July 1, 2005

HIGH SCHOOL SCENE

Principal Art Darin retires

Silver Creek hires new principal, assistant principal

Esperanza Zendejas, superintendent of East Side Union High School, has appointed Thelma Boac as the new principal and Traci Williams as a new associate principal for Silver Creek High School, effective July 1.

“Thelma Boac, a respected member of ESUHSD and the community and brings many years of experience as a villa principal at Independence,” said Zendejas. “She will help move Silver Creek to the next level of performance.”

“As the new associated principal of Silver Creek, Traci Williams brings a wealth of knowledge and skills in the field of education and from the perspective of the private sector,” continued Zendejas. “Ms. Williams was our top-rated candidate and will do an outstanding job working with the staff.”

Thelma Boac is the new principal of Silver Creek High School.

Thelma Boac
Boac, a long-time ESUHSD educator, has been at Independence High School for 24 years. Since 2001, she has been the villa principal for the ninth grade program at Independence High School, handling the full gamut of administrative responsibilities required to lead a school of 1,200 students.

From 1981 to 2001, she taught ESL, Spanish and world history at Independence and served as a literacy coach, coordinator and department chair for the ELD program throughout almost two decades of service there. She was also a club advisor for various student organizations.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from San Francisco University and a master’s degree in education, administration and supervision.

“I am honored to be at Silver Creek working with the staff and the community,” said Boac. “I have heard great things are happening there with the entire staff, and I hope to continue the wonderful tradition of greatness that is ‘Silver Creek.’ ” 

Traci Williams is the new associate principal of Silver Creek High School.

Traci Williams
Williams has worked at Silver Creek High School since 2001as a magnet coordinator, teacher and black student union advisor.

“The staff at Silver Creek is a great team to work with, and the students are wonderful. I welcome the challenge of this new position, and I look forward to the opportunity to serve the Silver Creek community in this leadership role,” said Williams.

Prior to becoming an educator, Williams worked in the private sector as a financial analyst for 3Com Corporation, Applied Materials and FMC Corporation from 1988 to 2001.

Her accomplishments include developing cost analysis for multimillion dollar contracts, developing a financial reporting package and participating in the consolidation of two companies to create a single, highly competitive one.

Williams holds bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration from San Jose State University and expects to complete a master's degree in Educational Leadership from SJSU in May of 2006.

Farewell to Darin, Fox
Boac and Williams replace Principal Art Darin and Associate Principal Ed Fox who are both retiring from the district.
With 34 years of experience in all facets of education, Darin is leaving the district on July 15 to join WestEd as senior research associate. WestEd is a nonprofit research, development and service agency that works with education and other communities to improve learning for children, youth and adults.

Darin will coach principals of under-performing schools, helping them improve focus, empower their staffs, build leadership skills and better align their curriculum with standards and assessment.

“It’s been very gratifying to be here at Silver Creek and put so many things together in such a short time,” said Darin, who feels the school is on the right track. “I couldn’t have done it without the tremendous number of strong educational leaders at this school. The strength of this school is the leadership qualities in the staff.”

He says he’s leaving the district with mixed emotions, but feels that the move “is a necessary one that benefits my career and my family.”