June 5, 2004: Headlines: COS - Marshall Islands: Secondary Education: Times Standard: David Moss, 58, began his teaching career in the Republic of the Marshall Islands of the South Pacific while serving in the Peace Corps

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Marshall Islands: Peace Corps Marshall Islands : The Peace Corps in the Marshall Islands: June 5, 2004: Headlines: COS - Marshall Islands: Secondary Education: Times Standard: David Moss, 58, began his teaching career in the Republic of the Marshall Islands of the South Pacific while serving in the Peace Corps

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-151-196-45-115.balt.east.verizon.net - 151.196.45.115) on Sunday, June 06, 2004 - 10:54 pm: Edit Post

David Moss, 58, began his teaching career in the Republic of the Marshall Islands of the South Pacific while serving in the Peace Corps

David Moss, 58, began his teaching career in the Republic of the Marshall Islands of the South Pacific while serving in the Peace Corps

David Moss, 58, began his teaching career in the Republic of the Marshall Islands of the South Pacific while serving in the Peace Corps

Incoming Fortuna superintendent looks ahead

By Sara Watson Arthurs The Times-Standard

FORTUNA -- The tasks ahead include hiring a principal and dean of students, then learning more about unification, all within weeks of taking the helm of a new school district -- but David Moss says he's excited about the transition.

Moss, principal of De Anza High School in Richmond, has been hired as superintendent of Fortuna Union High School District. He replaces Dennis Hanson, who is retiring after 23 years.

"I look forward to the challenge of being in charge of a small, very successful school district," Moss said.

He said he expects some culture shock arriving in Fortuna from the West Contra Costa Unified School District, where De Anza is one of six comprehensive high schools. But he said being superintendent of a smaller district has been a longtime career goal. Moss said he is familiar with the North Coast, having served as principal of Mendocino High School in the 1990s.

Principal Marty Mathiesen and Dean of Students Don Boyd are also leaving Fortuna High for other positions this summer.

"It's a total coincidence," Boyd said. "It wasn't a mass exodus or anything."

He will become assistant principal of Upper Lake High School in Lake County. Boyd, a Fortuna High alumnus who counts two childhood friends among the teaching staff, said the transition is bittersweet.

"The school's in good shape," he said. "We've got a great staff, so I don't think they're going to miss a beat."

Moss, 58, began his teaching career in the Republic of the Marshall Islands of the South Pacific while serving in the Peace Corps. He has also worked in Haiti and in Wheatland. He has been principal of De Anza, his alma mater, since 1997.

He said he has had the chance to meet only a few of the teachers so far. Moss said he's impressed with Fortuna's well-rounded successes, not only its test scores but its athletic and Future Farmers of America programs.

The high school district is considering unification with the Fortuna Union Elementary and Rohnerville school districts. Moss said he is aware the process is under way and that he wants to learn more about local concerns and hear ideas.

Moss and his wife, an elementary school principal, plan to move to Humboldt County the last weekend of June.

School board President Tom Bess said the district hopes to have a principal on board by around June 25, and a dean of students shortly after that. Moss said he will be reviewing résumés while still in Richmond.

"I'm looking forward to finding good people and supporting them as they take over their positions," he said.




Some postings on Peace Corps Online are provided to the individual members of this group without permission of the copyright owner for the non-profit purposes of criticism, comment, education, scholarship, and research under the "Fair Use" provisions of U.S. Government copyright laws and they may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner. Peace Corps Online does not vouch for the accuracy of the content of the postings, which is the sole responsibility of the copyright holder.

Story Source: Times Standard

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Marshall Islands; Secondary Education

PCOL11791
28

.


Add a Message


This is a public posting area. Enter your username and password if you have an account. Otherwise, enter your full name as your username and leave the password blank. Your e-mail address is optional.
Username:  
Password:
E-mail: