MUSD announced the hiring of new principals at Rancho Milpitas and Thomas Russell Middle Schools, as well as the additions of two district support leaders, for the 2023-24 school year.
A Rancho MS and Alexander Rose Elementary School alumnus, Vern Caruz returns to Milpitas as the new site leader at Rancho with 20 years of public education and instructional leadership experience, most recently as the Lead Principal for Oak Grove School District.
“I am a proud product of Milpitas and a reminder of what we work tirelessly for everyday can perhaps enable an immigrant child like me to reach their potential,” shared Principal Vern Caruz, whose family immigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines 38 years ago.
Shangrila Mia-Ramzan, an equity-focused educator with more than two decades of work in TK-8 school administration including the last five as principal of Pearl Zanker Elementary School, was announced as the new Russell MS site leader.
“At the core of our district’s foundation lies student achievement, social-emotional learning, and the engagement of all community stakeholders,” said Principal Mia-Ramzan, who leads with equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Joining the district office are new Behavior Intervention Supervisor Stephanie Diaz; and new Coordinator II of EL and Math/Literacy Intervention Programs Shannon Soza.
