Cathleen Allison/Nevada Appeal Jose Delfin, Carson's associate superintendent, left, talks with Carson High School principal Ron Beck Tuesday night at an event honoring new teachers at the Governor's Mansion. Both administrators take new positions this year.
This time of year Jose Delfin's heart starts to beat a little faster, there's a sense of urgency.
"I'm a teacher through and through," he said. "I just happen to be an associate superintendent. Over 20 years in education and I still get excited about the first day of school. I don't think I'll ever get over that."
Delfin started his career as a teacher in the Washington D.C. area for 17 years, then moved to Las Vegas in 1991 for a teaching job and later moved into administration in human resources.
When the opportunity arose at Dayton High School, he left Las Vegas where the schools had about 3,000 students, to be the principal of 750 pupils.
"I really liked that size," he said. "Coming to Dayton felt like coming home. I was raised in rural Maryland in a similar culture, close community."
He served as principal there for two years before accepting the position as associate superintendent of human resources for the Carson City School District this year.
"I feel fortunate and blessed to work with such a great team with Richard Stokes at the helm," he said. "(Former superintendent) Mary Pierczynski has been a great mentor, along with (fellow associate superintendent) Sue Keema. We're able to collaborate and figure out what's best for kids."
He and his wife, Andrea, also a former school teacher, continue to live in Dayton with their two children David and Faith who attend Dayton Elementary School.
Delfin said he appreciates the sense of community offered in the area, and uses that to attract teachers to the district.
He tells them it's a place you can feel "sane."
"It's a great lifestyle with Tahoe a half-hour away," he said. "You really feel like you can get rooted here without the urban stresses of big cities."
In his position, he said, he'd like to streamline the online application process and "continue to find really highly qualified teachers for the district."
There are still a few open teaching positions for this year, and he invited those interested to apply online at www.carsoncityschools.com.
"This is going to be a phenomenal school year," he said.
• Contact reporter Teri Vance at tvance@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1272.
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