District Administration
Dr. Maribel Garcia is the Superintendent of the El Monte City School District. Dr. Garcia is a product of El Monte City Schools having attended Columbia School and graduated from El Monte High School. Armed with a passion for educating and empowering El Monte youth, she embarked on her teaching career in 1998 at the very school she attended – Columbia School. Aiming to effect greater change on behalf of students, Dr. Garcia served as Assistant Principal of Rio Hondo School, and later, Columbia School. In 2008 she became principal at Columbia where she implemented systems that drastically improved the school’s standing. In 2013 she was appointed as Superintendent. Dr. Garcia attended UCLA and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership. She is an active member of the El Monte community, serving on boards and supports organizations that promote quality of life, access to resources, and equitable opportunities for El Monte students. Dr. Garcia enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with her family and friends.Email: [email protected]
Phone: 626-453-3798
Steve Sallenbach is the Deputy Superintendent of Personnel and Administrative Services. He began his education as a kindergartener at Cortada School. He is proud of the fact that he grew up in El Monte and is a product of the El Monte City School District. He graduated from El Monte High School in 1987. Steve earned his Bachelors of Arts in Human Development, Teaching Credential and Masters in Education from Azusa Pacific University and his Administrative Credential from Point Loma Nazarene University. Steve began his teaching career in the El Monte City School District as a 6th grade teacher at Le Gore Elementary. He would later move into administration as the assistant principal at Potrero Elementary, the school that he attended as a 7th & 8th grade student and then as the assistant principal at Durfee Elementary. In 2010 he was promoted to principal of Frank M. Wright. He is proud and honored to be serving in the district that gave so much to him as a child. Steve is married and has two children. He loves to spend his free time with his family going camping and attending swim competitions that his children compete in.Email: [email protected]
Phone: 626-453-3723
Dr. Pinedo will start her 24th year with the El Monte City School District as the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. She has served our district as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and most recently as the Director of Instruction and Assessment. Teresa grew up in the El Monte community and has always had a heart for her students and the families that she has served. She is passionate about student outcomes and disrupting the cycle of poverty through education. One of Dr. Pinedo’s favorite quotes is by R. Ingersoll, “We rise by lifting others.”Email: [email protected]
Phone: 626-453-3728
José Marcelino Herrera is the Assistant Superintendent of Business Services. Herrera was formerly the Director of Budget and Accounting at East Whittier City School District (EWCSD). In addition to being licensed as a Certified Public Accountant, Herrera is certified as a Chief Business Official through the California Association of School Business Officials. He graduated with honors from the University of California, Los Angeles with a dual degree in Economics and Latin American Studies. Herrera and his wife Elizabeth live in Whittier, both are active members of the community. Elizabeth is a dance teacher for EWCSD and they have a young daughter. Herrera enjoys spending time with his family, playing basketball, and performing music with his five siblings who form the musical group Hermanos Herrera.Email: [email protected]
Phone: 626-453-3790