Dr. Issa Selected as First Avenue Middle School Principal
Dr. Semeen Issa has been named as the next Principal for First Avenue Middle School. The Arcadia Unified School District Board of Education unanimously approved the recommendation of Superintendent David Vannasdall and staff for Dr. Issa to succeed Dr. Tom Bruce as the school’s top administrator.
“I am so excited to be the Principal of First Avenue,” said Dr. Issa. “This is where my heart has been and continues to be, and I look forward to working with an amazing school community with many collaborative endeavors.”
The Spartan campus is very familiar with its new principal. Dr. Issa has spent the previous 16 years at First Avenue. The last six years she was the Assistant Principal, and prior to that she taught History, English, and English Language Development (ELD).
Before receiving her Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership at California State University, Fullerton in 2012, she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education from the University of Southern California.
(Current, former, and future First Ave Principals: Left to right, Dr. Semeen Issa, Dr. Tom Bruce, Dr. Jeff Wilson, Dr. Bev Klatt)
“Dr. Issa has proven herself as a great leader in our District, and a true advocate for her students,” said Superintendent Vannasdall. “Our hiring process is very thorough, and we know she will continue the great tradition of excellence at First Avenue.”
Dr. Issa says her passion for the past 16 years has been to work with middle school students in their academic and socio-emotional development because she understands that middle school is the best place to provide a nurturing environment for adolescents to develop their identities. Her firm belief is that First Avenue Middle School provides an amazing whole child experience where middle school students can shine in their area of creative interest.
Dr. Issa will take over for Dr. Bruce who was recently promoted to the District’s Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. Both positions will be effective July, 1, 2016.
“I am so excited to be the Principal of First Avenue,” said Dr. Issa. “This is where my heart has been and continues to be, and I look forward to working with an amazing school community with many collaborative endeavors.”
The Spartan campus is very familiar with its new principal. Dr. Issa has spent the previous 16 years at First Avenue. The last six years she was the Assistant Principal, and prior to that she taught History, English, and English Language Development (ELD).
Before receiving her Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership at California State University, Fullerton in 2012, she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education from the University of Southern California.
(Current, former, and future First Ave Principals: Left to right, Dr. Semeen Issa, Dr. Tom Bruce, Dr. Jeff Wilson, Dr. Bev Klatt)
“Dr. Issa has proven herself as a great leader in our District, and a true advocate for her students,” said Superintendent Vannasdall. “Our hiring process is very thorough, and we know she will continue the great tradition of excellence at First Avenue.”
Dr. Issa says her passion for the past 16 years has been to work with middle school students in their academic and socio-emotional development because she understands that middle school is the best place to provide a nurturing environment for adolescents to develop their identities. Her firm belief is that First Avenue Middle School provides an amazing whole child experience where middle school students can shine in their area of creative interest.
Dr. Issa will take over for Dr. Bruce who was recently promoted to the District’s Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. Both positions will be effective July, 1, 2016.