Willow Glen Resident
News
Photograph by Vicki Thompson
Next Stage: Outgoing Willow Glen Middle School principal John Tavella retires after 3 1/2 years at the school. He has been an educator for more than 25 years in the San Jose Unified School District.
Tavella says it's time to move on
By Emilie Crofton
For some principals it takes years to develop the trust and support of students and staff needed to create positive changes at a school. John Tavella accomplished this in less than 3 1/2 years.
Under his tenure at Willow Glen Middle School, which began in January 2004, the school's Academic Performance Index scores have increased by 65 points, from 645 in 2004 to 710 in 2006.
The API is a statewide score, and the goal is for each school to reach 800 out of 1,000.
Since he took over, Tavella has been responsible for enhancing the school performing arts program and after-school sports teams, as well as its academics.
A past All-American water polo player, Tavella understood the importance of sports, saying it teaches discipline and keeps students active and out of trouble.
Willow Glen Middle School currently has more sports programs than any other school in the district, with teams in three different leagues, thanks to Tavella.
Tavella, however, shies away from taking credit for the school's achievements. He says the accolades belong with the teachers.
"Schools work when you have great teachers, and we have them." Tavella says.
Tavella is honest when he describes his job. He says, "It's interesting and a lot of fun, but stressful. It was a balancing act to keep everyone happy."
His efforts with be missed by the students and the administration, according to assistant principal of activities Kitty Iwamoto.
"We hate to see him go," Iwamoto says. "He developed such a great rapport with everyone. He was always been involved and always visible on campus."
His positive energy has infused the students with a desire to put more effort into their goals and projects, Iwamoto says.
Tavella was also a role model and important male figure for many of the students.
"Kids care more when they see adults who care," Iwamoto says. "John always cared."
Willow Glen Middle School registrar Etelvina Torres recalls an event on school grounds that made her aware of Tavella's impact on the students.
"One day a special-ed student was ranting and raging, and no one could control him. When Tavella arrived, he spoke with him and was able to calm him down right away," Torres says "He just has a special way with children."
Educator for life
Tavella, whose father was a farmer, grew up in Stockton where he attended Stagg High School and was an All-American water polo player. He graduated from University of Pacific in 1970 and went into the Army Reserves during the Vietnam War. In 1972 he married his wife Elise, a librarian for the city of San Jose. A year later, Tavella he began his career at Willow Glen High School teaching life science and coaching water polo. He later became a school administrator at Broadway High School.
Tavella admits he learned a lot from the at-risk students, realizing patience and understanding can go a long way.
"With them I realized that there are so many different ways for students to get an education," says Tavella, who was able to help numerous students who might have fallen through the cracks instead of receiving an education.
In 2000, Tavella became assistant principal of discipline at Leland High School before arriving at Willow Glen Middle School in 2004.
What Tavella will miss most, he says, are such little things as lunchtime talks with the students and helping the children deal with their everyday problems.
"Middle school students have all types of problems-- psychological, hormonal, physical, emotional," Tavella says. "Helping them out kept me busy."
Tavella, however, has decided is time to move on.
"I've always wanted to retire before the age of 60," Tavella says. For Tavella, who is 59, that dream is coming true.
He still plans to work part-time but is looking forward to traveling, including a trip to Hawaii with his wife, and broadening his winemaking interest.
