Kelseyville Unified School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephanie Wayment as its new principal of Kelseyville High School for the 2026-27 school year. Wayment brings almost 30 years of classroom and administrative experience in education from all over Lake County.
A full-circle story
In the late 1990s, Wayment began her career at Kelseyville Elementary School, working toward her bachelor’s degree in education while serving as a bilingual aide in a kindergarten classroom. She then transitioned to classroom teacher, launching a career devoted to Lake County students and families.
Her career has spanned a year and a half at Konocti Unified School District; eight years at Lakeport Unified School District, where she focused on reading fluency, instructional coaching and English Language Learner coordination for kindergarten through 12th grade; and eight years at the Lake County Office of Education. At the county office, she rose to senior director of educational resources and accountability, overseeing English Language Arts, English Language Development, the Local Control Accountability Plan and principal coaching, while contributing to state-level accountability policy development. Most recently, she served ten years at Upper Lake Unified School District.
Leadership that puts students first
Wayment describes her leadership philosophy as an inverted pyramid: administrators support teachers and staff, who in turn support students. “When a child is not succeeding, the adults change what they’re doing,” she said.
Rather than leading from behind a closed door, Wayment is committed to being visible and accessible throughout the school day — present on campus, available to staff and connected to students and families. She views every member of the school community, from teachers to support staff, as part of a team working toward one shared goal: student success.
Drawn by the team, committed to the community
Wayment said she was drawn to Kelseyville High School by its people. The staff’s dedication to students left a strong impression, reflecting her own conviction that Lake County students deserve every opportunity to succeed and thrive.
She looks forward to building on the foundation established by her predecessor, Mike Jones, and other veteran principals while bringing fresh perspective and broad regional experience to support the school’s existing programs.
Bridging language and cultural barriers
Having begun her career as a bilingual aide, Wayment has maintained a strong connection to the Spanish-speaking community throughout her career. While approaching her language skills with humility, she is committed to breaking down cultural and language barriers and ensuring that all students and all families, regardless of background, feel equally welcomed, valued, and supported.
“I am humbled and honored to join the Kelseyville High School team. The staff has been doing incredible work for their students and community, and I look forward to learning alongside them, supporting their efforts, and making sure every single student and family knows they belong,” she said.
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