Cal students will see a new face on campus over the course of the next few months as Janet Terranova serves as Cal High’s interim principal.

While Principal Sarah Cranford is on  maternity leave to welcome a new baby boy into her family, Terranova has stepped in as interim principal for the remainder of the school year.

Terranova is the former principal of Monte Vista and former assistant principal at Cal. She has also taught in Oakland and Southern California.

Her focus in teaching has predominantly been centered around special education classrooms, ranging from preschool to college students.

It was through such exposure to diverse school environments that Terranova developed her own personal belief about students.

“My philosophy is that kids are kids no matter where they are,” Terranova said. “I’ve taught in a rural area in Southern California, I’ve served in an Indian reservation, and worked in Oakland. The kids are the same, but I think each school certainly has its own personality and set of needs.”

Even after experiencing such a wide range of school settings, Terranova finds herself back where her heart is.

“I’ve taught in classes all over the spectrum, but mostly high school,” she said. “High school is my love.”

Eight years ago, Terranova left Cal to take on the role as principal at Monte Vista, where she remained until last June when she retired. It wasn’t too long after her retirement that Terranova was once more summoned to Cal to continue her work as an interim principal in early April.

“I love Cal High. [It’s] a great place to be,” she said. “The kids are friendly and the staff are fun. I know a number of the teachers who were here when I was here,” said Terranova.

Cal certainly seems to have retained many of its qualities while Terranova was here. But over the span of eight years, the campus has also experienced some remarkable changes.

“When I left, the main building was just being built and they were in the process of starting some other things, but that was it,” said Terranova, “The parking lot has certainly improved.”

Nearly a decade later, Terranova is back on campus in a new role.

“I enjoyed Mrs. Terranova when she was vice principal,” said English teacher Ted Levey. “She has a teaching background and I always found her to be really helpful. She understands kids and adults very well.”

Terranova and Cranford have known each other for some time now and became close friends during the years they worked together in the same school district.

“I’ve known her since she first came into the district as an assistant principal,” said Terranova.

While students at Cal can enjoy Terranova’s time here as interim principal, they can definitely also look forward to Cranford’s return by the end of the school year.

Cranford said by email that she planned to be back in time for graduation. In the meantime, Terranova hopes to enjoy her time here while connecting with Cal and all of its old and new aspects.

“It kind of feels like I’m coming home,” said Terranova.