By the Daily Post staff
Michael Jimenez, an educator with more than 30 years experience, has been named principal of Mountain View High School, replacing David Grissom, who will become commissioner of the California Interscholastic Federation’s Central Coast Section.
Jimenez began his career as a substitute teacher in the San Diego Unified School District and from there was a P.E. teacher, an instructor in the AVID college readiness program, a resource teacher, a dean of students, a vice principal at all school levels, and a high school principal. Since 2017, he has been the associate superintendent of secondary schools in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District in the East Bay.
“I want to help kids understand their learning potential and what they have to offer our global society,” Jimenez said in a statement from the Mountain View Los Altos School District announcing his appointment today (June 16). “I want to help parents and the community learn how to unleash the potential of our curious, open-minded, inspirational students. As an administrator of high school students, I have witnessed this potential and it is extremely inspiring and it drives me to help students succeed.”
“Plus, I just love working with teenagers – they are pure, real, fun, and motivating!” he added.
Jimenez comes to Mountain View High at a time when the school system and the entire community is grappling with the coronavirus pandemic.
“I come in mid-pandemic, and yes, while it means I may not have the opportunity to get to know students, staff, families, and the community in a way a new principal would typically do so, I am definitely planning to reach out to all of these stakeholders early on, and often, as I start building relationships,” said Jimenez. “I look forward to getting to know everyone, and hearing from students.”
Jimenez was born and raised in Oxnard, California, one of three children raised by parents who immigrated from Mexico to pursue a greater life for themselves and their family. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Education from San Diego State University, and a Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership from Point Loma Nazarene.
He and his wife, Anna, have two children. Their daughter Santana recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in political economics; their son Ben is attending Suffolk University in Madrid, Spain, pursuing a degree in political economics as well.
