September 27, 2007
Topaz principal has history in district
CORINNE GRIFFITHS
ON CAMPUS
You know when you are in the office of a leader. When you sit there discussing their life, they are humble, but you can see all the influence they have had on hundreds of people!
That’s the way it felt when I interviewed Rafael Plascencia, the new principal of Topaz Elementary School.
Plascencia made me feel comfortable, in spite of his clean-cut, razorsharp appearance and when I paid him a compliment, he would discount his deeds!
And deeds he has done, both in his professional and his personal life.
Let’s begin at the beginning: He was born in Guadalajara, Jalasco, Mexico, and moved to Orange County where he grew up in Santa Ana. He attended Garden Grove schools, after which he went to California State Fullerton and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Ethnic Studies. He went on to Chapman, then to Azuza Pacific University where he received his master’s degree in Counceling and in Education with an emphasis in educational administration.
He began his work for the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District in child welfare and attendance where he taught a class called “SERVE: Social, Emotional, Recreation, Vocation, Education,” for one year at El Dorado High School and for nine at Valencia High.
This class is an elective for students who didn’t feel as though they belonged to the campus. It evolved into a leadership preparation class.
Those students who didn’t think they fit in began leading others towards success. The ultimate goal of the class was to get these kids interested in furthering their education in college.
Plascencia enjoyed his years at Valencia. He moved to Rio Vista Elementary as assistant principal and served there for four and a half years.
“Rio is an incredible place,” Plascencia shared. “You can see the passion and the heart that the teachers have for these kids! I was able to observe the true experts at work and I learned so much from the teachers there.”
When he met with our superintendent, Dennis Smith, to hear of a new calling for him, he thought it would be to stay at Rio and assist their new principal, Nancy Martin. But, instead it was a push up to a higher degree of responsibility as the principal at Tynes. He was very surprised!
Interestingly enough, his replacement at Rio is his brother, Moises Plascencia!
“To follow in Kathy Kriel’s footsteps at Tynes is hard,” Plascencia said. “She was exceptional! But, I feel honored to have the opportunity to come to an incredible school with a great team and help it continue to serve this community.”
Personally speaking, Plascencia is married to the love of his life, Denise, and they have two fabulous kids. Their son, Austin, is 12 and is a student at Kraemer Middle School. Their other son, Kamerin, is 9 and in thirdgrade at Linda Vista.
This coming December, (or possibly sooner) their number of children will double, as they are expecting identical twin daughters!
Plascencia says his wife is his hero.
“She has done an incredible job and is the calming force behind our home. She is positive, encouraging and steady on everything. We are blessed with a strong family.”
Denise works as a counselor at Kraemer Middle School.
Both boys are active soccer players and Austin plays the piano and violin. Plascencia also loves music and started out on violin in elementary school but didn’t continue on. He enjoys sports of all kinds, but only has time now to work with the boys in their team sport activities. One thing I observed from talking with Raphael, is that his family is very, very strong. I think we all need to remember that it is the family which makes or breaks a child! Plascencia was fortunate to come from a strong family, have a strong family himself, and lend this leadership as principal of his new Tynes family. How blessed they are!
Corinne Griffiths, a retired sixth-grade teacher from the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District, covers our students’ accomplishments. Fax items to 714-970-1525 or e-mail to CorinneEscobar@Griffiths.net.