Magdalena Moore, Principal
Dear Jeanne R. Meadows School Community,
My name is Magdalena Moore and it continues to be an honor to serve as the Principal of Jeanne R. Meadows School. As a parent and educator, this is a significant responsibility and one that I am very excited to have. Our mission at Jeanne R. Meadows School is to expose students to a rigorous curriculum that focuses on critical thinking in order to prepare them to be perseverant in solving problems. Failure will be honored as part of the learning process, with a focus on continuous improvement. Literacy and mathematics through technology and science will be focus areas for learning.
I began my career in Franklin-McKinley School District as a first grade teacher at McKinley Elementary. I taught first grade for four years and then taught fourth and then fifth grade. My passion was always to ensure no student slipped through the cracks under my watch. As much as I loved being in the classroom and having the direct connection with student learning, I left McKinley in my 6th year to become a new teacher advisor and actually worked with new teachers at Meadows, as well as Shirakawa, Stonegate and McKinley. After two years, I took my first management position as Coordinator of English Language Development for Franklin-McKinley School District. A couple of years later I moved on to become the Assistant Principal of Sylvandale Middle School. I was only there one year before moving on to become the Principal of Meadows Elementary. I quickly realized I found a rare gem and a new family here at Meadows. Im in my sixth year at Meadows and still love coming to work each day.
As much as the field education is a natural fit for me, I didn't grow up thinking I would be an educator one day. I actually graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of California in Irvine. I thought I wanted to be a doctor. When I graduated, I realized, it wasn't medicine that was calling me but I wanted to make a difference in the world somehow. I moved home and began as a substitute teacher in Franklin-McKinley and realized I found my calling. Even though I had never had a single course in teaching, when I landed in a long-term substitute position of 24 students and saw those little faces looking at me to help them get their life on the right path, I knew I could do this forever. At the time there was a teacher shortage, so I was hired on an emergency credential while I completed by coursework at San Jose State University. After a few years, my principal at the time, Aurora Garcia, encouraged me to get my administrator credential as I was always involved in leadership and systems change work with her. I received my both my credential in educational administration and Masters in Educational Leadership from Cal State East Bay.
On a personal note, I've been married more than a decade and we have a brilliant, hilarious son that keeps us on our toes each day along with a stepdaughter and stepson that are working their way through becoming adults. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time by the ocean and realizing how blessed I am.
Finally, a note about mentorship and role models. I wouldn't be me if it weren't for the strength of my mother, Paula Jimenez. She immigrated from Mexico when she was twelve and although she wasn't afforded the opportunities I had in my life, she knew education was the key to success so she raised my sister and I as a single mother with a no excuses, perseverant attitude. She taught me life doesn't owe you anything, if you want something you better be willing to work for it and on top of that as a woman and minority, you better be willing to work twice as hard. Because of her and other mentors in my life, I am able to live the life I not only dreamed, but worked for. As principal of Meadows, that's the message I aim to send to our kids. They can be anything they want to be...if they work for it. Please feel free to come by and say hello in the office or call us at 408.283.6300 during regular school hours. You are always welcome to e-mail me at: [email protected]. Again, I am honored to be the principal at Meadows where everyone is a family and look forward to working with all of you during the year.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Magdalena Moore