It’s been just over a week since students returned to classes at Denair Unified School District. For students attending the Denair Charter Academy, they were welcomed back by a familiar face.

Back in May, DUSD superintendent Terry Metzger promoted longtime teacher Jamie Pecot to principal. She had taught at the school and then led the math program for the past nine years.

“Jamie knows the DCA program very well, has strong relationships with students and has the full confidence of staff. Cheers erupted on campus when her appointment was announced,” shared Metzger.

Pecot grew up in Livermore and came to the Central Valley to attend California State University, Stanislaus, where she earned a degree in math and an administrative credential. She began teaching math at Denair High School in 2005, then moved to DCA in 2014. She also has previous management experience as the summer school co-principal for four years as well as filling in during gaps between previous DCA principals.

Metzger praised Pecot for having taken progressively more complex leadership roles at DCA over the last several years and believes that her background prepared her to become the full-time principal.

This school year, the first-year principal is leading a staff of 24 teachers. DCA’s enrollment currently sits at about 120, but the number typically rises in the fall as high school students from throughout the region find their way to the independent study program. Regardless of age or grade level, Pecot said the relationships the staff forge with students and families is the key to their success.

“One of the best parts to working with DCA is that we get to make individualized lesson plans for students in order to engage the student and advance them in their education,” she said. “The staff is an energetic group of professionals with great ideas and a heart for helping students.

“Our staff goes above and beyond to help students and find resources for the families when we can. Each staff member has a certain population of students that he or she really connects with. The difference in the population could be age group or personality type. We do a great job of matching the student with the staff member who is going to help the student reach his or her goals.”

The Denair Pulse contributed to this article.