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Schools

When Students Return Wednesday, New Principal for Mar Vista High School

Former Mar Vista Principal Glenda Golobay took an early retirement after only a year as the school's principal.

After only a year as principal, Glenda Golobay took an early retirement and Wes Braddok will now be running Mar Vista High School.

Braddok said he’s worked in a myriad of positions within school districts dating back to when he was putting himself through college.

“When I was at SDSU I worked as a custodian for San Diego Unified, I’ve worked as a gardener, an instructional assistant, and even worked as a security guard at Hoover High,” he said. “There’s not a whole lot I haven’t done in the spectrum, but as a principal this has given me the insight as to how things work. I know what the positions are on a campus and why they’re important. Because of that it’s never been a ‘us’ versus ‘them’ on my campuses, because I know that every link in the chain is critical.”

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As the lead administrator for Mar Vista, Braddok said he feels it’s important to continue to raise measurable academic achievement at the school.

“It’s our job to do our best to prepare our students for successful adult lives, no matter what path they choose to take,” he said.  “I think the power of education is a great equalizer, and I know the teachers we have here are dedicated and have the same passion to keep raising the bar.”

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Although the name Wes Braddok may be a new one for those who attend or have children who attend , that’s not to say he’s new to the .

Braddok, who graduated from SDSU with dual majors in Spanish and Physical Education, first began his time in the district 27 years ago.

“I first taught in the classroom for 10 years,” Braddok said.  “I taught five subjects at Southwest Junior High for about six years before moving on to Sweetwater High where I taught Spanish, physical education and adaptive physical education, which enabled me to teach PE to special needs students.”

From there he moved on to work in the district office as the Coordinator for Athletics and Safe Schools, then as principal of Montgomery Middle School then Sweetwater High School.

"Dr. Brand, who was working as the superintendent at that time, had the philosophy that you should start at the middle school level and then when the district thinks you’re ready, you’re encouraged to apply for high school positions," he said.

Six years later, however, Braddok found himself back at the district office working as the director of human resources. 

“But then, about a week and a half ago, Dr. Brand called me in and asked if I’d like to be the site administrator for Mar Vista and I said yes,” he said.

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