Nazarene University, an MA in educationtop doctoral candidate. She earned an MA in
of exceptional children from San Francisco University,administration and policy analysis and a BA in English
and a BA in elementary education from the Universityliterature from Stanford University. Prior to her
of Nevada at Reno. Previously, Cansdale was theappointment, she was a research and evaluation
principal at Cherokee Point Elementary School in theconsultant for the Long Beach Unified School District. In
San Diego Schools.her new position, Yamashiro works with the School
The area four superintendent is Vincent Matthews,Choice programs, including charter schools, No Child
who was a 2006 fellow of the Broad Superintendent'sLeft Behind program improvement, and enrollment
Academy. He earned an MA in educationaloptions program - magnet schools and voluntary ethnic
administration and a BA in elementary education fromenrollment programs (VEEP) are included.
San Francisco State University. Before hisThese appointments excite the San Diego Schools. All
appointment, Matthews was an educator in residencewill serve well the more than 132,000 students in the
for the NewSchools Venture Fund in San Francisco.San Diego Schools, the second largest school district in
Prior to that, he was an advisor to 35 charter schoolsCalifornia. With more than 216 educational facilities,
that serves approximately 9,000 low-income students.these talented and motivated appointees will be a plus
Dr. Delfino Aleman, Jr. is the area five superintendent.for the San Diego Schools.