PVUSD and Watsonville High School welcomes alumna Dr. Maria Clara Fernandez back as principal to serve and lead over 2,200 students.
Maria Clara Fernandez
Dr. Fernandez has worked with students of Pajaro Valley from 2000 to 2011 in the After School program, in Migrant Education and as an Elementary teacher. Dr. Fernandez was an Elementary Assistant Principal in Salinas for 5 years and an Elementary Principal for the past 2 years.
She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies and Masters in Education from UC Santa Cruz, Administrative Credential and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from San Jose State.
Nichole Salles-Cunha
Nichole Salles-Cunha is advancing to principal of Duncan Holbert.
Salles-Cunha began in 2014 as a Special Education Teacher at Mintie White and a Teacher on Special Assignment for SELPA. She was a PVUSD innovator of the year for 2019 and supported Special Education programs and new teachers in her current TOSA role and as Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports Lead.
She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and Administrative Credential from San Diego State, and a Special Education Mild/Moderate teaching credential from CSU Monterey Bay.
Sara Pearman
Academic Coordinator for Bradley Elementary, Sara Pearman, has been at PVUSD since 2008, serving students as a teacher at Freedom, MacQuiddy and Ohlone Elementary schools.
Pearman holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and a Master of Arts in Education from UC Santa Cruz.
She received a Master of Arts degree in Education/Educational Administration from Concordia University Irvine.
Rick Maldonado
Rick Maldonado is the new assistant principal of Watsonville High School.
Mr. Maldonado has been serving the students of Pajaro Valley since 2016 as a Social Emotional Counselor.
He obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Human Communication from CSU Monterey Bay, Pupil Personnel Services Credential from National University and Administrative Credential from Santa Clara.
Colleen Bugayong
PVUSD announces the promotion of Ms. Colleen Bugayong to Director of Fiscal Services.
Ms. Bugayong, a Watsonville High School graduate, brings a wealth of experience to her new position with a strong financial background rooted in her experience working for the District.
She has been with the District since 1991 working in a variety of positions such as Accounting Specialist, Staff Accountant, Senior Accountant, and over the last twelve years as the Supervisor of Accounting.
