August 24, 2018
By Kelli Gile, Office of Community Resources
WALNUT, CA—The Walnut Valley Unified School District is pleased to announce the following administrative appointments: Dr. Resma Byrne – Director of Educational Projects and Assessments; Jennifer Alcazar – Principal, Castle Rock Elementary; Sandra Lee – Principal, Westhoff Elementary; Matthew Brummett – Assistant Principal, Suzanne Middle School; Lam Bui – Information Technology Manager; Sarah Ammon – Coordinator of Special Education; Denise Loera – Instructional Dean – Diamond Bar High School; and Julie Galindo – Instructional Dean – Diamond Bar High School.
Education veteran Dr. Resma Byrne has been named director of educational projects and assessments. Byrne served as Castle Rock Elementary principal for the past four years. Prior to that, she was assistant principal at Clara Barton Elementary in the Corona Norco USD and a teacher in the Montclair USD. She is also an adjunct professor at California State University, Pomona. She holds a bachelor’s degree from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, master’s degrees from Cal State University, San Bernardino and California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and doctoral degree in educational leadership from California State University, Fullerton. Byrne succeeds Jacqueline Brown who was named interim assistant superintendent of educational services.
The Board of Trustees appointed two new school leaders with extensive experience during the summer. Jennifer “Jen” Alcazarwas named the new principal at Castle Rock Elementary. During her career in Walnut Valley, she served as assistant principal at Chaparral Middle School and principal of the Walnut Valley Institute of STEAM and Humanities. She was also a science teacher and technology coach at Chaparral for nine years. Prior to that, she spent a decade working with University of California, Irvine facilitating professional development offerings in technology and science for K-12 teachers. She also taught science in the Santa Ana Unified School District. Alcazar earned a bachelor of science degree from Loyola Marymount University, master of arts degree from Concordia University, and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree. She is married with two children that attended Castle Rock Elementary, Chaparral Middle School, and Diamond Bar High.
Sandra Lee was approved to take the helm as the new principal at Westhoff Elementary. This accomplished educator brings over 12 years education experience to her new post and comes highly recommended by administrators, teachers, and support staff. Most recently, Lee served as the director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment in Aspire Public Schools in Los Angeles. Some of her additional educational experiences include being an elementary principal for five years, a lead literacy specialist and Response to Intervention coordinator, and has taught multiple grade levels. Lee earned bachelor of science, master of science degree, K-12 Literacy specialist credential from California State University, Fullerton, along with her K-12 literacy specialist credential and administration credential. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in education focusing on common core standard of complex text. She is married with a daughter. Lee succeeds Denise Rendon who retired in May after a 33-year career in Walnut Valley USD.
Matthew Brummettwas named assistant principal at Suzanne Middle School. He brings eight years of educational experience, all at Diamond Bar High School, to his new post. Brummett served as instructional dean and assistant summer school coordinator for the past three years. Prior to that, he was a social studies teacher for five years. He also coordinated SBAC testing and co-wrote a WASC accreditation application. Additionally, he served as girls head varsity soccer coach for five years. Brummett earned bachelor of arts and master of arts degrees from University of California, Irvine. He is married to a Diamond Bar High grade level coordinator and they have one daughter.
Lam Bui was approved asinformation technology manager. Bui brings 20 years of experience in the field of technology to his new position. He previously served as database engineer in Walnut Valley for two years. During that time, he successfully managed the process of converting the student information and student assessment systems. He was previously a claims analyst and senior IT specialist at Construction Program Group. He earned a bachelor of science degree from California State University, Los Angeles. Bui is married with two children that attend Walnut Valley schools.
Sarah Ammon brings 17 years of educational experience to her newposition ascoordinator of special education. She served as program specialist in Walnut Valley for the past three years. She also served as a District school psychologist, inclusion specialist, and special education teacher. Additionally, she was a program specialist, autism spectrum disorders at East San Gabriel Valley SELPA for two years. Ammon holds a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from California State University, Long Beach and masters of education in educational psychology from Chapman University. She succeeds Jean Hicks who retired in May with over 25 years of service in Walnut Valley.
Denise Loera joins the Diamond Bar High School staff as an instructional dean. Loera brings nearly 20 years of educational experience to her new post. She served as a mathematics teacher, department chair, BTSA Mentor, and technology coach at Chaparral Middle School for the past 11 years. Prior to that, she was a math teacher in MUSD at Eastmont Intermediate School and Schurr High School in Montebello. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from California State University, Los Angeles and master’s degree from University of California, Los Angeles. Loera is married with three children, two that attend Walnut High School and one attending Evergreen Elementary School.
Julie Galindobrings over 24 years of educational experience to her role as instructional dean at Diamond Bar High School. She served as interim instructional dean during the 2017-2018 school year. Prior to that, she was an English teacher at Diamond Bar High for 21 years. She was also an adjunct English teacher at Chaffey College for two years. Galindo earned a bachelor of arts degree in communications from Azusa Pacific University and masters of arts in English from California State University, Fullerton. She is married with two children.
Shown:
Dr. Resma Byrne has been appointed director of educational projects and assessments.
Jen Alcazar has been named the new principal at Castle Rock Elementary.
Sandra Lee has been appointed the new principal at Westhoff Elementary.
Matthew Brummett is the new assistant principal at Suzanne Middle School.
Lam Bui has been named the information technology manager.
Sarah Ammon has been approved as coordinator of special education.
Denise Loera has been appointed instructional dean at Diamond Bar High.
Julie Galindo has been named instructional dean at Diamond Bar High.