SUNNYVALE, CA — June 12, 2024 — Congratulations and welcome to the Sunnyvale School District’s new principals and assistant principals!

Manny Villalpando - Principal, Vargas Elementary

Manny Villalpando has accepted the position of Principal of Vargas Elementary School starting in the 2024-2025 school year. Mr. Villalpando joins the District as an experienced educational leader with eleven years of school site administration experience. During his career, he has served as an elementary school principal in the Oak Grove School District and the Roseville City School District, and most recently as a middle school principal in the Alum Rock School District. He also possesses nine years of teaching and other site leadership roles, including as a New Teacher Induction Support Provider and developing professional development around mathematical practices.

Mr. Villalpando received his teaching credential from the National Hispanic University and his Master’s in Educational Leadership from San José State University. He replaces Principal Kathryn Armstrong. We thank Kathryn for her eight years of service as an outstanding, caring, and committed leader at Vargas Elementary School!

Kelly Mack - Assistant Principal, Cumberland

Dr. Kelly Mack is a passionate and transformative educator promoting racial justice and inclusion in education. Kelly has more than 20 years of experience across PK-12 schools and institutes of higher education, consistently championing equity-focused and critically reflective practices and contributing research to equity in education. Throughout her career, she has spearheaded intergroup dialogues to foster a culture of mutual respect and partnership. Kelly's positive approach to mentorship has helped cultivate antiracist educators and enhance culturally responsive teaching practices.

As a classroom teacher, her educational interventions, based on student assessment and interests, have proven instrumental in increasing student literacy and English language skills. Additionally, Kelly was recognized for her exceptional teaching contributions, including being awarded Middle School Teacher of the Year in 2018 by Campbell Union School District, receiving the District SPIRIT Award for Integrity in 2011 from Franklin-McKinley School District (FMSD), and being honored as Elementary Teacher of the Year in 2006 at Dahl Elementary, FMSD.

Outside of school, Kelly enjoys reading, roller skating, chasing down frisbees, and hiking with her dog. Driven by her enthusiasm for collaboration and unwavering commitment to educational equity, Dr. Kelly Mack looks forward to partnering with the Cumberland Elementary community to provide every student with a fulfilling academic, social, and emotional learning experience within a student-centered educational environment.

Stephanie Malcolm - Assistant Principal, Ellis Elementary

Stephanie Malcolm will be the next Assistant Principal of Ellis Elementary School. She is an experienced school administrator in the Sunnyvale School District and has served as the Assistant Principal of Sunnyvale Middle School for the past six years. Stephanie has over 14 years of experience working in education and began her career as a substitute special education para-educator in the District. Since that time, she has served as a Special Day Class (SDC) Teacher, Resource Specialist, and Instructional Coach, before moving into administration. Stephanie replaces Lara Burenin. We thank Lara for her two years of leadership as Assistant Principal!

Allison Crawford - Assistant Principal, Sunnyvale Middle School

Allison is an experienced school administrator and is currently the Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction at Gunderson High School in San Jose, where she has served for the past four years. Allison has over 13 years of experience working in education and experienced student teaching in elementary school in San Luis Obispo. The majority of her career has been spent at the middle school level with the Oak Grove School District in San Jose where she taught 7th and 8th grade Mathematics, as well as served as a middle school Instructional Coach for four years. She aspires to support and implement best instructional practices and policies that provide the school the opportunity to be a safe and rigorous learning environment for all students. In her spare time, she loves to travel, play card games, watch the 49ers, and listen to music! Allison was born and raised in Claremont, California and then attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for her Bachelor’s degree and teaching credentials. She completed her M.A. in Educational Administration from Concordia University.

About the Sunnyvale School District (Or an additional paragraph about your school)

The Sunnyvale School District’s mission is to provide every student with a strong foundation of academic, behavioral, and social-emotional skills to prepare them for success in a diverse, challenging and changing world. Thus, every school in the District provides a safe environment and rich opportunities for children to thrive. The district is guided by its Strategic Plan based on its core belief in students, outstanding teachers and administrators, collaborative planning, fiscal responsibility, and dedication to providing personalized instruction that meet individual students’ needs. The Sunnyvale School District operates a comprehensive preschool program, eight elementary schools and two middle schools in the heart of the Santa Clara Valley. www.sesd.org