By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
New principals hired at Widmer, Knodt & Golden West schools
MUSD logo

Manteca Unified has hired four new administrators.

They inlcude Tarsha Taylor-Godfrey who will serve as principal of Joseph Widmer Elementary School, Tony Shah who will serve as Golden West Elementary School, Lemuel Vergara who will serve as principal of August Knodt Elementary, and Dennis Foster as MUSD’s Emergency Preparedness and Safety Coordinator.

Taylor-Godfrey joins the Widmer staff with 25 years of experience as an educator in the state of California. She worked in the Bay Area for 16 years and the Central Valley for the last 9 years. hER teaching experience spans every level from K-12 and diverse communities from urban to rural. She holds a master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language which has guided her service in MUSD as an ELD teacher and EL literacy coach. 

“I am thrilled to be a part of the Joseph Widmer school community,” Taylor-Godfrey said. “As a long-time resident of the City of Lathrop, I am eager to help contribute to this vibrant community after the impacts of the pandemic. Families are eager to participate in any way that they can, and I am eager to welcome them in.”

Appointed by the Board in January, Shah brings over 20 years of experience as an educator to Golden West School, 16 of which were spent as an administrator. Born and raised in San Joaquin County, Dr. Shah is a graduate of San Joaquin Delta College, Sacramento State, and University of the Pacific where he earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership. A first-generation college graduate and son of Pakistani immigrants, Shah understands the critical need to serve all students.  

 "I am most excited and humbled to serve as principal of Golden West Elementary School,” Shah said. “I will do all I can to promote the learning and school supports that ensure all students are best prepared for high school, college, and a career in a competitive economy. I will diligently serve our students, teachers, staff, and community members. I have a passion for promoting equity and aim for all students to receive rigorous and relevant instruction in a safe and inclusive environment."

August Knodt Principal Vergara was born and raised in the East Bay, earning a bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University and a master’s degree from UC Berkeley. He taught throughout San Jose and Union City for many years, eventually becoming a vice principal.

following his tenure in East Bay, Vergara accepted a principalship in Lammersville Unified School District where he served for nine years before transitioning to Tracy Unified. Seeking to further support school success, Vergara served as Director of Human Resources in Sylvan Union School District before returning to the role of principal in Byron Union School District after missing student interactions and the school-site environment. Additionally, he has coached youth basketball, baseball, and football.

"This new chapter in Manteca Unified gives me the opportunity to serve a community that I hope to make home,” Vergara said. “Connection to my school community is very important in how I collaborate with colleagues and families toward student success.  Because I believe in building and maintaining strong relationships, I look forward to making connections and positively impacting student growth."   

Foster joins Manteca Unified as the district’s Emergency Preparedness and Safety Coordinator with 23 years of experience working in public education.

After receiving a bachelor’s degree from UC Davis and master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from University of the Pacific, he served as a social science teacher for 11 years. Following his teaching tenure, Mr. Foster transitioned into leadership by becoming a school administrator – to date, he has served as a principal, assistant principal, vice principal, and athletic director.

In his role as Emergency Preparedness and Safety Coordinator, Foster will develop, manage, and maintain School Safety Plans, Emergency Response Procedures, and the District Emergency Plan, provide oversight and support to the Workplace Infection Prevention (WIP) team and its processes, and act as a liaison between the district and various emergency responder agencies as needed.

Additionally, he will oversee and manage the district’s emergency preparedness management system and coordinate safety training and support for school site and district administration.

“I am thrilled that this new chapter in my career will allow me to use my past experiences to positively support the students, staff, and community of Manteca Unified,” Foster said.

“As I set my focus on safety through the lens of MUSD's mission and vision, I will continue to build upon MUSD’s preparedness goals.”