Welcoming New BUSD Leaders for 2025-26

Rachel Porzig, Principal, Cragmont Elementary School

Rachel Porzig joins BUSD as the new principal at Cragmont Elementary School. Ms. Porzig comes to us from West Contra Costa, where she has been an elementary school teacher, vice principal, and district leader in the social emotional learning of students. We are fortunate and excited that she decided to make the move to BUSD and accept the position as principal at Cragmont.

Rachel Porzig se unirá a BUSD como nueva directora de Cragmont Elementary School Ms. Porzig viene de West Contra Costa, donde ella ha sido maestra de primaria, subdirectora y líder del distrito en el aprendizaje socioemocional de los estudiantes. Nos sentimos afortunados y entusiasmados de que ella haya decidido trasladarse a BUSD y aceptar el puesto de directora en Cragmont.

Holen Robie, Principal, Rosa Parks Elementary School

Holen Robie returns to BUSD as the next principal of Rosa Parks Elementary School. Ms. Robie has deep roots in the Berkeley community, having worked at Emerson for sixteen years as a classroom teacher and Multilingual Learner coach. Ms. Robie has taught a variety of elementary school grade levels and is very excited to return to Berkeley.  Most recently, Ms. Robie was an elementary school principal in Oregon.

Holen Robie regresará a BUSD como la próxima directora de Rosa Parks Elementary School Ms. Robie tiene profundas raíces en la comunidad de Berkeley, ya que ha trabajado en Emerson durante dieciséis años como maestra dentro del salón de clases y como especialista de Multilingual Learns. Ms. Robie ha impartido una variedad de diferentes niveles de primaria y está muy emocionada de regresar a Berkeley. Más recientemente, la Sra. Robie fue directora de una escuela primaria en Oregón.

Vincent Toan, Principal, Berkeley Technology Academy & Berkeley Independent Study

Mr. Vincent Toan  joins BUSD as the principal at BTA/BIS. Coming from San Francisco, where he has served as a high school principal and assistant principal, and was most recently a supervisor in the district’s Career Technical Education (CTE) department, Mr. Toan is a Berkeley resident with nearly two decades of experience in education. 

 Mr. Vincent Toan se une a BUSD como director de BTA/BIS. Procedente de San Francisco, donde él ha trabajado como director y subdirector de preparatoria y actualmente es supervisor del departamento de Educación Técnica Profesional (CTE) del distrito, Mr. Toan es residente en Berkeley y cuenta con casi dos décadas de experiencia en el ámbito educativo. 

Laurie Clark, Principal, Willard Middle School

Laurie Clark joins BUSD as principal of Willard Middle School. Ms. Clark has deep roots in school administration, having worked in the state of Washington as a vice principal and principal for the past twenty-seven years. She was mot recently the principal of Riverview Middle School in Mt. Diablo Unified School District. During the interview process, which included a variety of stakeholders, it was clear that Ms. Clark is committed to students and enjoys this time in their development. She is excited to join a school community rich in tradition and dedicated to meeting the needs of its students.

Laurie Clark se une a BUSD como como directora de Willard Middle School Ms. Clark tiene una amplia experiencia en la administración escolar, ya que ha trabajado en el estado de Washington como subdirectora y directora durante los últimos veintisiete años. Recientemente fue directora de Riverview Middle School en Mt. Diablo Unified School District. Durante el proceso de entrevistas, en el cual participaron diversas partes interesadas, quedó claro que la Ms. Clark está comprometida con los estudiantes y disfruta de esta etapa de la formación de ellos. Ella está emocionada por unirse a una comunidad escolar rica en tradición y dedicada a satisfacer las necesidades de sus estudiantes.

Ruby Ortega, Vice Principal, Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School

Ruby Ortega is excited to join Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School as Vice Principal. Ruby grew up in the area and attended UC Davis, where she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. She has spent the last decade working with elementary and middle school students, most recently as a Vice Principal for an elementary school. She is passionate about building strong & trusting relationships with students, staff, and families. She is committed to fostering an environment where everyone feels seen, valued, and empowered. Ruby is the mom of two little boys, ages 4 and 6, and outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, cheering her littles on in their activities, and exploring what the area has to offer. She looks forward to being a part of the King community and contributing to the great things already happening there.

