Affable, erudite, and with a welcoming smile, Superintendent Dr. Wendy Doty is one of the newest additions to the staff of the El Segundo School District. 

            Although she is a very scholarly person, she still retains the same fun-loving qualities as that of a high school student, with interests ranging from shopping for clothes to going to the movies.  She enjoys interacting with teenagers because of their, “more advanced knowledge and ability to talk about significant issues.”  Doty is also very involved in school events,“ I really enjoyed being in the parade and going to Homecoming.  It really made me feel good to be able to interact with the students.”

            As a high school student, Doty was an extremely involved person. Along with  maintaining her good grades. She acted as editor of the yearbook, was a student body representative, and was an active member and president of many clubs.  “I established most of the leadership qualities that I use today while I was in high school.”

            Her diverse background of educational experience, both as an instructor and a student, has provided her with a wealth of talent.  Doty has accumulated degrees from Rio Hondo College, San Diego State University, Whittier College, and the University of Southern California.  Her educational honors from these schools include Graduation with Honors from San Diego State, and Faculty Scholarship and Dean’s List from Rio Hondo.  

            Her career began in 1974 when she took her first education-related position as a substitute teacher for grades kindergarten through twelfth.  It was this job in which Doty first fell in love with teaching.  “I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I was in high school,” commented Doty, “but after I began substituting I fell in-love with teaching.”

            It was during her teaching position at South Middle School (1977-84), her first long-term position, that she began to deeply involve herself in school events.  She became involved in fund raising, was the advisor of student council, worked with scholarships, and was the chairperson of the English Department.  “I loved being involved in the school,” she said, “It was fun for me to be able plan assemblies, dances, and other activities.”

            Her focuses also began to hone-in on the importance of reading and her desire to help those with struggling students.  “I will always hold a special place in my heart for those students who struggle,” stated Doty.  This devotion is shown by her intense involvement in remedial and regular reading classes. 

            During the 1983-84 school year, her final year of teaching for South Middle School, she was awarded the Teacher of the Year Award.  Doty noted that, “It was a great honor to receive this recognition out of the many potential candidates.”

            Throughout the following years, she began to climb the “ladder,” leaving the classroom in 1984 to pursue administrative positions.  She became Principal of Griffiths Middle School in 1988.  In the final year of her position of principal (1990-91), Griffiths school was nominated as a State of California “Blue Ribbon” award nominee. 

            A year following that, she accomplished one of her life goals, to earn a doctorate which she did at the University of Southern California.  Doty was now set to accomplish her second goal: to become superintendent of a school district.  Following her position at the Griffiths she received three “PTA Honorary Service Awards” and the “Woman of the Year Award.”

            She hadn’t found a position until the retirement of El Segundo Superintendent Dr. Bill Watkins.  Once the space was available she was quick to apply, and the El Segundo School District, noticing her many credits, was quick to accept her. 

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