Dear Colleagues and Friends,
I made the announcement today that I am retiring at the end of this school year – June 30, 2010. I have had a wonderful career serving 35 years as an educator and have spent all but one year in Sonoma Valley. It has been an extremely rewarding experience and I have worked with the best students, amazing teachers, and incredible administrators and community members. I am leaving with mixed feelings as I will really miss the students, their families, and staff. I am looking forward, however, to a slower pace of living, spending more time with my family and friends, and traveling.
When I went about choosing a career, one of my main criteria was that my job could not be boring. I definitely met that goal in becoming a teacher and a principal. I have enjoyed every aspect of my job as an educator in Sonoma Valley and I am looking forward to continuing to serve my community in other ways. Thank you very much for all of your support and assistance over the years.
In this way did Micaela Philpot announce today her retirement as principal of Sonoma Valley High School, where she has served as principal since 2006. “The school culture at Sonoma Valley High is positive and inclusive, and I feel good about leaving our high school on a high note. I am truly blessed to have found a career that has brought me so much joy and fulfillment.”
Philpot added that she feels fortunate to have worked for so many years in the district where she has lived and where her children have been raised and educated.
“While we are happy that Micaela will be able to engage in new community service opportunities,” said Dr. Pamela Martens, district superintendent, “we will greatly miss her expertise and strong commitment to our educational system. The trustees and staff express sincere appreciation to Micaela for her many years of devoted service to the students of our district, and we wish her the very best in this new phase of her life.”
Philpot began her teaching career in Sonoma Valley in 1975 at El Verano Elementary School. She taught reading, fourth grade and kindergarten during her fifteen-year tenure at El Verano. Next she taught sixth- and seventh-grade math and art for four years at Altimira Middle School.
In 1995, Philpot was appointed principal at Dunbar Elementary School. Three years later, she became principal of Altimira Middle School, where she served for eight years before being selected as high school principal.
Her popularity among students, former students, and parents was demonstrated dramatically when in the spring of 2008 the previous superintendent asked Philpot to resign. The outpouring of public dismay over that action caused the school board to overturn the superintendent’s action and to request that Philpot stay on, and in these last two years she has continued to institute positive changes at the high school.
