Carla G. Hernández-Hermezian is honored to serve as Principal of James Lick High School. She has dedicated her career to supporting students, families, and educators in the East Side Union High School District, beginning as a science special education teacher and student advisor at Independence High School. Throughout her career, she has remained deeply committed to expanding opportunities for East Side's young leaders.

Carla began her administrative career as Dean of Students at Foothill High School before joining James Lick High School. During her three years as an associate principal at James Lick, she led efforts to strengthen student support systems, improve attendance and engagement, expand inclusive practices, and help students successfully navigate the college acceptance process. She also worked closely with students and staff to foster a school culture rooted in belonging, listening, and dreaming big.

As principal, Carla is committed to ensuring that every student at James Lick feels known, supported, challenged, and proud to be a Comet. She believes students thrive when schools provide rigorous and engaging learning experiences, meaningful opportunities to participate in school and community life, and clear pathways toward college, career, and life beyond high school beginning in their freshman year. She is especially passionate about helping young people discover their individual strengths and the power of working together, develop a sense of purpose, and believe that anything is possible for their futures.

Carla views families as essential partners in their students’ education and values open, honest, and consistent communication with the community. She values the expertise and voice of staff and is committed to creating meaningful opportunities for students, families, and employees to help shape the school’s direction. Carla believes that James Lick is strongest when students, families, staff, alumni, and community partners work together to create a safe, joyful, and inclusive school where every student can succeed.

Carla earned a Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Education in Special Education from Loyola Marymount University. She is also trained as a Circle Keeper through the National Compadres Network. Her leadership is grounded in strong relationships, restorative practices, equity, and care for the well-being of both students and staff. A proud Cuban-Honduran and first-generation college graduate, Carla understands the transformative power of education and is honored to lead the James Lick community into its next chapter.

Danette is excited to join James Lick High School as the Associate Principal of Administrative Services, where she will oversee family-school attendance partnerships, positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS), and community asset development. In her previous assignment as Associate Principal of Tiered Supports at Overfelt High School, Danette implemented the multi-tiered systems of support model for two years.

With 24 years of experience as a K-12 teacher and administrator, Danette Sokacich is a dedicated educational leader. Her approach is deeply informed by Paulo Freire, bell hooks, and Geneva Gay. By grounding education in cultural responsiveness and honoring students' lived experiences, Danette aims to cultivate critical thinkers equipped for personal and community liberation.

A recognized thought leader, Danette has shared her research and insights at prestigious forums such as the American Educational Research Association, the Mid-Western Educational Research Association, the National Association for Multicultural Education, and the Healthy Teen Network.

Her extensive academic background includes a B.A. in History from The George Washington University and an M.S.Ed. in Childhood Education from CUNY-Lehman College, which she earned while serving as a New York City Teaching Fellow. 

Passionate about equity and leadership, she also holds an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Northeastern Illinois University and a certificate in Latino Studies in Secondary Education from Illinois College. Most recently, she completed the Bilingual Leadership Fellowship at Santa Clara University, diving deep into the research, policy, curriculum, and data analytics that help bilingual learners thrive.

When she isn't active in her school community, Danette enjoys cooking, museum-going, coffee and tea tastings, and swimming in any body of water she can find—from local pools to rivers, lakes, and oceans.

José Solís was born in Michoacán, México, and immigrated to the United States as a teenager. He graduated from James Lick High School and later from San José State University. 

Mr. Solís started his teaching career at a charter school in East San José. In 2017, he joined ESUHSD as a teacher at MPHS where he taught English, Spanish, and ELD to newcomer English learners.  He also took on the roles of ELD subject area coordinator and EL TOSA at the district office.  

Most recently, Mr. Solís served at the APTSS at Silver Creek High School.  

Among his many goals, one is to support his community.  He is a great believer in the idea that one should go out, get an education, and return to empower and transform East San José.