Meet Our Principal

Mrs. Tarsha Taylor-Godfrey

Originally from Arkansas, Tarsha lived in Lathrop for 15 years, and she is thrilled to be serving the community that helped her raise her family! She studied engineering at the University of Arkansas before graduating from California State University, Hayward with a degree in English, Language and Discourse in 1997. She then completed a Multiple Subject Credential, Single Subject/English Credential and earned a Master’s in Teaching English as a Second Language from Patten University. At the Teacher’s College of San Joaquin, she completed her Administrative Services Credential.

Tarsha brings with her many years of experience. She taught K-8 for 16 years and high school English for seven years before becoming an administrator and has taught in public, private, charter, rural and urban school systems. She served as the Vice Principal at East Union High School before becoming the “proud principal” of Joseph Widmer Elementary School. Her goals for this year at Joseph Widmer at to focus on Early Literacy, have productive Professional Learning Communities, and provide English Language Learners with the tools they need to be successful in high school.

Tarsha has been married to her husband for 29 years and they have four children. She loves serving people whether that is at home, at work, at church, or at nonprofits. While she enjoys road trips, Tarsha is a homebody who loves gardening, DIY projects, and canning with her family.

"I believe that all students have a genius, that we as educators are tasked with discovering."