John Costanzo,

Principal

As a result of several interviews, support of family, friends and district administration, I have the good fortune of being the Principal at Rio Norte Junior High School. It has been a very exciting experience and I plan to carry on the traditions and outstanding reputation of the school.

Prior to coming to Rio Norte, I taught in the Glendale Unified and Arcadia Unified School Districts from 1977 to 1997. During this time, I was involved in special education and taught health, physical education, and driver education. I was also an Assistant Principal at Crescenta Valley, Saugus, and West Ranch High Schools from 1997 to 2007. These were all valuable experiences which contributed to my training for this position.

I am an alumnus of California State University, Los Angeles where I earned my bachelor’s degree in physical education and master’s degree in health and safety studies. I also attended La Verne University and Chapman University where I received my administrative credentials.

Rio Norte is a wonderful school with an outstanding staff which allows all students to achieve their goals. The students are encouraged to connect with the school to ensure a valuable learning experience that prepares them for high school. In addition, we want them to have a positive junior high school experience which motivates them to take advantage of all of the programs offered in high school.

I am getting to know the staff, students, and parents of Rio Norte in order to better serve them. Everyone has been very friendly and supportive which has contributed to a pleasant transitional period and the outlook for a productive school year.

Rita Thomas

Assistant Principal (A-K)

Rita Thomas, Ph.D., moved to the Rio Norte Junior High assistant principal position from her former role as an administrator in the Hart District office. Dr. Thomas has more than 20 years of experience as a teacher and administrators in grades K-12 and higher education. Since joining the Hart District staff in 1994 she has served as a program specialist, administrator of special education and administrator of career development and workforce preparation.

Betti Sternberg,

Assistant Principal (L -Z)

Rio Norte Junior High School is an extremely special place because of outstanding students, staff and families. I am happy to continue to be a part of the Rio Norte academic community. I have spent my entire career working as an educator in the Santa Clarita Valley.

For twelve years I taught grades two through six and special education for the Sulphur Springs Union School District. In 1983 I came to the Hart District as a special education teacher at Sierra Vista Junior High School. I spent seventeen years there, primarily teaching mathematics.

For the next three years, I served as a consultant for the Hart District’s Peer Assistance and Review program, where I mentored and evaluated new teachers. I was pleased to be on the teaching staff at Rio Norte Junior High School the first year it opened. This gave me an opportunity to teach in the block schedule.

Since that time I have served as an assistant principal at Rio Norte, working to continue and improve the outstanding educational practices. It is truly a pleasure to work with such a talented and concerned group of teachers. The support of the parent community is incredible. I am very happy to be at Rio Norte Junior High School .