Administration

Co-Principal

Yaneli Rivera

As Principal of Sycamore Magnet Academy, I am dedicated to creating an environment where every child feels valued, respected, and supported. Our committed teachers, involved parents, and innovative students make our school a thriving, community, nurturing tomorrow's global leaders.

This is my 16th year in education, with six years in administration, I hold a Bachelor’s in Communications and Master’s degrees in Educational Leadership and Educational Technology. I am passionate about building strong relationships with students and families to ensure the best opportunities for success. I believe in fostering a sense of belonging for all students and parents while promoting collaboration among teachers to deliver high-quality education that meets the diverse needs of our elementary learners. My goal is to create a respectful and empowering community for everyone at Sycamore.

In addition to being principal, I am also a mother of two boys. Mr. Rivera and I enjoy spending time outdoors with our children, especially camping by a lake so we can fish together. As a parent, I deeply understand the importance of creating a school environment where children feel safe, valued, and excited to learn. I often reflect on how I want my own children to feel at school—supported, encouraged, and part of a strong community—and I bring those same principles to Sycamore Magnet Academy. My goal is to ensure that every student feels the same sense of belonging and care, helping them thrive both academically and personally in a nurturing, collaborative environment.

email — yrivera@tustin.k12.ca.us

Co-Principal

Christian Quintero, Ed. D.

Dr. Quintero brings nearly two decades of experience in K-12 public education. Most recently, he served as the Coordinator of Community Schools for the Orange County Department of Education, where he led and supported the implementation of initiatives across multiple districts, serving as a critical link between LEAs and school sites. Prior to this, he served as the Director of Community and Student Engagement with Centralia Elementary School District, in addition to serving as principal and teacher with the Los Angeles School of Global Studies. 

“I am so excited to join the TUSD Family and to be part of the Sycamore Magnet Academy community,“ shared Dr. Quintero. “I look forward to learning from and alongside our students, families, teachers, and staff.  Through our collective efforts, we will continue to build a thriving school community at SMA.”

“Dr. Quintero brings a depth of experience in both teaching and leadership that aligns well with the vision of Sycamore Magnet Academy,” said Superintendent Dr. Mark Johnson. “His student-centered mindset and collaborative leadership style align well with our district’s mission and vision.”

Dr. Quintero earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership for Social Justice from Loyola Marymount University. He holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from California State University, Los Angeles, and a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he also earned his Single Subject Teaching Credential in Social Studies with a Bilingual Crosscultural Language and Academic Development (BCLAD) authorization in Spanish. He completed his undergraduate studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Economic History.

email — chquintero@tustin.k12.ca.us