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FARMINGTON — Davis School District on Tuesday announced a new assistant superintendent as Jacqueline Thompson will be retiring from the position just six months into the job.
Stepping into the role of assistant superintendent is veteran educator Fidel Montero, who brings a wealth of educational experience — garnered both in and outside the Beehive State — to the district.
Montero was appointed to the position by district superintendent Dan Linford, who said Montero's "background, experience and expertise will be an invaluable and incredible asset to Davis School District and our students here."
"His focus on student learning and his knowledge and understanding of organizational development are fantastic and we are excited to have him as a member of our leadership team," Linford said.
In his new role, Montero will work with the district's Office of Equal Opportunity — an office that his predecessor established. He will also handle other responsibilities as he works closely with a number of district departments, according to a release from the district.
Montero will assume the assistant superintendent position with 20 years of education experience under his belt, including the last six years as principal of Timpview High School in the Provo School District.
Before serving as Timpview principal, Montero worked as chief of staff to former Utah Valley University President Matt Holland, principal at Alta High School in the Canyons School District, superintendent-intern at Miami-Dade Public Schools in Florida — the fourth largest public school district in the U.S. — and at the School District of Philadelphia.
"Serving children at any level is a humbling stewardship I will never take for granted," Montero said in a release. "My personal journey, blended with my academic training and professional experience, uniquely equips me with the context to support the people that make up (Davis School District)."
Montero's educational journey has also included work as an educational consultant in the Los Angeles area and Utah, and as a seventh-and eighth-grade Spanish-English Language and history teacher at Dixon Middle School in Provo.
As part of a family that immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico, growing up as a migrant worker instilled in him what he says are values that forged his experience as a college graduate and educator, the release says.
When it comes to his own educational pursuits, Montero holds a doctorate of education in leadership and management, as well as a Master of Education from Columbia University and a Master of Education in educational leadership and foundations and a Bachelor of Arts in social science teaching from Brigham Young University.
He is also a published author, presenter and public speaker, serves as a board member for multiple community organizations, and is an adjunct faculty member at Brigham Young University, according to the release.
Montero will officially begin his duties on Aug. 8.
"I believe we can make education remarkable, accessible and life-changing to all students," Montero said in a release. "By working together, we can cement the role of (Davis School District) among the most influential K-12 institutions in the United States."
