New chapter in leadership: Langone appointed as VP
Manteca High vice principal Jonathan Langone.
By MAKAYLA SPENCER
The Tower
This past year our school has transitioned into a new change of leadership. This has left many students wondering who exactly Jonathon Langone is, the man that has taken upon the role Frank Fontana left.
With this year being his first, he’s a mystery to many. His quiet entrance into our school has left people questioning what his journey was leading up to working here.
Getting to know him would be beneficial to students, teachers, and custodians; giving them a understanding of why our school establishes certain rules.
Langone is someone who puts a lot of time and effort into improving Manteca High. He makes sure our school environment is positive and uplifting, making it a safe space for students.
Langone is also someone who tries to be around our school environment as much as possible, attending the majority of our sporting and academic events. From being a former science teacher, he also wants to get a better understanding of the students at MHS.
Manteca’s future is bright with the new arrival of Langone. Being able to speak with him one-on -one has ensured me that he can do much more than filling Mr. Fontana's shoes.
Apart from talking with him alone, Principal Megan Peterson has also seen bright things from him, expressing how well he’s adjusted to the new environment.
The work Mr. Langone puts in certifies that both students and teachers can come to a well-organized school; taking care of any worries students or staff might have.
Whether you notice or not, with all that he does his presence is major to the environment around our campus. He strengthens our community, helping the campus become better day by day.
As the year continues, staff and students will continue to excel under the guidance of Mr. Langone. His leadership will undoubtedly continue to shape the future of Manteca High, fostering an atmosphere where everyone can thrive.
With such a significant role in shaping the future of Manteca High, it's clear that understanding Mr. Langone's journey and vision is crucial. To gain deeper insight into his leadership style and approach, I had the opportunity to sit down with him one-on-one. Our conversation offered a firsthand look at his dedication to the school, his passion for fostering a positive environment, and his vision for the future. Here’s what he had to say about his transition, the values he holds, and what he sees ahead for Manteca High.
The Tower: Where did you grow up and what’s your educational background?
Jonathan Langone: I grew up in Lodi, so that was where my primary education was before college. Actually, before that, after high school, I did an exchange year as a foreign exchange student. I lived with a host family in Germany for a year because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do after high school. My mom suggested it, and I went through the process and was accepted as an exchange student. It was a scholarship-type program. I encourage anyone who’s unsure what they want to do after high school to consider an exchange year. That experience was great. I basically redid my senior year of high school, which was nice because I had already graduated, so it was kind of just a victory lap. Living in another country, in a new household, with a different language and an entirely different culture, was an important part of my educational background. It was quite a learning experience.
After that, I went to Chico State. It was everything you could ask for in a college experience. I met a lot of close friends, and I had nothing bad to say about my time there. Academically and socially, it was great. I was there for 4.5 years and majored in physics and German, a double major. I loved science, and in high school, my mom was a science teacher, so I naturally followed that path.
Originally, I was studying Economics and thought finance might be my route. But I was inspired by a physics professor, which sparked my curiosity about the nature of the world. In hindsight, there’s probably more money in finance and economics, but that’s okay. I studied physics in undergrad but didn’t pursue it afterwards. Science as a field often requires a post-grad degree to advance, and it was a challenging major. After 4.5 years, I realized I didn’t have the heart to continue in that field, but I finished my degree.
During that time, I went back to Germany for a year and studied at Heidelberg University, focusing on physics. That’s when I realized there were many people smarter than me in that field, so I better find another path. I graduated, came back home, and moved back in with my parents, as any recent graduate might. Honestly, I didn’t know what to do next.
Looking back, I think it’s helpful for students to have a clear idea of what they want to do before starting college. I was mostly following what my parents suggested: go to school, go to college, get a job—it was all planned.
TT: What’s your family life like?
JL: Yeah, my family is all in Central California, which is great. I would say we’re pretty tight-knit. There are five of us: my mom and dad, who are still together and living in the same town. They’ve been together for over 30 years. My dad was in the medical field, and my mom was a teacher.
I have two siblings: an older brother and a younger sister, and I’m the middle child. My brother works in the wine industry, and my sister is a lawyer. We’re all still close, maybe not as much as when we were younger, but we stay in touch and come together for family reunions, holidays, and Christmas.
Of course, we have our differences and still butt heads sometimes—that never really ends. But I’m very grateful for my family because we’re all still connected.
TT: Why Manteca high?
JL: I ultimately decided to get into education, kind of following in my mom’s footsteps. At first, I didn’t plan to go into education. I started out as a substitute teacher just as a job, but I realized that I truly enjoyed it. I enjoyed working with the students most of all. It took a little while at first, learning classroom management strategies, but it was the perfect mix: working with high school students, who are at a formative age. They’re funny, mature enough to build good rapport, and able to joke back and forth. I was a physics teacher, so I could continue my interest in physics while passing that passion along to the younger generation. It was a really good combination—working with students I enjoyed and teaching a subject I was passionate about.
Teaching, in general, felt like a great career. I had my own classroom—my domain—without a boss constantly overseeing me, which gave me a degree of freedom in how I ran each day. That’s ultimately what drew me into education. Later, moving into administration allowed me to have a broader impact. I could make school-wide changes and decisions, rather than just classroom-level ones. This role lets me continue working with students while also working with teachers, parents, and the wider community. As for how I landed in Manteca, during my job search, I came here and, within the first week, I knew this place had a strong culture. The teachers had deep roots and a real sense of Manteca Pride, which was contagious. Their passion for the school was clear, and I loved it here immediately. It’s a great place to work.”
TT: What are some things you hope to improve?
JL: I think every educator’s number one focus is the students—improving their ambition, self-esteem, and connections with peers and family, and helping them become productive members of society while reaching their full potential.
TT: What do you hope to achieve/ learn during your time here?
JL: During my time here, I hope to learn new strategies, tools, and interventions that I can implement to help students reach their full potential. That might involve working with teachers, other administrators, or outside resources to develop strategies based on the latest research and evidence about what actually works for students. For myself, I want to continue building my leadership qualities, since this is a new position for me. Being in a leadership role comes with its own set of challenges, and I’m learning the craft of leadership every day.
TT: What’s your most memorable moment in your career?
JL: Throughout my entire educational experience, the most memorable part has been my time in the classroom. I can’t narrow it down to one specific moment—rather, it was a span of time. I spent seven years in the classroom, which was the longest position I’ve held. If I had to pick a memory, it would be walking into my first classroom and seeing that space that became my world. The feeling of being in the classroom and working with students is probably my biggest memory. Now, I’m excited to create new kinds of memories in this role.