The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District has appointed three new administrators to key positions, with the Board of Education approving the selections at recent meetings.
Sally Wennes was named principal of Malibu Elementary School following board approval on June 18. Wennes brings more than 20 years of public education experience, including principal positions in the Moorpark Unified, Oxnard and Conejo Valley unified school districts.
Jane Han was appointed as a house principal at Santa Monica High School, with board approval on June 5, 2024. Han brings over 15 years of educational experience and most recently served as principal of Stella Middle Charter Academy in Los Angeles.
Dr. Alyssa O'Grady was selected as director of assessment, research and evaluation, approved by the board on June 5. O'Grady brings more than 12 years of education experience, most recently serving as elementary school principal in the Redondo Beach Unified School District.
"I'm incredibly excited to join the SMMUSD as the new principal of Malibu Elementary," Wennes said. "It's a privilege to become part of a community that values collaboration, creativity and student success."
Wennes replaces Christopher Hertz, who served as principal for six years. Her leadership style emphasizes student-centered approaches, collaboration and transparent communication. She holds degrees from California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks.
Han said she was drawn to Santa Monica High by "the rich diversity of its student body and the community's strong commitment to social justice, equity and excellence for all." At her previous position, she led the school through major transitions and achieved significant academic gains in math and literacy.
The Los Angeles native earned degrees from Columbia University and Stanford, and is multilingual in Spanish, Korean, basic Mandarin and English.
O'Grady is recognized as a data-driven leader committed to using assessment to drive instructional excellence. She has developed English learner curriculum and directed score improvements for English learners and students with disabilities.
"I look forward to working with educators and partners to ensure that data is used thoughtfully and equitably to support student learning," O'Grady said.
O'Grady holds degrees from Occidental College, Cal State Northridge, Cal State Dominguez Hills and a doctorate from UCLA.
Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton welcomed all three appointments, praising their experience and commitment to educational equity.
Edited by SMDP Staff