San Benito High School alumnus Adrian Ramirez was named principal of the school on Jan. 27, dropping the interim title he has held since former Princpal Todd Dearden was placed on administrative leave before resigning during the first semester.
In an interview with BenitoLink, Ramirez — a 1995 graduate of SBHSÂ —Â said that he has “always wanted to be a part of something that would make a positive impact on a lot of people. Working in education has always fulfilled that desire.”
Born in Brawley, Calif. to Mexican immigrant parents, Ramirez’s family moved to Hollister soon after his birth. He attended Spring Grove School and played baseball, football and basketball while at SBHS. Upon graduation, he attended Gavilan College before earning a bachelor’s degree from Humboldt State University.Â
“I’m here because my parents set the bar very high for me growing up,” he said. “They are the two hardest working and selfless people I have ever been around — always putting others before themselves and never hesitating to do whatever my brother (Gabriel) and I had what we needed to succeed.”
Ramirez got his start at the high school in 2000, when he was hired as a guidance technician. That same year, he want to work as the director of student services for a start-up charter school in Gilroy (El Portal Leadership Academy), which was run by the nonprofit Mexican American Community Service Agency (MACSA). In 2004, a year after his first son, Isaiah, was born to his wife, Tenille Andrade Ramirez –also a Baler grad — Ramirez came back to SBHS to work as a guidance technician. In addition to their 12-year-old son, Ramirez and his wife have a 9-year-old son, Noah.
He transitioned to being a student support manager, with primary responsibility for safety, attendance and discipline, and returned to college to earn a master’s degree in educational leadership through San Jose State’s Urban High School Leadership Program. Ramirez, who served as an assistant principal at the high school for the past four years, also earned his administrative credential through the SJSU program.
SBHS District Human Resources Director Shawn Tennenbaum said in an email to staff and Ramirez, “I am so proud of your work and know that your connection with students, staff, and the greater school community will provide for much success in your new role.”
Dr. Katherine Foster, president of the San Benito High School Teachers’ Association, praised the announcement, saying Ramirez is “very deserving of this position” and that he has “all the skills and qualities to lead our school forward in the right direction.”
Ramirez said he relishes the chance to lead his alma mater.
“Having the vote of confidence from the school board, administration, teachers and students to lead this school is a huge responsibility, but I’m honored and embrace the opportunity,” he said.Â
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