MEET our Administrators

Sherry Villaneda is starting her 27th year as an educator. She began at Salinas City Elementary School District as a volunteer in a 2nd grade classroom at University Park. She had the pleasure of student teaching in a 4/5th combo class at Monterey Park back in the 90's. She has experience in all grades K-6th but spent the majority of her career as a Kindergarten Teacher. She had been the Vice-Principal at Natividad for two years and Kammann for five years and is starting her fourth year as the proud Principal of Monterey Park Elementary.

She attended San Diego State for her undergraduate degree and earned her Teaching Credential, Administrative Credential and Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration through San Jose State University.

She was awarded Region 10's Co-Administrator of the Year through the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) in 2019 and she went on to win the ACSA Elementary Co-Adminstrator of the Year for the State of California in 2019.

In her spare time, Principal Villaneda enjoys bowling, board games, reading, traveling and taking family walks. She is passionate about education and looks forward to supporting the outstanding staff, students and families at Monterey Park.

Mr. Vargas has been in education for the last 20 years. As an undergraduate at CSU-Monterey Bay, he began his career in education as an instructional aide for the Salinas City Elementary School District. After receiving his B.A. degree in Liberal Studies, he began his teaching career with the Alisal Union School District where he taught at his alma mater elementary school, Fremont Elementary. For the last 16 years, Mr. Vargas has taught in the heart of East Salinas and developed many special relationships with students, their families and colleagues. He attributes these special relationships to his continued dedication to education.

As he fine-tuned his teaching, he realized he had more time to dedicate to himself. As a result, he enrolled in a graduate program at CSUMB, and in the spring of 2021, he was awarded his Masters Degree in Education Administration with a preliminary Administrative Services Credential.

Mr. Vargas returned to the SCESD, and he is excited and ready to serve this wonderful community and staff in his new role.

Mr. Vargas has four bicultural children, Mexican and Japanese. His daughter Bailey is a senior at UCLA and majoring in Environment Studies. His son Max is beginning his freshman year at UCI and majoring in Film and Media. His twin boys, Sam and Leo are starting middle school. He has a rescue dog, Emi.

In his spare time, Vice Principal Vargas enjoys spending time with his family, going on bike rides, taking leisurely walks, throwing the football around with his twin boys, playing board games, landscaping, and learning to cook Mexican and Japanese Cuisine.