Alissa Changala, a former student at Northwood, was appointed as the new assistant principal in early July following Eric Keith’s promotion to principal. 

As assistant principal, Changala will oversee the ASB, Math, World Languages and Athletics departments. With support from the rest of the administration team, Changala hopes to foster a school-life balance for students while setting them up to achieve their goals after high school.

“Our job as educators is to help all students see their potential and their own growth,” Changala said. “Every kid has a hidden genius inside them, so whether they love math, theater, sports or anything else, I want to help them thrive and nurture them into their best selves.”

Changala has been working in education for nearly two decades, including as the founding assistant principal at Esperanza College Prep in Los Angeles, where she develop ed classroom management and college application resources. She most recently developed curriculum and monitored academic performance across six charter schools as Director of Academic Programming at Ednovate Inc. in Los Angeles. 

While a Northwood student, Changala was actively involved in ASB, including as ASB president in her senior year. She also participated in varsity sports, where she was a volleyball libero, basketball point guard and lacrosse middie. According to Changala, this deep sense of community drew her to return to Northwood as assistant principal. 

“NHS supported [my siblings and me] to take risks, learn from our mistakes, think critically and leave something better than we found it,” Changala said. “I feel lucky to be back working with the staff that supported me so wholeheartedly, and I’m excited to pass that forward.”

That close bond with her teachers, including former Northwood principal Leslie Roach, inspired Changala to pursue education and later administration. 

“She was so spirited and enthusiastic about school and all the opportunities she could engage in when she was a student, and even now, she’s still so passionate about creating great opportunities for all students,” Roach said. “I’m really excited for Northwood and her to work together. I know she’s going to be a great addition to the staff and make Northwood even better than it already is.”

Those with any questions, comments or suggestions for the administration team can contact Changala at [email protected] or 949-936-7207.

“I was always waiting for the right time to come back to Northwood because it is like a second home to me,” Changala said. “I loved every minute that I was here as a student, and I’m happy to be able to contribute to the incredible legacy of commitment and excellence that Northwood has towards its students.”