Paso Robles High has a new principal — he’s a Cal Poly grad and Top 20 Under 40 winner
Two Paso Robles schools are getting new principals — both of whom already work in the district.
Officials on Tuesday announced that Anthony Overton, vice principal of Paso Robles High School, will take over as the school’s leader following the departure of Principal Eric Martinez.
Martinez announced in February he would depart the Paso Robles Join Unified School District to move closer to his family. His last day at the high school was March 1.
Overton, a Cal Poly grad, has worked for the district for the past nine years.
He’s served as a science teacher and activities director and has also coached the Bearcat cross country and track and field teams, according to Jennifer Gaviola, deputy superintendent.
Overton was named Paso Robles High School’s teacher of the year in 2015 and was honored as one of The Tribune’s Top 20 Under 40 award-winners in 2016.
“He has a passion for students, learning and incredible communication and organization,” Gaviola wrote in an emailed statement.
Shanna Ray, a district instructional coach, will also take over as principal of The Arts Academy at Bauer Speck in time for the 2019-20 school year.
Dorothy Halic, the school’s current principal, plans to retire at the end of the 2018-19 school year.
Ray has worked in education for the past 10 years and has served Paso Robles as a guidance specialist and an instructional coach.
“In her time as an administrator, Shanna has strived to ensure students receive high-quality social and emotional supports to allow them optimal success in the classroom,” Gaviola wrote in an email. “She believes that students who learn to recognize their emotions and, in turn, learn strategies to regulate their emotions, are far more successful in school.”
This story was originally published March 14, 2019 at 5:26 PM.
