The following is a press release from the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District
Dr. Onyendu comes to SMMUSD with more than 14 years of education experience, recently serving as the Director of Admissions and Attendance and Assistant Principal for Palisades Charter High School.
She is known as a visionary, servant leader dedicated to student achievement and success. She brings an innate capacity to using communications skills to promote meaningful and effective relationships with students, staff and parents. As an educational leader, her goal has always been to create equitable, academically engaging learning experiences through an environment that fosters curiosity, risk-taking, collaboration, and student agency.
Prior to her two-and-a-half years with Pali, she served in various positions at schools in Mesquite, Texas. Prior positions included middle school Honors English Language Arts teacher, At-Risk Student Success Coordinator for a high school, and Assistant Principal / Academic Dean for a middle school.
Dr. Onyendu also served as a Lecturer for the College of Education at Western State Colorado University, where she prepared and delivered lectures and course materials to undergrad and grad students and provided training and guidance to new teachers.
“I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to serve both the district of Santa Monica-Malibu Unified and community of Roosevelt Elementary,” said Dr. Onyendu. “I look forward to immersing myself in the culture and collaboratively working with staff, parents, guardians, and the community to provide our students with an educational landscape that nurtures their talents, celebrates their boundless creativity, values their voices, and fosters their growth, all while instilling the power of education.”
Dr. Onyendu earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from teaching and research college, Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas; a master’s degree in educational administration from Lamar University in Texas, and a doctorate in educational administration from Texas A&M University, where she is also completing coursework for her superintendent certification.
“I would like to welcome Dr. Onyendu to the SMMUSD family,” said Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton. “We are looking forward to Dr. Onyendu continuing the tradition of excellence at Roosevelt Elementary School.”
Dr. Onyendu replaces Ms. Lynda Holeva who retired after serving as the Roosevelt Principal for seven years.
