New Faces in the Guidance Department

Kimberley Cowell, Assistant Principal Guidance Department

We have three new Guidance Department members this year. Alex Lira will take over in Academic Center. Chris Bell is now a Gunn math teacher. Alex previously worked at tutorial centers at Homestead and Los Altos High schools. For the past three years, he has run an afterschool tutoring program at a Sunnyvale elementary school and has district office experience.
Monica Espinoza has been added to our guidance counseling staff. She come to us with 8 years of experience. She has worked at San Jose High Academy, SJUSD Learning Options, and most recently, at Westmont High School. Monica will be working with our College Pathways program student and families, overseeing the College for Every Student program and supporting our parent education efforts. In addition, she will be working with 150 9th graders.
Kristina Stopnik will be coming in a few weeks to take Rose McGinnis’ place as our Nurse Technician. Rose retired at the end of last school year (and is enjoying her retirement thoroughly). Kristina has experience working in a school setting. She is coming to us from the Palo Alto Medical Foundation.
Alex and Monica have already begun, and Kristina will start soon. Please join me in welcoming them to the Gunn Community.

Counselors Have Moved Offices

The good news is that we were able to add a new guidance counselor this year. The bad news is that we could not accommodate all of our counselors in one building any longer. So, Pat Conway, who works Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (60%), has moved to the Attendance Office building. Linda Kirsch relocated to Pat’s former office and is now on the Admin side, next to Tom Jacoubowsky. Lisa Kaye has moved to the middle of counselor row, occupying Linda’s old office. Our newest counselor, Monica Espinoza, is in the first office on the right as you come in the Guidance Office. Pat, Linda and Lisa will retain the same phone numbers they had last year. Monica will have a new number.