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What I Like to Do Outside of School Surfing Spending time with my family Watching SportsCenter Favorite Athletes Tim Lincecum Alex Gray Joe Montana Favorite Bands Sublime Paul Simon Jack Johnson Favorite Movies Rudy Point Break The Sandlot Favorite Books Log from the Sea of Cortez Islands in the Stream Power of One	Nick Stephany, Principal Room: Admin Office Phone: 310-378-8471 Ext: 200 stephanyn@pvpusd.k12.ca.us BIO Growing up I was originally born in Whittier, but I grew up in a suburb of Sacramento. In high school, I played four years of football, three years of track and one year of volleyball. I was also on the speech and debate team and president of the Junior Statesmen of America. From high school, I went on to attend UC Davis where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. It was difficult to find a fun job in that field, so I started to substitute teach and coach football. I ended up teaching PE and science for two years at a high school in Citrus Heights. After living in the Sacramento Valley my whole life, I decided I needed a drastic change… Marshall Islands In 2004, I applied and was accepted to WorldTeach, a non-profit organization associated with the Center for International Development at Harvard University. I chose to go to the Marshall Islands. For the next year, I lived on a tiny atoll in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. There was no electricity, running water, phones or internet, but there were 200 elementary school kids that wanted to learn English… sort of. While I spent most of my time spear fishing, sailing canoes and snorkeling, I learned a great deal about teaching and how important school administration is to student learning. The other thing that happened in the Marshall Islands is that I met my wife, Cristina. She was a fellow volunteer in WorldTeach and a Peninsula High School grad (there was only one high school at that time). At the end of our year in the Marshall Islands, we had to make a choice, Sacramento or PV… Palos Verdes When we returned to Palos Verdes, we both landed jobs in PVPUSD. She became an English teacher at Peninsula and I, a biology and chemistry teacher and football coach at PVHS. During that first year back, I began working on my administration credential and Masters through National University. It was the quickest way to get a pay raise. At the end of our first year teaching in PV, Cristina and I were married. Our son, Joe, was born nine months later. After teaching science for two years, I was fortunate enough to become the Dean of Students at PVHS. For the next four years, I worked as a Dean and Associate Principal overseeing and contributing to nearly every aspect of PVHS. Concurrently, I attended USC for three years to earn my Doctorate of Education. I wrote a 170 page dissertation on middle school math curriculum. Somewhere along the way, our second child, a daughter named Keiko, was born. In April, 2011, it was announced that I would be the next principal of PVHS. My Philosophy The most important thing that happens in a school occurs in the interactions between teachers and students. Every other job in the school is to support that interaction. From custodians to principals, the school’s focus must be student learning. PVHS will provide students a place that they will not only learn, but they have the opportunity to pursue their passion. In the end, the values of integrity, kindness and work ethic are the ultimate character traits we strive to instill in our students.

	Brent Kuykendall, Associate Principal, School Operations Room: Admin Office Phone: 310-378-8471 Ext: 252 kuykendallb@pvpusd.k12.ca.us BIO Background I completed my undergraduate degree from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood. Recently I earned my Masters Degree and Administrative credential from California State Northridge in Educational Leadership Policy Studies. I was lucky enough to grow up in this area and attend, Vista Grande, Ridgecrest, and Peninsula High School as a student. I have worked in the district for over 12 years teaching at the Elementary (Vista Grande) and Intermediate (Ridgecrest) school levels. For the past three years I have served as the Assistant Principal at Miraleste Intermediate School. I feel that because of my experiences I can better understand my students and help guide them through the advantages and challenges of growing up on the Palos Verdes Peninsula Family I have been married for seven years to my lovely wife, Salvatrice Kuykendall. She is my best friend and the glue that keeps our family together. She is currently the academic counselor at Ridgecrest Intermediate. I also have three beautiful children, Rocco (4 years old), Daniella (2 ½ years old), and Giuliana (1). Both Rocco and Daniella attend preschool at VELA and LOVE their school.. Philosophy I understand that all students are going to make mistakes, both big and small. How the student, parent, and school react to those mistakes makes all the difference. Students need to be able to learn, reflect, and grow from these experiences. Every student has a path and our job here is to help them find that path. A successful student has balance in their life, making sure to manage their schedule of academics and extra curricular activities while also finding time for a social life and relaxation is the key to success. About me I live an active lifestyle, especially because I have three small children. I enjoy exercising, going to the beach, and spending time with friends and family. I feel that having balance in my life allows me to come to work energized and focused on the job at hand. I have always enjoyed working with young people and look forward to the challenges ahead. Dr. Stephany and Mrs. Ramirez and I are a team committed to helping Palos Verdes High become all it can be. Please don’t be a stranger and feel free to introduce yourself anytime you see me around campus. Go Sea Kings!

