Transitions
September 16, 2024
Advocate Bill Tschida retired from ACSA on August 30 after 24 years serving as a part-time advocate. He provided legal assistance to 2,690 members during that time, helping to protect their due process rights.
Alayna Effinger has been named the new Principal of Charter Oak Unified School District’s Adult Education program.
Before being selected for her new role, Effinger was the Principal at Ben Lomond Elementary School in Covina, Calif. Previously, she also served as Assistant Principal, Dean of Students, and Educational Specialist at Covina Valley Unified School District and Educational Specialist at Walnut Valley Unified School District. Effinger has a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University. She earned her master’s degree in Special Education from American Military University and holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Eastern Nazarene College.
Effinger has spent her career championing continuous improvement in educational accessibility and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for adult learners
Steve Johnson retired in March 2024 as the Facilities Director Region North in Los Angeles Unified School District. Johnson recently earned his master’s degree and is currently pursuing his doctorate. Johnson has served on the planning committee for ACSA’s Classified Educational Leaders Institute in addition to being Region 16’s representative on the Council of Classified Educational Leaders for over five years. Johnson worked on the Region 16’s Membership Committee and enthusiastically promoted ACSA membership with classified managers in LAUSD.
Victor Gonzalez retired from the Los Angeles Unified School District on Sept. 1, 2024 as the district’s Migrant Education Program Coordinator. Gonzalez, who holds a Doctorate of Education from USC, and a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from California State University, also previously served as President of ACSA Region 16 and as an ACSA Board Member.
Whittier Union High School District has announced the hiring of two new principals: Shana Jones, California High School principal, and Andres Favela, Whittier High School principal.
Jones has served as Cal High’s assistant principal of curriculum and instruction for the last two years, after six years as assistant principal of guidance and counseling. Prior to that role, Jones spent a decade as a biology teacher at La Serna High School, where she was recognized as the Delta Kappa Gamma Teacher of the Year in 2011 and La Serna Teacher of the Year in 2016.
Favela brings nearly 25 years of experience as a teacher and administrator, including the last six years as principal of James A. Garfield High School in East Los Angeles. Favela also served as the top administrator for San Antonio and Ford Boulevard elementary schools.
Favela replaces former Whittier High principal Tim Liggett, who was recently named Whittier Union’s Director of Assessment and Accountability.
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