Monday was a big day for local teacher Mike Mathiesen: His wife had a baby, and he was named the new assistant principal of Mountain View High School.

Although Mathiesen was at the hospital with his family, trustees at the Mountain View Los Altos High School District confirmed him as the assistant principal during Monday's meeting. In July he will replace current assistant principal Gayle Larson, who is retiring.

Mathiesen, who has been a social studies teacher at the school for seven years, said he hopes to encourage collaboration among staff members as assistant principal. His role will be to supervise instructional leadership, attendance and discipline, school activities and a curricular department, which has yet to be designated.

Mathiesen has held many leadership roles at the school, including a position as co-leader of an accreditation focus group.

He is "a dedicated and passionate educator at our school whose judgment and perspective on critical matters are valuable assets," said MVHS Principal Keith Moody in a press release.

Students, staffers and parents in the hiring committees were impressed with Mathiesen's service in these positions, as well as with his personality, according to Superintendent Barry Groves. The committee recommended Mathiesen, who then met with district and school administrators for a final interview.

"He has a very positive reputation among the students and staff as someone who listens and is passionate," Groves said. "He has a calm demeanor, but can be decisive, and he is extremely well-liked."

Mathiesen, who comes from a family of teachers, currently teaches economics and world studies at the high school. His father and grandfather were educators in Fremont. Mathiesen studied history and economics at Stanford University, and earned masters degrees from Stanford and San Jose State University.

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