Take the start of school and add major campus construction projects, the beginning of an intense-accreditation process, the implementation of new standards and a severe bout of the flu to the mix - and you have the ingredients of Patricia Montalbano's first day as principal at Los Altos High School last week.
Montalbano said she expects this year to be "a challenging time," but finds the chaos exciting. She doesn't expect the construction to disrupt school activity and athletic groups or academics, she said.
She said the school's self study on student learning and achievement as part of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation process, will "be a great opportunity for me and the school. I think this will provide us the vehicle to move forward with a strategy."
Montalbano joined the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District last June after David Brazer resigned to take an assistant professor position in Virginia.
Montalbano has extensive curriculum experience and has worked with diverse school communities.
"She has a lot of experience with curriculum, which is important at this time with the state imposing higher standards," said district board member Sue Graham after Montalbano joined the district.
Prior to coming to Los Altos, Montalbano worked in the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, where she was in charge of curriculum and projects. Her experience includes work as a curriculum specialist in the Pleasanton Unified School District and science teacher and peer coach at San Jose High Academy and Willow Glen High School.
She also served as assistant principal of curriculum and instruction at Modesto High School, where she implemented an advanced placement program and an international baccalaureate program.
Montalbano earned a bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry and medical technology from Aurora University. She holds a master's degree in vocational/technical education from the University of Illinois and a master's in educational administration from the University of San Francisco.
"I love high school," Montalbano said. "And this is a good district ... it's small enough to be able to build a good professional relationship" with the school community.
Montalbano said the following when asked about working in diverse districts, "I think there's strength in (diversity) ... you can utilize that."