Establishing a collaborative environment amongst staff to allow students to reach their highest potential is what new Live Oak High School principal Maria Reitano has set out to do in the 2017-18 school year.
And she’s also an avid high school sports fan who plans to be visible at after-school activities.
“My passion is around ensuring we have the highest level of instruction possible and I believe very strongly that teachers are key to do that,” said Reitano as she only began to decorate and organize the LOHS principal’s office July 11. “Everything I do is in service to the students and families.”
It is a homecoming of sorts for the Soquel High School alumna who spent seven years in Bucks County, Penn. as a teacher, literacy coach, assessment coordinator and administrator before returning to her home state three years ago.
“I want to make sure the right systems are in place, the right focus is in place and the very best programs for kids are in place,” Reitano said. “And I feel fortunate to be stepping in here at Live Oak where a lot of those things are already in place.”
Reitano spent the last three years working with the nonprofit New Teacher Center in Santa Cruz, where she helped provide coaching support for new principals as director of the new administrator program. She also worked with school and district leaders to implement effective collaboration and professional learning communities. The goal was “to make sure they were using time effectively in supporting teachers to maximize student learning,” she explained.
Reitano earned her EdD in school leadership with a focus on teacher collaboration and professional learning at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.
“I’ve been in education for nearly 20 years and most of that was spent in schools as a teacher and instructional coach,” said Reitano, who was a “house” principal in charge of 650 students in Bucks County prior to the move back west. “I really missed being around students, teachers and parents. I wanted to be closer to where things happen for kids and families. I missed that.”
Reitano, who resides in Watsonville, is married 26 years and has three children—the youngest one in high school. Her husband works at UC Santa Cruz. Reitano started her teaching career at Watsonville High School in the Pajaro Valley School District.
“I can’t wait to get to know the staff, students, parents and community,” said Reitano, who has done her homework on the Acorns. “Live Oak has an amazing tradition and history and community.”
