VCUSD Announces Hirings of New Leaders

VALLEJO, Calif. – The Vallejo City Unified School District (VCUSD) announced hiring a new assistant superintendent of human resources and principals for four schools, marking an exciting new chapter in the district’s commitment to student success and academic excellence.

The following individuals will take on leadership roles at the district, Pennycook and Highland Elementary Schools, as well as Vallejo and Jesse Bethel High Schools:

• Matthew Chamberlain – Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources
• Rasheena Bell Fesseha – Principal, Jesse Bethel High School
• Jessica Frank – Principal, Pennycook Elementary
• Dr. Christi Glasco – Principal, Highland Elementary
• Beyonka Marshall – Principal, Vallejo High School

“We are thrilled to welcome these new leaders into the VCUSD family,” Superintendent Ruben Aurelio said. “Each individual brings a wealth of experience, dedication, and a shared vision for empowering our students and supporting our communities. They are poised to lead passionately, inspire staff and students, and foster an environment where every child can thrive.”

The top leader of the Human Resources Department will begin leading the division on July 1, 2025, guiding recruitment and retention, championing employee wellness and professional growth, and fostering collaborative labor-management relationships to support every VCUSD staff member’s success.

The new principals have extensive education, leadership, and community engagement backgrounds. They will work closely with students, staff, and families to build on the district’s ongoing equity, inclusion, and academic achievement initiatives.

“We are confident that their leadership will positively impact our students and help us continue our mission of providing high-quality education for every child in our district,” Aurelio added.

The district is excited about the new school year and looks forward to continuing to collaborate with families and community partners to support student success.

Matthew Chamberlain, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
Chamberlain has been the Director of Human Resources at the Pittsburg Unified School District for nearly four years. He has also worked as a teacher, principal, and district administrator at many districts around the Bay Area, including Martinez Unified School District and San Ramon Valley Unified School District. Chamberlain earned his bachelor’s degree in social science and history from the University of California,  Berkeley and his law and master’s from John F. Kennedy University. 

Rasheena Bell Fesseha, Jesse Bethel High School
Bell Fesseha is an equity-driven educational leader from Vallejo with 23 years of experience spanning public schools. Rising from paraprofessional to principal, she pairs firsthand insight into classroom realities with a relentless commitment to closing opportunity gaps and nurturing inclusive, student-centered learning. A proud graduate of Jesse Bethel High School and alumna of UCLA’s social-justice-focused Principal Leadership Institute, Rasheena has spent the last nine years as an assistant principal and principal in San Francisco Unified. 

Jessica Frank, Pennycook Elementary
Frank joined VCUSD in August 2024 as a vice principal at Vallejo High School. Prior to that, she was a music teacher in Southern California. She is a National Board Certified Teacher who brings passion, creativity, and a commitment to student success. Frank earned her bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism at San Jose State University, a master’s in communication management from the University of Southern California, and her administrative credential from the Santa Clara County Office of Education. 

Dr. Christi Glasco, Highland Elementary
Dr. Glasco has been a dedicated educator for more than a decade, holding key leadership positions in Vallejo, including vice principal at Hogan Middle School. In her most recent position as Mare Island Health and Fitness Academy principal, Dr. Glasco leveraged data-driven decision-making to shape targeted professional development for educators. She earned her doctorate in educational leadership from Concordia University in Portland, Ore., and holds a master’s degree in teaching from the same institution. She is also certified with preliminary administrative and single-subject teaching credentials.

Beyonka Marshall, Vallejo High School
Marshall began her career as an educator at Lincoln Child Care Center in Oakland, laying the foundation for a future in educational leadership. In 2022, she joined Vallejo High School, her alma mater, as a vice principal, where she played a key role in teacher and staff evaluations, strategic planning, and leading professional development initiatives. Now stepping into the principal role at VCUSD’s flagship high school, Marshall brings a strong academic background, holding a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville and a master’s degree in urban education from Touro University. She also carries credentials in mild/moderate special education and educational administration.