Meet Bita Nazarian, our new Executive Director!

Meet Bita Nazarian, our new Executive Director!
photo credit: Sarah Peet

826 Valencia is pleased to announce our new Executive Director, Bita Nazarian. Bita Nazarian has worked as an educator in the San Francisco Unified School District for the past eighteen years, most recently as principal at one of our partner schools, James Lick Middle School, in Noe Valley.

826 Valencia has worked with Bita in many capacities since 2003. At that time, Ms. Naz (as the students call her), was an English teacher at Everett Middle School and helped us build relationships with the faculty and create our first Writers’ Room—a satellite classroom where we continue to offer writing support to students and teachers. When she moved to James Lick Middle School in 2005, Bita continued to promote 826’s In-School programs and encouraged us to establish a Writers’ Room at James Lick as well.

Throughout her career, Bita has assumed many different roles in education. She has been a Peer Resources Coordinator, an English teacher and department head, an Instructional Reform Facilitator, and both an assistant principal and a principal. Along with her work with 826 at nearby middle schools, Bita joined 826 Valencia’s Board of Directors in 2006 and served on the board for five years, three of them as Board President. As our new Executive Director, Bita hopes to ensure that every public school teacher is deeply aware of what 826 has to offer so we can serve even more students and support their success.

Bita’s work with 826 and San Francisco public schools has inspired all of us at 826 Valencia, and we’re excited to introduce her to you. We hope you’ll welcome Bita Nazarian when she begins her new role at 826 Valencia in mid-July.