Kaiser retires, Irshay returns to LCMS





Ronald Kaiser

Ronald Kaiser

Ronald Kaiser, principal of Lindero Canyon Middle School, has announced his retirement after 21 years.

Taking his place at the Agoura Hills school is Abbe Irshay, principal of White Oak Elementary School in Westlake Village.

Although officially retired, Kaiser will work part-time as a consultant for Las Virgenes Unified School District.

Over the years, Kaiser has overseen many changes and developed programs that have become the pride of the school district, according to district officials.

Lindero has become known for its art and music programs. The school’s focus on the arts has allowed students to “express their humanity,” he said.

In 2009 Lindero won the Bravo Award sponsored by the Music Center of Los Angeles County. The Bravo Award is given to teachers and schools for providing exemplary education in the full spectrum of art, including visual arts, music and drama.

“I am proud of much, like being the first LVUSD secondary school to win the National Blue Ribbon Award,” Kaiser said.

In January, one of Kaiser’s longtime dreams was realized. Students returned from winter break to an essentially new school. Most of the $32-million school expansion and renovation project has been completed, and Kaiser couldn’t be more pleased.

“I am proud to have overseen the construction of our new beautiful campus that reflects the great heart within it,” he said. In a letter to parents announcing his retirement, Kaiser said that, while had been considering retirement for a while, the “challenge of construction” had energized him.

The construction project is almost complete. Seven new classrooms, including rooms for fine and industrial arts, are almost done. A new multipurpose room, which will house the school’s band, strings and vocal programs and serve as a venue for performances, is still in the works, he said.

Awards and construction aside, Kaiser said one of his greatest achievements as principal was ensuring that students were provided with an education based on the highest academic standards “in a nurturing and supportive environment.”

To that end, teacher training has been a focus for Kaiser. He said 18 teachers have been trained in brain-based learning, techniques that engage students on many levels of development.

Kaiser launched his career with Las Virgenes as an English teacher at A.E. Wright Middle School, where he became an assistant principal in 1985. He became principal in 1990.

Kaiser said he will miss the “superb faculty” at Lindero as well as the daily interactions he had with “devoted parents.” He said most of all he will miss the “smiling faces of our students and witnessing their extraordinary artistic and academic achievements.”

Irshay returns

Dr. Abbe Irshay said she is excited to return to the Lindero campus as principal. She joined the Las Virgenes district in 1996 as assistant principal of Lindero. After eight years she was promoted to principal at White Oak Elementary School, a position she has held for six years.

Irshay is an innovator and, like Kaiser, a supporter of arts in education.

“I believe in developing the whole child, so giving them opportunities in the arts, sports (and) academics in school are essential components to a successful program,” she said. “Children must have a variety of areas in which to excel, not just in academics.”

Irshay has also been instrumental in helping students who don’t qualify for special education services but are struggling nonetheless. The Response to Intervention reading program at White Oak helped the school maintain high standardized test scores.

“My early focus was on our special education program,” Irshay said. “My belief is that when special education works well so does the rest of the school.”

Irshay has earned acclaim from district officials for other programs at White Oak, including a campus beautification effort, which included the creation of original murals around the school and several tile walls in the courtyard.

Irshay served on several districtwide committees, including a technology group that made changes in computerized math programs. A new math program allows students to work at their own level at school or at home.

The first districtwide elementary school song fest this year was another innovation of Irshay’s. She has also served on the district’s Visual and Performing Arts Committee and the Curriculum Council and has mentored several new elementary principals over the past few years.

At Lindero, Irshay hopes to develop joint goals between teachers, students and parents.

“ Abbe brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will enable Lindero to build upon its well-deserved reputation and develop new options and opportunities geared to 21st century learning,” said LVUSD superintendent Donald Zimring.


Abbe Irshay

Abbe Irshay

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