Assistant Principal - James Ortega

 

My name is James Ortega and I am excited to join the Mills High School community as an Assistant Principal and look forward to working alongside all of you to support our students. Education has been both my passion and my journey, and I’m eager to bring my experience and dedication to this incredible school.

I grew up in Richmond, California, and am a proud product of the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD). I earned my degree in Mathematics from San Francisco State University before completing my teaching credential at California State University, East Bay (CSUEB). My career in education began in WCCUSD, where I served as a CELDT Tester, Substitute Teacher, and later as a Middle School Math Teacher at Hercules Middle and a High School Math Teacher at De Anza High.

After years of teaching and taking on leadership roles in both middle and high school settings, I pursued my Master’s degree in Educational Technology and an Administrative Services Credential at CSUEB. This led me to transition into administration, serving as an Assistant Principal within Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) at Skyline High School, where I worked closely with my team to foster a positive, student-centered learning environment.

Now, as I take on this new role at Mills High School, I am eager to learn from all of you, collaborate as a team, and continue creating opportunities for our students to thrive. I look forward to meeting each of you and working together to make a meaningful impact.