Assistant Principal

Hello American Lakes families,

My name is Ezekiel Valenga, and I am truly honored to serve as the Assistant Principal at American Lakes School. As I enter my fifth year at ALS, I continue to feel grateful to be part of a school community that means so much to me. Over the years, I have had the privilege of building meaningful relationships with students, staff, and families, and I am excited to continue supporting the American Lakes community in this role.

As someone who has both lived and worked in the Sacramento area for many years, I deeply value the diversity, culture, and strong sense of community that make Natomas such a special place. I am currently entering my 13th year in education and have served in roles including Middle School Teacher, Elementary School Teacher, Instructional Coach, and now Assistant Principal, all within the American Lakes community.

I became an educator because I saw firsthand the powerful impact education can have on the lives of students and families. As a proud Latino educator and UC Davis graduate, I strongly believe representation matters and that every student deserves to feel seen, valued, supported, and inspired to succeed. One of the most rewarding parts of my work is building genuine connections with students and helping them recognize their strengths, talents, and potential both academically and personally.

I believe schools should create environments where students feel safe, challenged, supported, and empowered to grow into confident and compassionate individuals. I hope students remember me as someone who leads with heart, empathy, authenticity, and high expectations for all. As Assistant Principal, I am committed to fostering a positive school culture where students feel connected, staff feel supported, and families feel welcomed as valued partners in their child’s educational journey.

What continues to motivate me as a leader is the opportunity to build capacity not only within our students, but also within our staff, families, and greater community. I believe strong relationships and collaboration are the foundation of meaningful growth and lasting success.
Thank you for being part of the American Lakes community. I look forward to continuing to serve our students and families and working together to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.