After more than 30 years as a teacher and administrator with the Benicia Unified School District, JoAnn Severson is ready to call it a career.

In Severson’s 33 years of working in education, 31 have been at BUSD, including 26 at Benicia High School and five years at Liberty High School, where she has served as principal. However, she is ready to start a new phase of her life, spending time with family and seeing the world.

“It’s time,” she said of her retirement.

Severson received her bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, teaching credential from San Jose State University and administrative credential from St. Mary’s College in Moraga. She began her teaching career in Fremont, but she got a job at Benicia High in 1986, where she taught fashion design and biology for 13 years. In 1999, she was promoted to vice principal. In 2003, Severson got to fill in as principal when Bob Palous was temporarily called to take over for Mike Bowers as the district’s head of personnel, according to a 2003 article in the Herald. When Palous left the principal position in 2004, Severson got to fulfill the role again, this time for three years. When Patrick Holland took over in 2007, Severson went back to being vice principal, a position she held for the next five years.

Severson is most proud of leading the school through difficult financial circumstances.

“During the times when we had some extreme cuts with a small administrative staff and work staff, we were able to continue providing an educational experience for the students and continued to meet their needs,” she said.

This included being able to guide staff through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges’ (WASC) accreditation visits in 2007.

“They received a full six-year term, which was a big accomplishment during that time because it was tough financially,” she said.

She is also proud of the relationships she built at Benicia High as well as seeing programs grow over time.

“It was a big transformation from when I started,” she said.

In 2012, Severson took over for Jane Abelee as the new principal of Liberty. One of her first big undertakings was to revamp the document for the school’s first-ever WASC accreditation application. After working with the team and faculty members, the document was submitted and Liberty was accredited through 2019. It had its midterm review in 2016.

“We passed with flying colors,” she said.

In addition to accreditation, Severson is also most proud of Liberty being named as a Model Continuation High School by State Superintendent Tom Torlkason for the first time this year. Severson got to attend the California Continuation Education Association Conference in Fresno with other staff at the end of April, and they received a plaque.

“That’s a huge accomplishment for this school,” she said. “I’m really proud of the work that’s done here with these students. I’m proud of this team and how well they work together. They’re a hard-working group of teachers dedicated to the students.”

Liberty students are also a point of pride for Severson, especially seeing the excitement they have upon graduating.

“They often refer to their experience here as being part of a family because we truly do know their names and get to know them so well working with them to get them to graduation,” she said. “That’s really a proud moment at graduation each year.”

In her retirement, Severson plans to travel, do volunteer work, take care of her mother and spend time with family.

“My daughter moved to Los Angeles, and my two children are my world,” she said. “I can’t wait to spend some more time with them.”

Starting next year, Zachary Pless— a vice principal at Martinez Junior High School— will be taking over as principal of Liberty. Severson said she has only met with him once but is open to continue meetings with him to get him acquainted with the school.

In the future, Severson hopes the school will continue to thrive.

“I hope that Liberty High School is just able to continue the wonderful work they do with kids and changing and moving in any direction these kids need,” she said. “I hope for nothing but the best for the school to be able to continue the good work.”