Administrators start jobs Aug. 22
Morgan Hill – El Toro Elementary, Paradise Valley and Britton Middle will have new principals when school opens Aug. 22.
Morgan Hill Unified School District Assistant Superintendent Stan Rose announced the new appointments during last Tuesday’s meeting lauding the administrators for their qualifications and accomplishments.
Patrick Buchser will serve as principal of El Toro, following the retirement of Kathleen Masner, who was principal there for four years.
Buchser comes from Santa Clara Unified School District, where he spent three years as an assistant principal and three years as school principal. He taught grades 3-8 and was also a mentor teacher. He has a master’s degree in educational administration and a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from San Jose State University.
“Patrick would describe himself as a homegrown guy, as he grew up in the Santa Clara Valley in the farming community,” Rose said. “He has a strong belief that it is imperative for the entire educational community to work collaboratively to ensure the success of its students and the school.”
Carol Coursey brings 25 years of experience to her new job as principal at Britton Middle School. Rose said she was recently named Co-Administrator of the Year for 2006 by the Association of California School Administrators.
“She is known to be student-centered, focusing on improving student achievement while working collaboratively with staff to promote district educational goals,” Rose said.
Coursey began her career as a classroom volunteer, Rose said, later serving as a math teacher at the elementary and middle school levels, a counselor and an assistant principal.
She earned her master’s degree and administrative credential from San Jose State University and her bachelor’s degree in American studies and math from San Francisco State University.
Kathy Kelley will take over as principal at Paradise Valley Elementary after the retirement of Donna Loose.
“Ms. Kelley comes to the district with a breadth of experience, having worked with elementary, middle and high school-aged students,” Rose said.
While in the Cupertino School District, Kelley served as a vice principal, curriculum coordinator, lead teacher, department chair and district resource teacher for language arts. She presented workshops on literature based on kindergarten through eighth-grade language-arts standards while serving on the board of the Santa Clara County Reading Council.
Kelley also co-authored a $1.3 million federal technology grant which was used to support special education students in general education language arts classes.
