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The Livermore school district welcomed two new principals to school sites this fall along with five vice principals and five department directors at the district office.
Taking the campus helm at Jackson Avenue Elementary School is district newcomer Anna Ellerson. She replaced Tom Jones, who resigned for another principal position at the Oakley Union Elementary School District.
Meanwhile, former Junction Avenue TK-8 School vice principal Jeremy Vilkins rose to become principal of Lawrence Elementary School. He replaced Kristie Starkovich, who switched posts this fall to become the district’s coordinator of wellness and early education.
In email interviews with Livermore Vine, both Ellerson and Vilkins expressed excitement for their new roles as well as a shared goal of ensuring their school communities feel supported and students are enthusiastic about learning.
“One of the things I love most about being an elementary principal is that we have the opportunity to shape how children feel about school at such an important time in their lives,” Ellerson said. “I want our students to look back on their years at Jackson and remember that they were known, supported, challenged, and loved.”
Ellerson brings to Jackson Avenue helm over 25 years of experience in education, including 13 years as an elementary school principal, most recently in Turlock. She has also worked as an assistant principal, reading coach, English language development coordinator and elementary classroom teacher.
“Most importantly, my experience has taught me that relationships are at the heart of a successful school. Students need to know they are cared for, teachers need to feel supported and valued, and families need to know they are important partners in their child’s education,” she told Livermore Vine.
As Jackson Avenue’s new principal, Ellerson said she plans to listen and learn about the school while also building relationships.
“Children come to us with different strengths, experiences, and needs, and our responsibility is to make sure each child has the opportunity to grow,” she said. “I also want to continue strengthening schoolwide systems that support academics, behavior, attendance, and students’ social-emotional well-being.”
Ellerson is currently pursuing a doctorate in education.
A few miles away, Vilkins leads Lawrence Elementary.
He worked for the last nine years as a vice principal at Junction Avenue. Vilkins also worked for 14 years as a teacher.
While serving as vice principal at Junction Avenue, Vilkins worked with students and families of all ages, but he said he focused primarily on elementary education during the past five years.
As a Livermore resident, Vilkins said he looks forward to serving students and district families in his new role.
Lawrence Elementary is a Leader in Me Lighthouse School, he noted. The recognition is granted to schools with exemplary leadership culture and principles, according to the Leader in Me website by FranklinCovey Education, a global provider of educational programming.
“There is a strong foundation centered on student leadership, responsibility, and helping children recognize their own potential. I want to build upon that and continue creating a school environment where every student feels known, valued, supported, and challenged,” he said.
Vilkins intends to improve the efficiency and safety of drop-offs and pickups at Lawrence Elementary, a process he said has already begun among staff, families and the Livermore Police Department.
“Beyond that, I want to work with our staff and families to identify other areas where we can improve while also celebrating the many things Lawrence is already doing well.”
The school district this fall also introduced five vice principals across its campuses, according to a social media post Aug. 13 by LVJUSD officials.
Three of the new vice principals are at Livermore High School: former LHS teacher Brittany LeMay and district new hires Christy Chalfant and Stuart Briggs.
Jessica Stewart joined Junction Avenue as vice principal. She is a former teacher on special assignment.
New hire Matt Britten is the new vice principal of East Avenue Middle School.
“Strong leadership and deep relationships are at the heart of thriving school communities, and we are so excited to see the positive impact these leaders will have in supporting our students, staff, and families!” LVJUSD officials wrote on social media.
At the district-level, LVJUSD introduced former senior project manager Craig Lemos as interim bond director, new hire Jenilee Peñaflor as chief technology officer, former maintenance manager Rey Sanchez, Jr. as director of maintenance and operations, former ELO-P and magnet programs coordinator Jason Krolikowski as director of student services and former director of elementary education Chris Connor as director of TK-12 education, according to district officials on social media.
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