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Schools

New PHS Assistant Principal Young and Confident

Shortly after Anne Dolid started teaching she knew she wanted to be an administrator.

Name: Anne Dolid

Age: 31

Occupation: Assistant Principal,

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You seem young to be a school administrator.

I worked for four years as vice principal—same job, different title—at Livermore High School before coming here, so this was a comfortable move for me. 

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I started out as a teacher, and decided that I wanted to work with students every day, but didn’t want to be a classroom teacher.

At the time, I was a New York City Teaching Fellow, modeled on the Teach for America program. I got my New York teaching credential and a M.A. in Education together at City College of New York. … When I moved back to California, I had to take another credential exam, the CSET, to get my California teaching credential, and I went to Cal State East Bay to get my administration credential. 

You say you moved back to California, where are you from originally?

I grew up in Santa Barbara, and went to University of California, Davis. My claim to fame there was that I played on the water polo team and was awarded All-American and Academic All-American titles. 

What took you to New York?

I have a cousin who was going to New York University at the time. We had talked about being roommates since we were little girls, so I went to live with her. ...

I taught English and Social Science Core at PS 195 in Manhattan, a middle school also named Roberto Clemente School. I taught there for three years. 

What brought you back to California?

My then boyfriend—we’re now married—decided he wanted to move to California, and I wanted to be with him. …

My husband, Ari Dolid, … runs the Social Justice Academy at San Leandro High School. It’s an awesome program! 

We live in Temescal, which we love, and have a 15-month-old son named Asher. I had been looking for work closer to home—academic hours are long. This job was posted in August, and I began working here after school started, in September. 

What are your first impressions of PHS?

It’s fabulous! Full of professionals, everyone is warm and puts student learning first. It’s an amazing culture. I never feel like I’m coming to “work.” I feel more like I’m spending my day with great people, surrounded by great kids. 

What words of wisdom do you have for PHS students?

It’s related to Steve Jobs: Live every day as if it's your last. If you’re not in love with what you’re doing, find something else that you can feel passionate about.

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