Elsy Villafranca is the new principal of Culver City Middle School.

Ms. Villafranca has been an assistant principal since 2015.

She has helped guide student and teacher excellence in academics and achievement across a wide variety of programs.

Previously, Ms. Villafranca was an intervention coordinator and English Language Learner coordinator at Palms Elementary, as well as a special education teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

“We are fortunate to have her classroom expertise and leadership skills,” said Supt. Dr. Joshua Arnold.

Born in El Salvador, Ms. Villafranca moved to the Los Angeles area at the age of 4 and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in El Serreno.

At UCLA, she earned her B.A. in history/Italian studies.

Ms. Villafranca spent time living in Italy and Paris before returning to Los Angeles to begin her teaching career.

She is fluent in Spanish, Italian, and conversational French.

Beyond the classroom, Ms. Villafranca is quite an athlete,. She has even coached girls varsity soccer and softball.

On becoming Culver City’s next Middle School principal, Ms. Villafranca said that “being a part of this incredible team of teachers, staff, and counselors is an absolute joy. I look forward to working with all of our schools throughout the district to provide a connected student experience for every child in Culver City.”

Mr. Maleman may be contacted at gmaleman@aol.com