Mr. Ray Senesac, who has worked in the Oxnard Union High School District for 24 years, was recently named Channel Islands’ new principal. He replaced Ms. Maricruz Hernandez, who started a job at the district office on Sept. 9.

“Everyone is very welcoming,” Mr. Senesac said.

A Hueneme High School graduate, Mr. Senesac earned a bachelor’s degree from UCLA, a master’s degree from California Lutheran University and a doctorate degree in educational leadership from USC.

He was a social science teacher at Pacifica and Hueneme, and then became assistant principal at Camarillo for nine years, Oxnard for one year and Rio Mesa for three years.

In a visit to the Writing for Publication class, Mr. Senesac said he is “not planning to make any major change.”

His plan of communication with the CI community is by talking to parents about how to help their students graduate and help them succeed in their high school years. He is open to talking to students and wants to hear what is going on. He stressed that he is willing to help out in any way he can.

He also wants to build a good relationship with individuals, and it means a lot to him to have a connection with the students.

Ms. Hernandez, CI’s principal for five years, has a new position as Director of the 21st Century Learning and Innovation. She works with curriculum and instruction and her department provides support to all teachers districtwide.

“I hope that my vocation allows me to continue contributing to providing a service to students and now also to teachers,” she said.

Ms. Hernandez said that her greatest accomplishment was starting the Principal’s Award.

“I loved seeing how many students and their families enjoyed the celebration of the accomplishments of their student,” she said.

A common aspect of Senesac and Hernandez is that they both enjoy working with students and providing a solid educational foundation for their future. They both talked about making sure that the right programs are available to meet the students’ needs.