Jay Trujillo is a Professional Development Associate with the Leadership and Learning Center. He has served as principal in the Jurupa School District in California, and opened Patriot High School (Riverside, CA). Nine years as a high school principal and 13 years as principal overall, Jay has led his schools to extraordinary results. For example, over five years, student achievement gains in Jay’s previous high school ranked #1 among 82 comprehensive high schools in his Southern California region. In his local county alone (45 comprehensive high schools), Jay’s school ranked #1 in improvement over two, three, and four years respectively. This consistent progress earned his school two “Model of Excellence Awards.”
Impressively, student achievement progress in Jay’s school (3,100 ADA) occurred despite an ever-increasing diverse student population (e.g., free lunch, English Learners, transient, parent education level, children of color). Moreover, Jay’s school’s performance goes beyond student achievement. His school posted three consecutive school records in daily attendance and college-going rates, and a 300% increase in students enrolled in Advanced Placement Classes. Jay’s school received visitors from throughout his state and from as far away as Denver and Washington, DC to see and learn what works, firsthand.
Jay’s accomplishments have earned him Principal of the Year honors in his district two times, and he was twice a Riverside County Finalist (430+ schools) for this same award. His professional background and experience include four years as a middle school principal, three years as a curriculum/assessment coordinator, and multiple roles as a high school teacher (e.g., ASB, Coach, Union Rep, Mentor Teacher). Jay is a certified “cognitive coach,” and he has served in several adjunct leadership capacities throughout his career (e.g., Foreign Language State Framework Committee, U.S. Department of Education Grant Reader, WASC Visiting Committee Member, Loaned Executive for the United Way). Equally comfortable in elementary or secondary settings, Jay is credible, dynamic, and sensitive to audiences from teachers to senior leaders, to community members. In his 21 years of public service, he has received numerous accolades at the local, state, and national levels.
Jay loves the outdoors, reading action novels, and watching his three children learn and grow.
Video Introduction
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What Clients Say
“Jay has established a strong relationship with my staff and has so much credibility because of his work at his school.”
—Giuseppe Mendolia, Brooklyn Junior High School
“Jay did a wonderful job and was attentive to meeting the areas of weakness I expressed to him. I would recommend Jay for anyone and I have. He did an exceptional job and my staff gained a greater understanding of data teams, analyzing data and changing instruction.”
—Dr. Anthony Robinson, Principal, Ritenour High School
“Everything in this session was supportive of the direction I am leading at my school. Thank you for re-invigorating us as we set a course for this year!”
—Randy Haggard, Principal, Yosemite Unified School District, CA
“Thank you for your time and stories, as well as the information presented. It was entertaining as well as informative.”
—Karen Gallagher, Teacher, Chowchilla Elementary School District, CA
