The Brea Olinda Unified School District Board of Education has approved the appointment of Torey Coggins and McKenna Gorham as Assistant Principals at Brea Junior High School, effective July 1, 2026.
The appointments reflect the District's continued commitment to supporting student success, school operations, and the long-term modernization efforts planned for Brea Junior High School through Measure H.
"McKenna and Torey are both dedicated educators who bring valuable leadership experience, a student-centered mindset, and a strong commitment to academic excellence and school culture," said Superintendent Brinda Leon. "We are excited to welcome them to the Brea Junior High leadership team and look forward to the positive impact they will have on our students, staff, and families."
About Torey Coggins
Torey Coggins brings more than a decade of educational experience, including leadership roles as an instructional coach in BOUSD and a teacher and English Language Arts coach in the Paramount Unified School District. Throughout her career, she has led professional learning initiatives, supported instructional improvement, coordinated GATE and AVID programs, analyzed student achievement data, and worked collaboratively with educators and families to enhance student success. Her experience in instructional leadership and program development has helped strengthen educational opportunities for students across multiple school communities.
Coggins holds a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from Cal State Long Beach, a Master of Arts in Education and Administrative Services Credential from Concordia University.
About McKenna Gorham
McKenna Gorham has spent the last eight years as a teacher at Laurel Elementary Magnet School. With her strong leadership and collaboration skills, she has led grade-level teams, mentored student teachers, and served as the Student Success Team coordinator and administrative designee. In 2023, Gorham was recognized as Laurel’s Teacher of the Year and has played a pivotal role in developing and implementing targeted writing interventions that have increased student engagement and achievement.
Gorham holds a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from Cal State Long Beach and a master’s degree in Leadership Development from Chapman University. She also holds an Educational Administration Credential from Concordia University.
Supporting a High-Performing and Growing School Community
The decision to expand Brea Junior High School's administrative team reflects the evolving needs of the District's second-largest campus. While the school has traditionally operated with a single assistant principal, District leaders recognized an opportunity to provide additional support to students, staff, and families as the campus continues to grow and evolve. Brea Junior High serves a large and dynamic student population, and the addition of a second assistant principal will strengthen the school's capacity to support student achievement, campus culture, student services, family engagement, and day-to-day operations.
The expanded leadership structure also comes at a pivotal time for the school as the District prepares for a significant modernization effort that will enhance learning environments and improve campus facilities over the coming years through the voter-approved Measure H bond program.
“Having an additional administrator in place will help ensure the school can effectively oversee modernization-related activities while maintaining a strong focus on student learning and school operations,” said Leon.
The investment also builds upon the school's recent recognition as a California Distinguished School, highlighting Brea Junior High's commitment to academic excellence and student success. The expansion of the leadership team at Brea Junior High is a proactive step that will help sustain that success while supporting the school's future growth and transformation.