SANTA ANA : District Employs New Education Chief

Joseph Tafoya, a former school administrator from San Diego, has been hired by the Santa Ana Unified School District to head educational programs at its secondary schools.

Tafoya, 44, began his new job this week as assistant superintendent in charge of secondary education for Orange County’s largest school district. He will oversee instructional programs for the district’s seven intermediate schools, four high schools and one continuation school.

Tafoya, who began his teaching career in 1969, will also be directing instructional programs for the district’s Regional Occupational and Independent Study programs.

He replaces Nancy J. O’Connor, who took a leave of absence from the district.

Tafoya was principal at Kearny High School in San Diego and spent his entire career with San Diego city schools before coming to Santa Ana.

The district has also hired former Santa Ana teacher and school principal Susan Despenas as assistant to Supt. Rudy Castruita.

Despenas, 36, began as a teacher at Diamond Elementary School and was later promoted to principal of Jefferson Elementary School. Last year, she was named deputy administrator of elementary schools.

Despenas also began her new job this week. As Castruita’s assistant, she will serve as the district’s liaison with universities and colleges and will be responsible for the district’s Mentor Teacher and Drug Free Schools programs.

Despenas replaced Ramon Reza, who left the district to accept another position.