My name is Amy Taganashi and it is with great pleasure and excitement that I write this letter  to you after having accepted the position of Principal of Village Elementary School. I want to let you know that I am incredibly honored to have the opportunity to be a part of the Village staff and this amazing school community.

I  have worked in the field of education for more than 26 years; first, as a Migrant Head Start teacher in Windsor,  as an elementary bilingual teacher and community liaison/translator in both the Oakland Unified School District and at Cinnabar Elementary School District in Petaluma. Most recently, I have worked as an elementary principal in the Santa Rosa City School District.  I am the proud mother of two young adults, and my wonderful husband and I have been married for more than 20 years. My son works as a firefighter on the Hood Mountain Calfire handcrew for the Sonoma Lake Napa Unit. My daughter is a graduating senior from Analy High School, and she is headed to CSU Monterey Bay in the fall to study Environmental Science. When not at school, I love to work in my garden, travel to new places with my family, hike, bike and read.

I come to Village Elementary with a great deal of knowledge and experience, and I am always looking to gain more. I have worked for many years to become bilingual and biliterate in Spanish and English because I recognize the potential for language to open worlds and to build strong bridges between diverse communities. I believe in the power of education as a tool for change and possibility for all students, and I am committed to ensuring equity and accessibility for all students at Village Elementary.

I am impressed by all of the great work that is occurring at Village, and I hope to work together with the staff and school community to build upon that work, and to support the development of strong students who will make a difference in our world. Again, I am thrilled to be a part of such a dynamic and innovative staff and school community and I look forward to a wonderful year together.