Saratoga News


MaryBarbara Zorio	Dale Jones

Two elementary schools in Saratoga get new principals

By Michelle Alaimo

Two campuses in Saratoga are starting off the new school year with new principals. MaryBarbara Zorio has moved from Christa McAuliffe Elementary School to Saratoga School, while Dale Jones is taking over the reins as Christa McAuliffe school's new principal.

Both new principals are known in the Saratoga community and are looking forward to working at their new schools.

Zorio, principal at Christa McAuliffe school for the past four years, said she has been moving toward working in a small school district for a number of years.

"I came [to Saratoga School] because I wanted to be part of a smaller district and be part of the community," Zorio said. She has spent half her educational career, 15 years, in the Cupertino Union School District. While Zorio noted similarities between parents' expectations in the CUSD and the Saratoga Union School District, she said she is "very happy to have a direct connection to administrators." Zorio is replacing Lily Ogden, who moved out of the area.

Jones, who now sits where Zorio used to at McAuliffe school, said becoming principal is a "win-win situation" for him. Jones, who has been active with parents at the school in the past, has a daughter in second grade at McAuliffe. His entire professional career has been spent in Cupertino school districts.

Although both Zorio and Jones have spent many years in Cupertino, both have varied educational backgrounds.

Zorio is entering her 30th year in education and has taught in nearly all grade levels. She has also served as a reading specialist and science resource teacher and has taught science at the Smithsonian Institute. Zorio earned her bachelors degree at St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkhill, N.Y. She earned both her masters and administrative credential at Santa Clara University. Zorio also plans to begin studying for a doctorate degree next spring at SCU.

Jones has taught special and regular education, served as Cupertino district summer school principal and most recently was assistant principal at Kennedy Junior High School. Jones received his bachelor's degree from Pacific Lutheran University in Washington and received his masters degree in education from SCU.

[ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ]