Novato, CA… The Novato Unified School District announced that Melissa Diaz will become the Principal at Lynwood Elementary School effective July 1, 2018, leading the school in its transition to a Spanish/English dual immersion school beginning in the 2018/19 school year.

Ms. Diaz has been serving as the District’s English Learner Coordinator for the past three years.  She brings great knowledge about teaching at NUSD as well as supporting NUSD’s English learners, a philosophy based on relationships, as well as a depth of knowledge about the District at large.  After several years of exploring and examining best practices for dual immersion programs, the NUSD Board of Trustees approved the transition for Lynwood Elementary School to become a bilingual school starting in the 2018/19 school year on April 25, 2017.  The dual immersion program will begin in Transitional Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and First Grade next year and will add one grade each year.

“I’m very excited to become Lynwood’s next principal.  I’m passionate about creating a vibrant community of English and Spanish learners and supporting staff during the transition to a dual immersion school.  Offering a bilingual program in our community is a win-win and I’m thrilled to part of it,” commented Ms. Diaz.

“I’m really excited that Melissa will lead our new dual immersion school. Being trilingual in English, Portuguese and Spanish and her experience and passion for teaching and learning for all students positions her well to take on this new role,” said Jim Hogeboom, NUSD Superintendent.

Ms. Diaz began her career in education in 2009 at Hamilton School as a teacher and was promoted to English Learner Coordinator in 2015.  She graduated from the University of Phoenix with a BS in Business Administration in 2005 and a Master’s in

Business Administration in 2006.  She received her teaching credential from Sonoma State University.  A Novato native currently living in her hometown, she attended Lu Sutton Elementary School, Hill Middle School, and Novato High School.

Mr. Andy Cline resigned as Lynwood’s Principal earlier this year.