MUSD shines today and into the future

I have been committed to Milpitas Unified since 1989, and in these 30 years I've had the honor of working with our team in creating, refining and building successful programs and practices. I take pride in knowing that I had a part in hiring a great number of our district’s current employees who have contributed to our academic and community success, and many of whom are our MUSD graduates. Forever learning is a way of life in MUSD, affording us the ability to be the first in many aspects of education.

MUSD is an exceptional district where innovation is nurtured by a community of learners willing to take risks that will propel us in our quest to be the best in the nation. Since becoming Superintendent in 2016, WE as a community have established five Strategic Goals that have resulted in more personalized pathways for learners such as dual enrollment, the Mattos Learning Community model, MHS 9th grade transition program, Bio-tech, Cal Hills PLTW engineering & robotics, and elementary school Project Based Learning teams. We have garnered over $20.6 million in federal, state, and local grants, and established partnerships to further students’ learning experiences such as: Manufacturing Day with the City of Milpitas and Chamber of Commerce; NextFlex and Evergreen Community College; KLA, GirlStart and Facing History; Silicon Valley Education Foundation; South Bay Consortium for Adult Education; and our Milpitas service groups – Lions, Rotary, and Kiwanis. Our students, clubs, team members, and schools have won awards such as the MHS Thespian Award in Edinburgh, Milpitas Science Olympiad, Speech & Debate, two CA State Football Championships, WBA Grand Champion Band Finalist, Rose and Curtner Elementary CA Distinguished Schools, Cal Hills CA Model Continuation School, Rancho Blue Ribbon and National Schools to Watch awards, and the CA School Boards Golden Bell Award for our Love 4 Literacy program. 

I look forward to the fruition of the seeds of evolution that have begun, WE have so much more to accomplish in meeting our Strategic Goals. These are a few of our projects we are working on this year: a middle college high school; Stanford Model for Virtual Design Construction Engineering; implementation of the K12 Computer Science standards; a new ethnic studies pathway with Facing History and Ourselves; more internships through our bond work, the City, and business partners; and furthering our Love 4 Literacy work. 

How we hold the cultures, histories, and experiences of our students and team members in our work enables us to make greater strides in achieving success. WE have made a commitment to deepening Cultural Sustainability in MUSD through accountability, professional learning, community discussions, restorative practices, inclusion, and ethnic celebrations. Establishing a community of learners is not easy, and through perseverance, trust, and our commitment to one another WE are building a Culture of WE.