Sonja Rodriguez, Assistant Principal
I grew up in Union City, Ca and attended New Haven Unified Schools where I later became a teacher and assistant principal. I taught Core for 7 years at Itliong Vera Cruz Middle School. Before becoming an assistant principal at my school site, I was a middle school summer assistant principal for two years. I attended Cal State University East Bay where I received a Liberal Studies degree, a multiple subject teaching credential, a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership, and an administrative credential. My passion continues to grow in student advocacy and equity. I am a mother of four. I have three adult daughters, two sons- in-law, and one teenage son. I also have two wonderful grandsons.
I am thrilled and honored to join the WCI family as your new assistant principal! It is with great enthusiasm that I embark on this journey alongside such a dedicated and vibrant school community. I am eager to collaborate with each of you to uphold and build upon the rich traditions and values that make WCI truly exceptional. Together, we will create a nurturing and inclusive environment where every student feels empowered to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. I am deeply committed to fostering strong relationships, open communication, and a culture of continuous improvement.
Milissa Banister, Student Support Administrator
Milissa Banister has been an administrator in WCSD since 2015. Prior to coming to WCI she was the principal of Indian Valley Elementary. She began her journey in education when she attended Iowa State University and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 2000. She began teaching in the Moreland School District while also pursuing a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Santa Clara University (2006). Her teaching career brought her to the East Bay where she taught in the Brentwood Union School District for 6 years before moving on to school administration. Milissa has served as a summer school principal, elementary vice principal and elementary principal before joining the WCI team as Administrator of Student Support. Prior to coming to WCSD she has been an elementary school principal in Antioch Unified and South San Francisco Unified school districts. Milissa feels fortunate to have these varied experiences teaching and leading in diverse communities, including her time as a student teacher in Caracas, Venezuela. In addition to providing strong academics, she believes in the importance of building community and ensuring that students are seen, heard and have a voice on campus.