Royal High Alums Return to Lead, Inspire New Generation in Simi Valley Students
Sylvie Belmond 
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Two longtime Simi Valley educators are stepping into new leadership roles as Royal High School and the Simi Valley Unified School District prepare for the new academic year.
During the July 28 school board meeting, the district introduced Reina Zapata as the new principal of Royal High School. Superintendent Hani Youssef praised Zapata’s depth of knowledge about the school’s current challenges and her ability to articulate a clear vision for its future. “You shined,” Youssef said during her interview, and noted that Zapata was the only candidate to progress to the final round of the selection process.
Zapata most recently served as assistant principal at Royal. She began her career with SVUSD in 2007 at Hillside Middle School, taught English at Royal and Santa Susana high schools, and returned to Royal in 2022 to oversee curriculum instruction, assessments and accreditation efforts.
A Royal High graduate, Zapata addressed the board following her appointment. “This is more than just a career move,” she said. “It’s a meaningful continuation of my journey in education and service to the community I care about.” She thanked former principal Michael Hall for his leadership and added, “I’m ready to get to work.”
Royal High School offers Career Technical Education pathways in agriculture, digital media, engineering and law enforcement. The school also supports civic engagement through student government, service clubs and partnerships with local organizations. With a wide range of academic, arts and athletic programs, Royal is one of four high schools operated by SVUSD, which also includes Simi Valley High School, Santa Susana High School and Apollo High School, an alternative education campus.
According to the California Department of Education, high school principals are responsible for leading academic programs, evaluating faculty and staff, managing school operations, maintaining safety and compliance with regulations and partnering with families and the broader community to support student success.
Zapata holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from California State University, Northridge, and earned both her master’s degree and administrative credential from the same institution. Her son graduated from Santa Susana High School, and her parents and two brothers are also graduates of Simi Valley schools.
As Zapata takes the helm at Royal, the district is also preparing to welcome students back to class on Thursday, August 14, the official start of the 2025–26 school year.
The board also announced a second promotion during the meeting. Patricia Myszkowski, who has served as assistant principal at Royal High School since 2015, was named the district’s new coordinator of professional learning and civic engagement. The appointment was confirmed in a district social media post later that evening.
Myszkowski began her career with SVUSD in 2005, teaching English at Royal. She was promoted to assistant principal at Hillside Middle School in 2010 before returning to Royal five years later.
“I plan to create opportunities for all students—regardless of background, ability or need—to access high-quality instruction and meaningful opportunities that will prepare them for life after high school,” Myszkowski said in the district’s post. “I look forward to creating impactful professional learning, expanding college and career pathways and elevating civic engagement opportunities for students K–12.”
The coordinator of professional learning and civic engagement is a district-level position responsible for designing and implementing educator training, curriculum initiatives and equity-focused instruction. The role also supports the development of civic learning across all grade levels, including service-based learning, student leadership and community partnerships aligned with state civics education goals.
A graduate of Royal High School, Myszkowski attended Moorpark College before transferring to California State University, Hayward (now East Bay), where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English. She received her teaching credential from California State University, Northridge, and completed her master’s in educational administration there as well. She also holds an administrative credential from California Lutheran University and is currently pursuing a doctorate in organizational leadership.
In her free time, she sings in a choir, visits Disneyland and stays active at the gym.
Also at the July 28 meeting, the board appointed Dr. Stephen Pietrolungo as provisional trustee to fill the Area D vacancy through December 2026. His selection and the public response are featured in a separate story.
In announcing the promotions, SVUSD highlighted both leaders’ long-standing ties to the community and their experience within local schools, stating that their appointments align with the district’s goals to support academic growth and expand civic learning opportunities for students.
