Newest Additions to our Administrative Team

We welcome David Foldvary as the Principal of Joe Henderson Elementary School with great pleasure and enthusiasm. Mr. Foldvary is a Benicia resident who has served as the Principal of Vintage Parkway Elementary School within the Oakley Union Elementary School District, Oakley, CA, for the past four years. Before his tenure in Oakley, Mr. Foldvary worked within the Beverly Hills Unified School District, Beverly Hills, CA, as the Assistant Principal at Horace Mann School (K-8) for three years and a Spanish and Social Studies teacher for eleven years.

Mr. Foldvary graduated from Georgetown University, Washington, DC, with a Bachelor of Arts in Government and a minor in Spanish and Theology. He also earned a Master of Arts in Secondary Education and a Bilingual Teaching Credential (BCLAD) in Social Studies and Spanish from Loyola Marymount University. Mr. Foldvary earned a Master’s in Education Leadership from UCLA Graduate School of Education, Los Angeles, CA as well. 

Mr. Foldvary stated,” My social justice philosophy grounds my desire to maintain a school culture that includes and embraces linguistic and cultural diversity and promotes and celebrates accessible academic gains, especially for students with IEPs.” In regards to Mr. Foldvary’s leadership, Crystal Castaneda, former Director of Educational Services for Oakley Union Elementary School District and current Superintendent of Byron Union School District, said, “He creates a sense of community and belonging by relating, communicating, and building trust with his families. Another gift is his ability to connect with people; he is kind, supportive, and always willing to lend a helping hand. David is a data-driven and solution-focused leader with research and pedagogy at his core. He is an effective communicator, courageous leader, and an “in the trenches” educator that leads by example from teaching in classes to leading a training.”

Mr. Foldvary is excited to serve the Joe Henderson community. We are excited to have  David Foldvary join BUSD and look forward to working with him. Welcome, David Foldvary!

On behalf of the Benicia Unified School District, it is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that we welcome Ms. Tasharie Ameral as Vice Principal of Benicia Middle School. Ms. Ameral served as a Multiple Subject General Education Teacher within the Pittsburg Unified School District for the past fifteen years. In addition to teaching, she served as a site union representative for certificated staff members.

Ms. Ameral graduated from California State Long Beach with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies with a concentration in U.S. History and multiple subject teaching credentials. She earned a Master of Arts in Educational Administration and Leadership with an Administrative Services Credential Certificate of Eligibility from Concordia University, Irvine, CA. As a school administrator, Ms. Ameral strives to “aspire to establish a school culture and educational program conducive to being welcoming and safe, student-centered learning, filled with growth mindset, and social-emotional learning practices. I seek to promote staff growth and development, as well as teamwork and cooperation.”

Dr. ReJois Frazier-Myers, Director of Student Services (Retired), said, “As an educator, Tasharie aspires to establish a school culture and education program conducive to a positive student learning environment with a focus on growth mindset. Ms. Ameral, in her role as an educator, seeks to promote staff cultural awareness and growth that enables scholars, staff, and parents to reach their highest potential.”

Ms. Ameral is excited to join the Benicia Middle School team and support the school community. We are excited to have Tasharie Ameral join BUSD and look forward to working with her. Welcome, Tasharie Ameral!