“I am a first generation college student, which has shown me the incredible opportunities that school can open up for you,” Maria Luisa De Seta, one of M-A’s two new Administrative Vice Principals (AVPs), said.
De Seta grew up in Cosenza, Italy, a small town in the southern region of Calabria. “I loved education in Italy from a very young age. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher,” she said.
As a teenager, De Seta worked as a tutor to become more independent and to help support her family. After studying history at the University of Calabria, De Seta started teaching history as well as Latin and Greek to her community. “It was always very comforting living in a small town with family and friends who know you well and understand your traditions,” she said.
De Seta moved to San Francisco in 2013 after meeting her husband in Germany during a PhD fellowship program. She worked in San Francisco as an Italian teacher at Lowell High School, and later transitioned to Woodside High School, where she taught Latin. Since 2018, De Seta has been M-A’s Latin Teacher and has also taught AVID. “Working in education has been a chance for me to make an impact on students and guide them on a path towards success,” she said.
This year, De Seta will be one of three AVPs. “I loved working as a Latin teacher, but working in administration has always been a goal of mine. I feel like I can accomplish more in this position,” she said.
De Seta specifically works with 11th and 12th graders, oversees athletics, and makes sure all campus facilities run smoothly. Like the other AVPs, De Seta is also involved in student discipline, supporting teachers, and meeting with parents. “I hope to be a mentor to students and support them with all their needs, whether that’s resolving a conflict or celebrating a success,” she said.
I hope to be a mentor to students and support them with all their needs, whether that’s resolving a conflict or celebrating a success.
Outside of work, De Seta has a 14-year-old daughter, a nine-year-old son, and a pet bunny. She enjoys attending her kids’ soccer games, going to the gym, and hiking at the beach.
Having worked at M-A since 2018, De Seta is ready to tackle a bigger role. “There are many things that can happen on such a big campus and many challenges that arise, but M-A has wonderful staff and an amazing team in the administrative office, so I am confident this position will be great for me,” De Seta concluded. “I look forward to working with as many students as I can.”
