Dear Shirakawa Elementary School Community, My name is Anthony Oskar Alvarado, and I am honored to serve as your Assistant Principal this 2022-2023 school year. As an educator, I understand the importance of supporting the needs of our students academically, socially, and emotionally so they can be successful at school. As I enter this new role, I commit to establishing support systems to help students achieve their goals. I plan to partner with parents, teachers, support staff, and community members to continue programs benefiting students and initiate new programs that can help increase student outcomes for our school. I began my career in Franklin-McKinley School District as a special education paraeducator at Success Academy. From there, I moved to Meadows Elementary continuing the same role for a year, and then started my student teaching. I had experiences working with students in second, third, fourth, and fifth-grade classrooms. When I finished the credential program at San Jose State University, I moved to Franklin Elementary School. At Franklin, I taught first grade for a year, third grade for two years, and fifth grade for another two years. My new role as the Assistant Principal at Shirakawa is my first school administration position. I am currently in the Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in Educational Leadership program at San Jose State University. In addition, I completed the Administrative Services Credential Program & MA in Educational Leadership at Concordia University Irvine in December 2020. In May 2017, I graduated from San Jose State University with a Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential and a Master of Arts degree in Education - Curriculum & Instruction. In April 2013, I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Banking and Finance from National University, Manila, Philippines. On a personal note, I was born in San Jose, California, but grew up in the Philippines. Following my graduation from National University, I moved back home to the United States. I am multiracial. I am a quarter Filipino, a quarter German, and half Salvadorian. I can speak Tagalog (the official language of the Philippines) fluently, and since returning to California, I have been working hard to learn Spanish. At this time, I can speak and understand conversational Spanish. During my free time, some of my favorite pastimes are singing karaoke with my wife, spending time with friends, watching movies, playing table tennis, dining out, and many more. Traveling helps me balance work and life. My wife and I have traveled to 15 countries and 12 US states. Our travel goals include exploring more countries and visiting all US States. Please feel free to come by and say hello in the office or call me at (408) 938-3249 during regular school hours. Also, you are always welcome to email me at: anthony.alvarado@fmsd.org. Again, I am honored to serve as your assistant principal. I am glad to be part of this community, and I look forward to working with you all this school year. With Optimism, Mr. Anthony Oskar Alvarado