Ruby Ortega está emocionada de unirse a Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School como Subdirectora. Ruby creció en el área y asistió UC Davis, donde ella obtuvo su Licenciatura y su Maestría. Ella ha pasado los últimos diez años trabajando con estudiantes de primaria y secundaria, y más recientemente como subdirectora de una escuela primaria. A ella le apasiona construir relaciones sólidas y de confianza con los estudiantes, personal y las familias. Ella está comprometida con fomentar un entorno en el que todos se sientan vistos, valorados y empoderados. Ruby es madre de dos niños pequeños, de 4 y 6 años de edad, y fuera del trabajo ella disfruta pasando tiempo con su familia, apoyando a sus pequeños en sus actividades y explorando lo que el área tiene para ofrecer. Está espera con entusiasmo el formar parte de la comunidad en King y contribuir a las grandes cosas que ya están sucediendo en la escuela.

Yorda Weldeghiorgis, Vice Principal, Berkeley High School

In her prior role as Dean of Students at Berkeley High School, Yorda Weldeghiorgis was an acting principal designee to the School Safety Committee and led weekly meetings with School Safety Officers to plan for safety needs, including emergency preparedness planning.  She partnered with staff, students, and families to support students struggling with behavior and facilitated professional development for teachers.  Yorda has a Master’s in Educational Leadership from UC Berkeley, and a Master’s in Education from UC Berkeley. She has worked as an elementary school teacher for grades 1-4, an elementary summer school teacher for grades 2-4, and an elementary English teacher for grades 1-3.

Eric Husted joins BHS from Castlemont High School in Oakland, where he served as a special education teacher for two years and a math teacher leader for six years. In earlier chapters of his career, he also taught at the elementary level and worked as a community organizer. At Castlemont, Eric helped design and lead the school’s professional development program. These experiences have shaped his deep belief that sustained collective action among adults leads to better outcomes for students.

Andrea Ambrose, Vice Principal, Longfellow Middle School
Andrea Ambrose eagerly joined the Longfellow Middle School Team last February. After teaching at Berkeley Arts Magnet for the past 9 years, she moved into the role of Vice Principal last year and is thrilled to be entering the new school year with returning students and a familiar staff and school community. Andrea felt drawn to Longfellow due to the diverse community of families, the robust programs for student support, and the dedicated staff that serve the students there. When she isn’t at school, she loves working on new tricks with her dog, cooking with her partner, and attempting to garden! She loves being a member of the Berkeley Unified family and is #BUSDPROUD!

Andrea Ambrose se incorporó con gran entusiasmo al equipo de Longfellow Middle School el pasado mes de febrero. Después de impartir clases en Berkeley Arts Magnet durante los últimos nueve años, el año pasado pasó a ocupar el cargo de Subdirectora y está encantada de comenzar el nuevo ciclo escolar con los estudiantes que regresan y con un personal y una comunidad escolar que ya conoce bien. Andrea se sintió atraída por Longfellow debido a la diversidad de la comunidad familiar, los sólidos programas de apoyo para el estudiante y el personal dedicado que atiende a los estudiantes en la escuela. Cuando ella no está en la escuela, le encanta ¡practicar nuevos trucos con su perro, cocinar con su pareja e intentar cultivar un poco el jardín! A ella le encanta ser miembro de la familia Berkeley Unified y es #BUSDPROUD!

Jessica Mould, Vice Principal, Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School

Jess Mould  joins BUSD in the role of Vice Principal of Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School.  She spent the first 10 years of her life in England before growing up in the East Bay. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from the University of Colorado, Boulder, later completing a master’s degree in Literacy Curriculum and Instruction, along with a K–12 Reading Teacher Endorsement, also from CU Boulder. She received her preliminary administrative credential from CSU East Bay and is currently working toward a Master’s in Educational Leadership. Jess taught a range of grades in both K–8 and TK–5 settings, and completed the Orton-Gillingham Classroom Educator Training as well as LETRS Volumes 1 and 2. She is passionate about equity-driven education and about building strong, collaborative relationships. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring new restaurants, working out, and traveling. She is also a HUGE football fan (college and NFL) and always up for a good conversation over coffee.

Jess Mould se une a BUSD en el cargo de Subdirectora de Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School.  Ella pasó los primeros 10 años de su vida en Inglaterra antes de crecer en el Este de la Bahía. Ella obtuvo una Licenciatura en Psicología y una Acreditación para la Enseñanza de Múltiples Materias de University of Colorado, Boulder y posteriormente completó una Maestría en el Plan de Estudio en Lectoescritura e Instrucción, junto con una Especialización en Enseñanza de la Lectura para estudiantes en K-12, también de UC Boulder. Recibió su credencial administrativa preliminar de CSU East Bay y actualmente estoy cursando un Maestría en Liderazgo Educativo. Jess impartió clases en un rango de grados, tanto en K-8 como en TK-5, y completó el Entrenamiento para Educadores en el método Orton-Gillingham, así como LETRS Volumes 1 and 2. A ella le apasiona la educación basada en la equidad y el establecimiento de relaciones sólidas y colaborativas. Fuera del trabajo, le gusta explorar nuevos restaurantes, hacer ejercicio y viajar. Ella también es una GRAN aficionada al fútbol americano (universitario y de la NFL) y siempre está dispuesta a disfrutar de una buena conversación mientras toma un café.

