Introducing Our Principals:
​Samantha Carter (SC)| TK-5 and Maryam Adalat  (MA)| 6-8

Tell us about yourself?
SC: Born & raised in Salinas, Ca., I attended UC Irvine for my B.A. in Psychology, Cal State Teach for my Teaching Credential, and UC Berkeley for my MA in Education and Administrative Credential. I worked as a teacher in my hometown of Salinas and in administrative roles at both the elementary and middle school level in Oakland Unified School District, Pittsburg Unified School District, and now Emery. This is my fourth year as the Elementary Principal of Anna Yates.
MA: Born in Germany, moved to the Bay Area at the age of 1. Grew up in Newark, CA and attended UC Davis for my B.S. in Economics with an emphasis in Management. Attended CSU East Bay and obtained a masters in Social Work. Most recently, I obtained my administrative credential from CSU East Bay. In the past, I worked for San Mateo County Children & Family Services where I worked with families through the court system. Prior to joining EUSD, I worked at Mt. Diablo Unified School District overseeing programs supporting foster youth, homeless youth, English language learners, justice involved youth and youth who had dropped out of school. My experience with students who had dropped out of school led me towards school drop-out prevention; hence, leading me to support middle schoolers at Anna Yates Middle School.  
What does communication look like with parents?
SC: Our usual modes of communication still exist: our front bulletin board, chalkboard messages, paper handouts, and social media but this year there is a monthly newsletter that will send electronically the first week of every month.
MA: As Ms. Carter mentioned, we will continue to communicate, but this year all of our communication will be electronically. Robocalls/emails/text messages and I will send out a bi-weekly Newsletter. 
What are you most excited about this year?
SC: Being able to expand upon the work we have established over the last two years! With known rules and expectations in place and working effectively, we are at a place to build upon our in school intervention block, Universal Access, and look deeply at student data to improve student outcomes and how best to provide student specific scaffolds.
MA: I am most excited to ensure students are learning and growing despite being in the middle of a pandemic! It is extremely important that our students feel empowered to engage in learning despite the platform. We all need a growth mindset to continue to teach and learn in the middle of a pandemic. 
What new practice or programs should we be aware of?
SC: This year we have established a school wide reading initiative. All classrooms are committing to reading every day after recess for twenty minutes as well as emphasizing reading as homework. Reading at the student's lexile level is essential to reading being meaningful. At school students have individual reading bags so that they always have access to books at their level, having access to books at their level at home would be great reinforcement to at school expectations. Reading as a family, being read to at home, or reading books in your home language are all positive ways to access literacy at levels above their own academic range.
MA: This year our focus is social-emotional learning. This is a difficult time period for many of our students, not being able to engage with their peers in person, no sports, no extracurricular activities can be quite challenging. During the daily check-ins, we will provide a safe space for students to talk about their feelings, provide support and resources to our counseling center should they need it. Teachers will also work with students to build their independence. During the middle school years, students will need strong organizational skills, the ability to communicate when they need support and to time manage. 
Is there something new coming up soon?
SC: This year we've modified Coffee with the Principal so that we will have Drop Off Coffee with the Principal ( Oct. 4th) where we will bimonthly provide coffee and donuts in front of school rather than have a monthly standing meeting. This will allow parents to briefly ask us questions, find out about upcoming events, or get new information from various members of our community.
MA: This year, our virtual Coffee with the Principal will be bi-monthly. This will be an opportunity for you to ask us questions and get to know us better. Dates and times will be sent out via Newsletter.