From a student essay:

How can we describe our principal? He is an energetic, outgoing, all-around professional (someone that would love to have the superpower to breathe underwater and solve the mysteries of the ocean). That?s one way to describe Mr. Vander Zee.

He came as principal from Lee Mathson Middle School, after receiving a call from the East Side Union High School District to be Lick's principal. Mr. Vander Zee decided to do some undercover work, visiting the campus. Everywhere he walked, students were friendly, and he realized that James Lick is just the school he wanted to work at.

Since his arrival Lick's test scores have continued to rise. Mr. Vander Zee's mission is Moving Forward, basically meaning to improve test scores, to improve the school,and to change students' outlook.

Apart from being a full-time principal, he loves to spend time with his wife Dalia and his daughter Anja Sofia. He enjoys reading, and googling. With Mr. Vander Zee?s help James Lick will soon be the best school it can be.

As he always says, We need to be Moving Forward.?

From a student essay:

Believe in yourself that you can accomplish anything that you put your mind to. Know that the teachers and staff here at James Lick are always here to help you.

Mr. Brown is our associate principal of educational development (APED). He has worked at Lick for over a year and a half.

James Lick is his first administrative position. Like all Principals he wants students to succeed. He is responsible for tests such as the CAHSEE and the Star testing. He also came up with the master schedule for our classes this year. Mr. Brown expects his students to make decisions now that will provide them with the greatest opportunities later on in life. He wants students to do well in school and take the proper courses so college is an option.

Mr. Brown really enjoys working here with the staff and students. Besides enjoying taking his role as the APED, he also enjoys archery, going to ranges, and staying home watching DVD's. Mr. Brown hopes students will succeed, and with his help, we can be sure the results are for a better future.

From a student essay:

Mr. Esparza is a principal who likes to fish, hunt, exercise and advocate for athletics. He has been working at James Lick High School for three and a half years, transferring from a program called the East Side Cadet Academy, a community day school sponsored by the district.

One day he was called upon from the superintendent with the opportunity to work at James Lick. He came with the hope of changing the academic and cultural change at James Lick. So far, he feels successful to have accomplished a bond with students and creating an atmosphere where students can feel that it is okay to come to school, enhancing the feeling of being proud to be a student attending James Lick High School. Mr. Esparza not only shows a caring feature when doing work at school, he involves school in everyday life.

He is married and has four kids. He also has a passion for wrestling. Not only that, but Mr. Esparza is a person students feel comfortable around. He enjoys being here at James Lick High School and if he had a superpower, he would ?make every student a success story and teach every student how to utilize every tool for life through education.?