Rose, Russell new Assistant Principals welcomed by MUSD leaders

A pair of Milpitas Unified School District schools secured their leadership teams for the 2022-23 school year, with Emily DeLora-Ellefson joining Principal Sean Anglon at Thomas Russell Middle School and Ryan Startz joining Principal Nanci Pass at Alexander Rose Elementary School.

Both DeLora-Ellefson and Startz were introduced to the Milpitas community by Superintendent Cheryl Jordan after unanimous approval from the MUSD Board of Education at its June 28 meeting. The principals from each school site were in attendance to welcome their new admin colleagues.

DeLora-Ellefson spent the previous two years as a Special Education Program Manager with Morgan Hill Unified School District. She holds an Urban Education Leadership and Administrative Credential from CSU-East Bay and a M.A./M.S./M.ED. in Special Education from San Francisco State.

“What drew me to Milpitas in the first place is your culture of inclusion,” said DeLora-Ellefson, who learned of MUSD through interaction with Executive Director Mary Jude Doerpinghaus. “Tonight, I am just completely in awe and excited to begin this journey with your district.”

Startz, heading into her 18th year in education, comes to MUSD via the Mountain View Whisman School District, where she gained valuable experience as a Fifth Grade Team Leader as well as a Teacher On Special Assignment (TOSA) Instructional Coach at two different sites. She holds a M.A./M.S./M.ED. in Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University.

“I am absolutely honored and humbled to be chosen as the Assistant Principal at Rose Elementary School,” said Startz. “My leadership vision values the joyful education of the whole child through focusing on social-emotional growth, high expectations, and really celebrating the diversity of our community.”