“We give kids their best chance in life by educating them. As a boy in the East San Jose school system, teachers told me I could do whatever I set my mind to. My goal has always been to show students that education gives them the power to change the world. We see it in alumni who come back to teach in the district because they want to be part of enabling that change for the next generation of students.”
Paul grew up in San Jose, graduated from Sonoma State University, and went to live and work in Spain with his Spanish wife in 2004. He established a successful education and translation service there, working primarily with the banking industry, but Europe’s recession woes prompted him to consider moving his family to America. In 2006, he applied online for a position with Gilroy High School as an English teacher, had a 4:00 am phone interview with Gene Sakahara, and landed the job. Three years later, he became a founding member of Christopher High School and served as its English Department Chair. For several years Paul also served as President and Lead Negotiator for the Gilroy Teacher’s Association (GTA). He stepped into the role of Assistant Principal at Christopher High in 2013 and was promoted to GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN Principal a year later. In 2017, Paul was hired as Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources for the Gilroy Unified School District, and he continues to serve in this position today. He says it’s more about “human relations” than “human resources.” Along with overseeing school district sites, he is responsible for all aspects of staff recruitment, hiring and evaluation, college and community relationships, and collective bargaining with teacher’s unions at the state and national level. Paul holds a PhD in Organizational Leadership from Northcentral University, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and an Administrative Services Credential from SJSU, and a B.A. in English and a Teaching Credential from Sonoma State University. Paul and his family live in Gilroy where his son attends Rod Kelley Elementary School. FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018 gmhtoday.com 29