Meerkat Mob Members,
As LGMA's Executive Director, who essentially serves as the school's lead Principal and more, it is an honor to work with our astounding scholars and families. You make me proud. You make me smile. You inspire me to learn more about this wonderful world we live in. And, I sincerely hope and believe that our LGMA teachers and staff can and will instill the same feelings in each and every one of you. As a virtual academy, we believe that we can teach everything that students learn in traditional classrooms. At the same time, we know that we can also help invigorate our scholars and families towards caring, preparing, and leading our community, city, nation, and world into an even better future.
I am excited for our new school year. From new events to continued positive experiences, I know we are going into our 3rd year of existence with a sense of strength, flare, and curiosity. With a mixture of quality hybrid and online learning experiences, I truly look forward to embarking upon this journey together.
Como siempre, Sigamos Adelante! - Like always, let’s move forward!
Meet Esther Pérez
Executive Director of Larry G. Meeks Virtual Academy and Alternative Learning Program
BIOGRAPHY
Growing up in a farm town in Central California and being the first in her family to graduate from a university, Esther Perez, Ed.D. always understood education was a gateway to open doors, overcome obstacles, and achieve your dreams. “I always wanted to help people, and I saw education as the best way to set me free and to get out of poverty,” Perez explains. She brings this positive and determined outlook as the Executive Director of Natomas Unified School District’s TK-8 Larry G. Meeks Academy (virtual academy) and Alternative Learning Program for 9th-12th grades. LGMA is an innovative option for students to learn, thrive, and excel in a virtual environment while the ALP is equally impressive as an online, independent study-like program for high school students.
After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego, Perez began her career in education as a teacher in Los Angeles. She taught multiple subjects in a special day class setting. After obtaining a masters degree in Special Education from Loyola Marymount University (LMU), she became a Resource Specialist. After nearly 10 years of teaching, she then took on various roles such as Special education director, Executive Director, Principal, and even Assistant Director at the college level helping new teachers earn their credentials and as an adjunct faculty member. Her most recent position includes Principal of a K-8 school in Stockton and Executive Director & Principal of a college preparatory public charter school, where she is accredited for helping to turnaround the once struggling charter school and for it becoming one of the higher performing charter middle schools for students with special needs and English Language learners in the city.
As the Executive Director of the NUSD Virtual Academy and Alternative Learning Program, she hopes to improve the educational outcomes of all students through creative instructional experiences, true collaboration, empowering dialogue, and critical reflection.
Her favorite past-time is spending time with her dogs, gardening, and listening to a variety of music. She is honored and thrilled to join the Natomas Unified family.