Yerba Buena HS, Class of 1996
Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Santa Clara Unified School District

Dr. José Vicente González was born in San José, California, to migrant Mexican parents: Rosendo González and Guadalupe Pallares. His family moved to Tijuana where he lived in shanty towns without the basic necessities of potable water and electricity but with amazing creative experiences. His family returned to the Bay Area when he was in the middle of fourth grade, and he attended Los Arboles Elementary School.

Upon his arrival, Dr. González participated in the ESL program and was reclassified to regular English instruction thanks to the efforts of his amazing teachers at J.W. Fair Middle School. As with some Latino students, most of his friends joined gangs once in high school and even though he flirted with the invitation, he chose to continue his education. He graduated in 1996 with high honors from Yerba Buena High School and is grateful to his teachers and counselors for their competence, compassion, and commitment.

Dr. González attended Santa Clara University, graduated in 2000, and later obtained his first
M.A. from San José State University (SJSU). He received three teaching credentials from the
National Hispanic University and served as a teacher in Franklin McKinley School District, East
Side Union High School District, and Mission College. He later returned to SJSU and obtained a
second M.A. to become a school leader and started his administrative career at Latino College
Preparatory Academy. Simultaneously, he continued his passion for learning and instruction
and taught at the National Hispanic University in the graduate Teacher Education Program. He
completed his doctorate of education at the University of San Francisco in 2012.

During his tenure as a school principal serving the Mount Pleasant School District community,
Dr. González was recognized as Elementary Principal of the Year by the Association of
California School Administrators, was awarded a Golden Bell for his team’s effort in STEAM
education, was recognized by the Mexican Consulate as a strategic education partner, and
received the United District 5 “Individual Hero” Award with a commendation from the California
Legislature Assembly and the State of California Senate for providing after school enrichment
programs to his students. He has volunteered as a martial arts instructor for over fifteen years, providing free of charge self-defense classes to children and teenagers.

Dr. González is currently serving as the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources at Santa Clara Unified School District, continues to volunteer as a karate teacher, serves as an instructor in the Santa Clara County Office of Education Leaders in Educational Administration Program, and is committed in providing service with dignity and respect to positively impact the education of all students.