Cyndee Nguyen will be the new principal of Benjamin Bubb Elementary School. Her selection was announced at the Mountain View Whisman School District board meeting on April 17, where Nguyen was accompanied by a dozen of her supporters from Bubb School, where she taught first grade.
Nguyen is set to replace Mary Dietrich, who is retiring this year.
At the board meeting, Superintendent Craig Goldman's announcement was met with cheers and applause. Teachers from the elementary school had come with Cyndee to the board meeting to show their support, and celebrated when they heard the news.
"It is without any hesitation that we appreciate the fact that you're joining our leadership team," Goldman said at the board meeting. "We are excited as you take on this new role."
Nguyen was a first-grade teacher at Bubb Elementary for seven years. She was selected by her colleagues to be named Teacher of the Year in 2012 by the Santa Clara County Office of Education -- one of two teachers in the entire school district.
Nguyen spent the last two years as an instructional coach at Bubb and Landels elementary schools, helping other teachers in the classroom. Nguyen said as a coach, her job was to watch and observe teacher instruction, and give feedback either during or after class. It also meant working with the district officials to implement district-wide initiatives at the classroom level.
Goldman said her two-year experience as an instructional coach helped ready her for an administrative role.
"Nguyen is increasingly seen as someone who can lead teachers and students," Goldman said. "She is well-prepared to take over for Mary."
Nguyen was one of 44 applicants for the job. After the first screening, that number went down to eight. Nguyen said she was interviewed by two panels for the job: the first was panel of teachers, staff and neighborhood leaders, the second was the executive team for the district, including Goldman. In the interviews, she asked about her vision for Bubb elementary and how she was going to make that happen, as well as changes to instruction.
At the board meeting, Goldman said she did an outstanding job in her interviews, and "wowed" the panel, the executive team and the board of trustees.
Comments
another community
on May 2, 2014 at 11:25 am
on May 2, 2014 at 11:25 am
This town has a problem with poorly named schools and "Bubb" is a perfect example.
Student 1: Where do you go to school?
Student 2: Bubb
Student 1: Oh. Sorry.
Cuesta Park
on May 2, 2014 at 12:08 pm
on May 2, 2014 at 12:08 pm
excellent choice, she was teacher to one of our kids and we had a great experience w/ cyndee. no problem with bubb the name here, this is one of the best schools in our community and that's what counts.
Old Mountain View
on May 2, 2014 at 12:50 pm
on May 2, 2014 at 12:50 pm
Actually Parent, anything besides the name "Bullis" is just fine with us her in MV.
Monta Loma
on May 2, 2014 at 3:02 pm
on May 2, 2014 at 3:02 pm
Perhaps the biggest challenge for principals in the MVWSD is whether they are willing to resist the administration when the administration pushes a misguided idea/program. Hopefully Ms. Nguyen will have the fortitude to stand up for her school.
Waverly Park
on May 2, 2014 at 3:24 pm
on May 2, 2014 at 3:24 pm
#1) This great news about Ms. Nguyen is not the place for your complaints.
#2) None of the schools in Mtn View are poorly name...just maybe poorly advertised. The names of our schools are named for important people - either in Mtn View itself or life in general. Go to the History Center upstairs in the Mountain View Library and learn about them.