Kennedy Principal

J.F. Kennedy Middle School Principal: Renato Montano

Before he became the principal of Kennedy Middle School in 2005, Renato Montaño served as an elementary school principal, projects coordinator, mathematics resource teacher, curriculum resource teacher and upper-grades elementary teacher. He has earned a bachelor's degree in liberal arts, a professional clear multiple subject credential, a master's degree in educational leadership, and a professional clear administrative services credential.

When Mr. Montaño accepted the position of principal at Kennedy Middle School , the site was in its first year of Schools to Watch-Taking Center Stage status. Becoming a School to Watch-Taking Center Stage had been a true accomplishment. Over the years, Kennedy has triumphed over high suspensions and expulsions, heavy gang activity, low attendance rates, dissention among staff, and low parent involvement. Ensuring that these barriers remain low is one of the challenges Mr. Montaño has embraced. He is a visionary with extreme tact and determination, and is motivated and willing to create change no matter how difficult the circumstances.

Through hard work, strong leadership, unwavering focus and a positive attitude, Mr. Montaño preserves a successful learning community that maintains and aggressively pursues the elements of its Schools to Watch standing. He gives credit where it is due, rewards his staff members, pushes them to excel beyond their own beliefs of what can be, and realizes it takes an entire village to raise a child.

The staff is integral to the school's success, and Mr. Montaño empowers his teachers through motivation, mentorship, and encouragement of teaching that takes risks. The faculty contributes the ideas, time and effort to make J.F. Kennedy the best it can be.

Mr. Montaño's commitment to lifelong learning has been evident. He has presented at the California Association of Bilingual Education (CABE), National Science Teacher's Association (NSTA), AB75 Principal's Institute, and other local trainings and conferences. He can be reached at rmontano@ecsd.k12.ca.us.

John F. Kennedy Middle School website.

California League of Middle Schools
6615 East Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 120, Long Beach, California 90803
Voice: 562/430-3136 or 800/326-1880 . . . FAX: 562/430-5607. . . E-Mail: info@clms.net