GLENDALE, CA—Newly selected GUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Escalante had the opportunity on June 24 to meet and get to know area Armenian civic and business leaders, during a reception held in his honor by the Armenian National Committee-Glendale Chapter.

In addition to Glendale Councilman Rafi Manoukian, many leaders in the field of education also attended the reception, including GUSD Assistant Superintendent Alice Petrossian, GUSD Board President Greg Krikorian, and Glendale College Board of Trustees members Dr. Armine Hacopian and Ara James Najarian.

It also provided Escalante his first opportunity to become acquainted with not only representatives of area Armenian organizations including the Armenian National Committee, the Armenian Relief Society, and Homenetmen, but also with Glendale City department heads and board members of Armenian descent.

“I have been to many receptions over the years,” said Escalante, “but I have to say that this is by far the most professional and elegant one I have ever been a part of, and I can’t thank you enough for opening your doors to me the way that you have.”

Glendale ANC chairman Artin Manoukian welcomed Escalante to his new position, “We have a fantastic school district, and I am certain that he will maintain the district’s stellar reputation. We look forward to being a resource to Dr. Escalante for issues concerning the tens of thousands of Armenian students in the district.”

Prior to accepting the position of Superintendent at GUSD, Escalante served as Superintendent of the Fullerton school district. Under his leadership, the Fullerton district was able to establish new technology networks for all schools, pass a $68 million general obligation bond for facilities, build new school site facilities and modernize existing buildings, formulate policy on the fair share of developers toward new facility costs, design and implement a district-wide instructional initiative to improve teacher instruction and student achievement, and reduce district overhead by $1.5 million annually in centralized services, so funding could be directed into classrooms.

Escalante holds an EdD in educational leadership from the University of Southern California, a MA degree in educational administration from Loyola Marymount University, and a BA degree in history and industrial arts from San Diego State University.

His career in public education began in 1973 as an elementary teacher in the Hawthorne School District, where he also taught English as a second language to adult learners.