Yusef, Auletta, Vice Principal, Malcolm X Elementary School

Yusef Auletta is thrilled to join the Malcolm X Elementary School community! The 2025-’26 school year will be his 15th in Berkeley Unified School District.  He served the district as a classroom teacher, Response to Intervention Teacher on Special Assignment, instructional coach, and most recently, interim Manager of Expanded Learning.  Yusef loves working with students and teachers to support instruction and learning.  When he’s not at work, he enjoys hiking with his wife and two kids, gardening, cooking, reading, and playing sports.  

Alex Billotte, BUSD Director of Human Resources

BUSD’s Board of Education recently confirmed former Willard principal Mr. Alex Billotte to become BUSD’s next Director of Human Resources. Mr. Billotte began in this new role on July 1. He has served as a special education teacher, vice principal, and, most recently, as principal at Willard. Mr. Billotte joined BUSD in 2019 after teaching special education for several years in Philadelphia, PA. He recently completed ACSA’s personnel administrators academy. 

El Board of Education confirmó recientemente que el director de Willard Mr. Alex Billotte se convertirá en el próximo Director de Human Resources en BUSD. Mr. Billotte comenzó a desempeñar este nuevo cargo el 1 de julio. Él ha trabajado como maestro de educación especial, subdirector y, más recientemente, como director en Willard. Mr. Billotte se unió a BUSD en 2019 después de impartir clases de educación especial durante varios años en Filadelfia, Pensilvania. Él recientemente ha completado la academia de administradores de personal en ACSA.

Ms. Whitt attended The School of the Art Institute of Chicago where she earned a BFA in 1999. She holds an MA in Special Education from SSU (2005) and another MA in Education Administration from SFSU (2017). Her professional background includes teaching students with special needs in a variety of settings including RSP, SDC, NPS, and Adult Transition classrooms. Additionally, she worked for four years as the Lead English Language Arts and History Teacher and Assistant Principal for New York Academy, an American International School in Hyderabad, India. She also served as the NYA Special Needs Coordinator, working closely with teachers and students in providing effective assessment and lesson design for infants in the parent/toddler program, all the way up to Eighth Grade. Most recently Ms. Whitt worked at Petaluma High School as an Assistant Principal and taught LC+ at Kentfield School District (2020-2024).

Ms. Whitt asistió a The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, donde obtuvo una licenciatura en Bellas Artes en 1999. Ella cuenta con una maestría en Educación Especial de SSU (2005) y otra Maestría en Administración Educativa de SFSU (2017). Su experiencia profesional incluye la enseñanza a estudiantes con necesidades especiales en diversos entornos, tales como RSP, SDC, NPS y salones de clase de Transición para Adultos. Además, ella trabajó durante cuatro años como Maestra Líder de Lingüística y Literatura en Inglés e Historia y Directora Adjunta de New York Academy, una Escuela Internacional Estadounidense ubicada en Hyderabad, India. Ella también trabajó como Coordinadora de Necesidades Especiales en la NYA, colaborando estrechamente con maestros y estudiantes para proporcionar valoraciones eficaces y diseñar lecciones para infantes en el programa para padres y niños pequeños, hasta el octavo grado. Más recientemente, Ms. Whitt trabajó en Petaluma High School (Preparatoria Petaluma) como Directora Adjunta e impartió LC+ en Kentfield School District (2020-2024).

Doreen Bracamontes, Counseling & Wellness Program Manager

Doreen Bracamontes joined BUSD in 2019 as a Vice Principal at Berkeley High School. She has served as a vice principal at Longfellow Middle School, and Malcolm X Elementary. Most recently, she served as the Vice Principal for School Climate and Student Wellness at Berkeley High School where she led a design and implementation team that opened the district’s first Wellness Center.
Doreen holds two undergraduate degrees, in English Literature and Sociology, from the University of California, Irvine. She is a National Board Certified Teacher in Adolescent Literacy with twelve years of high school teaching experience. She is also an alumna of the Principal Leadership Institute (PLI Cohort ‘14), with a Masters in Education from UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Education.