What's on my iPod? Lady Antebellum Zac Brown Band Diana Krall Maroon 5 What’s on my Kindle? Cutting for Stone The Lincoln Lawyer Thread Words What’s on my DVR? Glee Top Chef Modern Family	Trista Ramirez, Associate Principal, Counseling & Guidance Room: Admin Office Phone: 310-378-8471 Ext: 205 ramirez@pvpusd.k12.ca.us BIO My Professional Background It’s ironic that today some of my best days are spent on a high school campus, because I was once a teenager who hated high school! Looking back, it is clear that those high school experiences actually led me to discover my passion for counseling kids. I started my College career at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, and earned my Bachelor of Arts in Human Services in 1997 from Cal State Dominguez Hills. While considering a counseling career in the private sector, I had an opportunity to work as an intern in the counseling office at Palos Verdes Intermediate School. At PVIS, I realized that working with kids in a school setting was where I wanted to be! My experience at PVIS inspired me to continue my education at Loyola Marymount University, earning a Master of Arts in Counseling and a credential in Pupil Personnel Services. In 1999, I returned to Palos Verdes Intermediate School, and have since continued my counseling career in the PVPUSD, working at both the intermediate and high school levels. In 2004, after being asked to join the team at PVHS, I quickly realized my heart was in counseling students through what are often turbulent high school years, and helping them (and their parents) manage both the excitement and apprehension of whatever could lie beyond their graduation day. Over 11 years of experience have helped me develop a clear understanding of the unique transitions our students encounter between intermediate schools, high school, and beyond. As I personally transition into this next phase of my career as the Associate Principal of Counseling and Guidance, I am excited about the opportunity to work alongside this wonderful administrative team, and continue to support the students, faculty and families of PVHS. My Family Life Both my husband Matt and I are native South Bay residents, growing up in the same neighborhood in Torrance. After briefly moving away to Paso Robles while in high school, I eventually returned to the South Bay and reconnected with Matt through mutual friends. Over the past seventeen years, we have built an amazing life together with our two daughters, Taylor (age 8) and Morgan (age 3). Taylor is in third grade this school year and Morgan just began her first year of preschool. Like most other families, we are constantly busy and strive to maintain a strong balance between our professional and family lives. Matt and I spend most nights and weekends playing taxi for both Taylor and Morgan, going from dance to Brownies to gymnastics to art class. We have a large extended family in the local area, and they are a great source of support for Matt, the girls and me. During my down time, I enjoy cooking, reading, catching a movie with Matt and hanging out with my girls. My Philosophy I believe that student success needs to be the primary focus of every person working on this campus. Each student must define their own path to success, and it is our job as educators to help students navigate this path. It is important for us to remember that students can be impacted by a variety of outside forces, which can spill over into school and influence their academic achievement. PVHS is a campus that is dedicated to the success of each student as a whole individual; academically, socially and personally.


	Jama Maxfield, Activities Director Room: 301 Phone: 310-378-8471 Ext: 601 maxfieldj@pvpusd.k12.ca.us

	Guy Gardner, Athletic Director Room: Phone: 310-378-8471 Ext: PVHSAthletics@pvpusd.k12.ca.us