Rincon Valley USD

Joining RVUSD in May 2019, Dr. Tracy Smith has been a public educator for 25 years working in 4 nearby school districts from grades K through 8th. Her roles have included bilingual teacher, grant coordinator, principal and assistant superintendent. Tracy received her B.A. degree from the University of California, Berkeley and her teaching credential from Sonoma State University. In 2000, she earned her Masters in Educational Leadership from St. Mary's of California and her Doctorate degree at Brandman University in Organizational Leadership in 2019. Providing leadership in the areas effective teaching and learning and social emotional supports while building connected communities and holding respect for all people is the core of her work and where she finds her passion.

Tracy lives in Novato with her husband, Rob, and her two teenage daughters, Taylor and Brooke. 

Michael Herfurth was born and raised in Santa Rosa, California. After attending Sequoia Elementary, Rincon Valley Junior High, and Santa Rosa High, he stayed local by attending Santa Rosa Junior College and then Sonoma State University to earn his BA degree and teaching credential. Mike began his career teaching in Rincon Valley Union School District. After several years of teaching, he enrolled in the post graduate program at Saint Mary’s College of California, studying Educational Leadership. Mike was then given the opportunity to work in Rincon Valley as a principal, beginning his administrative career at Binkley Elementary, the very first school at which he taught. After six years as the principal at Binkley, Mike moved to Madrone and was the principal there for 4 years. In July 2019, Mike moved to the district office to become the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. In July 2021, Mike changed positions to become the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources.

Mike lives with his wife, Candice, and their three school age children. You will often see Mike in the community as he and his family live in Santa Rosa and are actively involved in many of the sports leagues in the city. Mike grew up playing soccer and baseball in Santa Rosa and he now enjoys being able to watch his kids do the same.

Cathy Myhers joined the Rincon Valley Union School District in 2012 as the Director of Special Education. Cathy has supported the special education programs within the district and is now supporting ALL students as the Director of Student Services. She is responsible for many programs including counseling, social-emotional programs (Kimochis, Restorative Practices and Toolbox), parent education, attendance, discipline and special education services.

Cathy earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Speech and Language Sciences from the University of California Santa Barbara and her Masters of Arts degree in Communication Disorders from San Diego State University. She holds an administrative credential, which she earned in 2007. Prior to coming to Rincon Valley, Cathy served as a bilingual speech pathologist and special education administrator in San Diego County for over 20 years. She has worked with students who have special needs preschool through age 22. Cathy also worked for California State University San Marcos to create their speech and language degree program.

Cathy and her husband Jim have been married for 23 years and have one daughter, Sydney. Sydney is currently attending college. Cathy and her family moved to Sonoma County in 2012 after living in San Diego for over 20 years. Cathy enjoys time with family, gardening, walking on the beach and watching professional sports.