New Principals To Start In Temecula Valley Unified Next Week

The following is a news release from the Temecula Valley Unified School District:

As the Temecula Valley Unified School District (TVUSD) prepares to welcome students back to school next week, we are proud to introduce three new Principals to the ranks, and announce the appointment of a Co-Principal at Great Oak High School.

Former Red Hawk Elementary Principal Marc Horton was named Co-Principal of Great Oak High School on July 1. Mr. Horton and GOHS Co-Principal Keith Moore have already been hard at work this summer preparing for the year ahead.

Mr. Horton’s departure from Red Hawk Elementary left a vacancy which was filled by Lelani Russi, whose appointment was approved by the TVUSD Governing Board on July 16. Mrs. Russi comes to TVUSD from the Murrieta Valley Unified School District (MVUSD) where she most recently served as Assistant Principal at Dorothy McElhinney Middle School. Mrs. Russi taught 2nd and 3rd grades for five years in MVUSD prior to becoming Assistant Principal. Before that, she taught for two years in the Capistrano Unified School District. 

Kelly Gradstein has been appointed Principal of Paloma Elementary School. Mrs. Gradstein is a familiar face in the District, having taught at French Valley Elementary School for the past seven years. Mrs. Gradstein replaces former Paloma Principal, Katie Johnson who retired in June. 

Prior to coming to TVUSD, Mrs. Gradstein taught in Detroit, MI and Atlanta, GA. She has taught both general education and special education classes. Mrs. Gradstein holds two Masters Degrees, one in Educational Leadership & Administration and the other in Special Education. While teaching at French Valley Elementary, she served as a Grade Level Leader, Administrative Designee in her Principal’s absence and she participated in TVUSD’s Instructional Leadership Academy.

At the end of the 2012/13 school year, former Temecula Valley High School Principal Dr. Richard Lawrence announced his departure for a leadership position at a high school in Washington D.C. Replacing Dr. Lawrence is Allen Williams who comes to TVUSD from the Escondido Union High School District (EUHSD). Since 2007, Mr. Williams served as Assistant Principal at EUHSD. Prior to his administrative post at EUHSD, he taught AP U.S. History, World History, Economics and Government in the Oceanside Unified School District. 

During his tenure at El Camino High School in Oceanside, Mr. Williams served as Dean of Students, Cooperating/Master Teacher and WASC Chairperson. He also served as Director of Associate Student Body at James Monroe Jr. High School in Oceanside. 

Mr. Williams has served as an adjunct Professor for Concordia University and Mira Costa Community College in Oceanside. 

All three new Principals have officially started their new positions and will welcome students back to school on Wednesday, August 14th.