Murrieta Mesa's Walters Promoted to District Level; Interim Principal Announced

A familiar face will be missing from campus when Murrieta Mesa High School students return to classes in August.

Principal Mary Walters is leaving her post because she has been promoted to a position at the district level, Murrieta Valley Unified School District Superintendent Pat Kelley announced Thursday.

Walters—affectionately known as “Mama Ram” to many of her students and staff—will serve as the district’s director of student support. 

The 2013 Riverside County Principal of the Year has held the lead role at Murrieta Mesa since it opened in 2009. She’s served in the district since 1991, first as a teacher and then as assistant principal and deputy principal at Murrieta Valley High School.

“Walters established Mesa’s innovative 21st Century programs where students can pursue career pathways in liberal studies, engineering, medical, business/culinary and visual and performing arts,” stated Karen Parris, spokeswoman for the district, in a news release.

Walters will be filling a position vacated by Butch Owens, who recently decided to retire.

Owens had been employed by the district since 1988, first serving as a special education teacher. He went on to serve as principal at Avaxat Elementary, Creekside High School and Thompson Middle School before opening Vista Murrieta High School in 2003. Owens was promoted to his current position of director of student support in 2006.

“Butch Owens has been a guiding force for our entire district for the last 25 years and he will be greatly missed! His legacy is the foundation he laid when he opened Vista Murrieta High School,” Superintendent Kelley said. “The success of Vista Murrieta can be traced back to his work a decade ago.”

About Walters, Kelley said: “Mary brings 17 years of administrative leadership experience to her new position. Her vision is squarely in-line with the Board’s focus area which is to expand our comprehensive guidance and support services to meet students’ complex social, emotional and behavioral needs so they can achieve academic success. Mary is the person to champion this effort, take the bull by horns and blaze new paths!”

Walters said it has been an honor to be the inaugural principal of Murrieta Mesa.

“I have been truly blessed to work with such amazing, dedicated people who care about kids. The school staff, the students and parents make Mesa a very special place,” Walters said.

“Although my departure will be bittersweet, I will have the awesome opportunity to create programs and put systems in place for our students district-wide so Murrieta students have the social, emotional and behavioral support they need to be academically successful. My passion is kids and to always do what is best for them, no matter what.”

Murrieta Mesa Assistant Principal Steve Ellis has been appointed to serve as interim principal for the 2013-2014 school year. He brings 18 years of experience as an educator, according to Parris.

Ellis holds his bachelor’s and master’s degrees as well as an administrative credential from Point Loma Nazarene University, according to the news release. He has worked for the district since 2001, when he served as a science teacher at Murrieta Valley High School. He was assistant principal at Thompson Middle School before moving to Murrieta Mesa in 2010.

Ellis began his teaching career at Crescenta Valley High School in the Glendale Unified School District. He also served as ASB advisor and assistant principal at Crescenta Valley High School.

Ellis has proven himself an integral member of the administrative team at Murrieta Mesa.

“Over the course of the last three years at Mesa Steve has demonstrated his heart for kids and proven himself to be a strong, calm, sensible, and caring administrator,” Walters said. “He is highly regarded and respected by staff, students, and parents. He is truly committed to Murrieta Mesa and I am confident he will build on the phenomenal foundation that has been laid.”

Ellis commended Walters on her tenure at the school.

“I along with the entire Mesa community have been inspired watching Mary pursue her passion daily,” Ellis said. "The incredible programs Mesa has are truly her legacy. My aim is to continue moving Mesa forward in the positive direction that Mary has set us on.”

The district will conduct an inclusive process for the selection of the permanent principal for Murrieta Mesa during the second semester, according to Parris.

“Parents, faculty and staff will be asked to provide their input during the permanent principal selection process,” Parris said.

It was also announced Thursday that Stephen Diephouse has been appointed the new dean of students for Murrieta Valley High School. Diephouse is currently a coordinator in the special education department at the District Support Center, according to Parris.

Diephouse holds a bachelor’s degree from Central Connecticut State University and master’s degree and special education credential from Chapman University. He also holds a master’s degree in educational leadership and an administrative credential from Azusa Pacific University.

Diephouse taught in San Diego Unified School District before coming to the district. He started out as a special education teacher at Rail Ranch and Antelope Hills elementary schools before he began serving as a program specialist from 2006 to 2012, according to Parris.

“Stephen’s special education background, outstanding communication skills and ability to connect with students and parents will serve him well in his new position,” Kelley said.

The new administrative assignments are effective July 1, when Vista Murrieta and Murrieta Valley high schools will also be getting new principals: Mick Wager and Eric Mooney, respectively.