Petaluma City Schools is pleased to welcome several new site administrators who bring their own unique skills as well as a wealth of experience to our district. Returning to the position of Assistant Principal of PCS Adult School, a position she held from 2007-2009, Nancy Emanuele brings a TK-12 perspective, having most recently served as Assistant Principal at Petaluma Junior High, but also having worked with parents and students in programs such as Ready for Kindergarten and Pasitos. In addition, she taught in the Adult Education program for twenty-four years. When asked about her return to Adult School, Nancy said, “I am very excited to serve Petaluma community families as returning Petaluma Adult School assistant principal. Our programs serve students and families from Pre-K through adults of all ages, and I am looking forward to using my district relationships and varied experience from adult education and middle school administration to support all of our learners.”

Joining the administrative team at Petaluma High School is Giovani Napoli. Giovani moved to this area a year ago when he joined the teaching staff at Casa Grande High School. Gio’s vast teaching experience has included elementary through high school as well as extensive experience coaching high school and middle school sports. Gio states, ”In my experience as a teacher, I have had the privilege of working at multiple schools and districts, each offering a world view and understanding of what it takes to be successful in education. I have coached football for 9 years and have taught P.E. and Leadership for 10 years. My experiences in the Central Valley and most recently at Casa Grande have led me to the opportunity of being an Assistant Principal. I love working in this district and I couldn't resist the opportunity to be a leader on campus. I look forward to working with the Trojan staff and students, and to continue the excellence of Petaluma High School.”

Stefanie Schaeffer is the new assistant principal at Petaluma Junior High School. In addition to her extensive middle and junior high school experience, Stefanie, who is fluent in Spanish, also taught kindergarten in Sonora, Mexico. In addition, she has several years of prior school administrative experience. When asked what she is most looking forward to at Petaluma Junior High School she states, “I’m looking forward to working with what I'm coming to know as a welcoming and supportive group of professionals at both district and site levels as well as enjoying the PJHS kids and families from both town and country!”

Recently selected as assistant principal at Casa Grande High School is Dan Ostermann. A transplant from Los Angeles, where he served as Program Director at Sotomayor Learning Academies, he also has many years of teaching experience in music as well as working in the private sector as a program designer, guest artist instructor and artist in residence at various non-profits in California and Oregon. As a new member of both the PCS and Petaluma communities, Dan says, “I am so excited to join Petaluma City Schools as an Assistant Principal at Casa Grande High School. The team at Casa is wonderful and the community is a gem. I am also very excited to live in Sonoma County, a place of majestic beauty, with my wife and son Theodore. I can't wait to meet the students!”

Lauri Anderson, recently selected as Principal of McDowell Elementary School, has relocated back home to Sonoma County from San Diego, where she served as an instructional coach, math intervention specialist and associate principal. When asked about the upcoming year Lauri states, "I am settling in and getting excited for a wonderful year at McDowell Elementary! The teachers, with over a century of teaching experience between them, are collaborating to ensure we engage all students in meaningful learning experiences this year. As a passionate instructional leader, I will be thrilled to highlight my teachers' strengths, especially in the areas of supporting students with special needs and providing rich academic language instruction throughout the day. I look forward to drawing on my experience as a founding administrator of a start-up charter school to communicate with students' families, the surrounding neighborhood, and the greater Petaluma community about all the wonderful and unique things happening on McDowell's campus! "

Petaluma City Schools is fortunate to have these exceptional educational leaders join the administrative team in our school community.

Contributed by Linda Scheele, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources