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GUSD Board of Education announces two new members of the management team
GUSD Communications

The Board of Education is pleased to announce the appointments of two new members of the GUSD management team at the June 29, 2023 special board meeting.

Sonia Flores

The first appointment is the new Director of Curriculum and Instruction: Sonia Flores.  Sonia will begin her new role on July 1, 2023.  She previously was the Principal at the Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy (GECA).

"I am thrilled to welcome Sonia to the District Office and to the Superintendent's Executive Cabinet," shared Deborah A. Flores.  "She is a dynamic leader who works to ensure students reach their highest potential by becoming responsible citizens within their community.  She has a clear vision to support students in achieving their maximum potential by attaining the skills, both personal and academic, to be successful beyond college and career.”

Sonia began her career in the Gilroy Unified School District as a Teach For America Corps Member sixteen years ago as an English teacher at Gilroy High School and later joined the GECA staff as a teacher in 2009.    Shw also served as a New Teacher Induction Coach, supporting first and second year teachers in Gilroy.

Sonia transitioned into administration as GECA’s principal in 2014, and has won several awards both personally and for GECA during her tenure, including Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership, awarded by the United States Department of Education and ACSA Region 8 Secondary Principal of the Year.  During her tenure at GECA, the school also won a number of state and national awards including: National Blue Ribbon School, California Distinguished School, California Gold Ribbon School, and California Pivotal Practices Award. 

Sonia received her Ed.M  in School Building Leadership from Teachers College at Columbia University, M.A. in Education from Alliant International University and her undergraduate in Political Science and English at the University of California, Berkeley (Go Bears!). She holds a single subject credential for English instruction, and an administrative services credential.

Sheis passionate about supporting educators to provide all of their students with an excellent education, which will allow all students to meet their personal goals. 

In her spare time, she cheers for Bay Area teams, including the Golden State Warriors and the San Francisco 49ers.

Ana Benich

The second appointment is the new Principal the Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy (GECA): Ana Benich.  Ana will begin her new role on July 1, 2023. 

Ana started teaching in 1998 as an elementary school teacher in the Arvin Union School District.  She transitioned to teaching high school in the Kern High School District in 1999, and then taught in the Pajaro Valley School District, before joining GUSD in 2006.  She began her career in GUSD as a teacher and department chair at Gilroy High School, before joining the GECA staff as an English teacher in 2014.  

She has held various roles at GECA during her nine years there, including: department chair, instructional specialist, and admin designee.

Ana earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Literature with a minor in Education from UC Santa Cruz and her teaching credential and Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Point Loma University.  

Ana has two children: a fifth grader and high school freshman.  She enjoys cooking, camping and gardening.