WCCUSD school community remembers beloved principal who ‘helped make dreams come true’

Christopher Pierce, the former beloved principal at Richmond’s De Anza High School, is being remembered this week as a caring leader who touched many lives and inspired students to pursue their dreams.

Pierce, 45, died on July 4, those close to him told Richmondside. 

The news came as a shock to the community. West Contra Costa Unified School District Superintendent Cheryl Cotton sent an email to high school families on Sun., July 6, saying Pierce had died at home.

Cotton’s email described Pierce as “not only a dedicated educator, but also a caring leader who touched the lives of so many with his warmth, humor, and commitment to student success.” 

Pierce joined WCCUSD as a substitute teacher in 2003. He then became a social science teacher at Kennedy High School and worked with the district’s administration team. In 2016, he was appointed vice principal of De Anza and promoted to principal in 2021. He had just stepped into a new role as the principal of Betty Reid Soskin Middle School in El Sobrante. 

Hadassa De Melo, associated student body class president and a 2025 De Anza graduate, said she was devastated by Pierce’s passing. She said they grew very close over the three years she was a student leader, and for many students he was more like an uncle or father figure.

a Celebration of life in photos

Photos: Mr. Pierce, beloved De Anza principal, remembered for serving from the heart

“He was always the person I could go to his office and have a sit down conversation with, not always just about school, but about my life and my mental health, and he was just funny,” De Melo told Richmondside. “He was always there when I needed him…When it came to speaking with district people and needing money to do things for the school, he was always there.”

De Melo is working with Pierce’s family and another student to organize a celebration of life for Pierce on Fri., July 11, at 7 p.m. at De Anza High School, 5000 Valley View Road. She said 550 people are expected to attend — a testament to how loved he was. 

De Melo is also collecting pictures from family, friends, students and staff to create a memory board. Of the more than 65 pictures collected so far, there is a common thread — he was always with students and always looked happy. 

“Let me tell you this, he loved a camera,” De Melo said. “Like this man, he wasn’t good at it, but he loved to sing, OK, and we got some videos. He was not good. He knew, he knew, but he loved some karaoke, man.” 

She added that Pierce also loved to celebrate birthdays, especially his own, which was Oct. 26, and his office would always be decorated by staff and students. But more than anything in the world, Pierce loved being a father to his 10-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter.

Pierce was leaving De Anza to spend more time with his family

Pierce had wanted to work at Betty Reid Soskin Middle School so he could spend more time with his children. 

In his final email as De Anza’s principal, sent on June 26, Pierce wrote that he considered De Anza to be his “second home” but was leaving it for his family. 

“Over the past year, I’ve come to realize that in order to truly be present for them (his children) — to attend more family events, games, read more bedtime stories, and simply be there — I needed to make a life and career change,” Pierce wrote. “The new role will allow me the flexibility and time to show up more fully as a father, which, like many of you, is a role I cherish above all else.” 

Demetrio Gonzalez, WCCUSD board member, said Pierce also was looking forward to working at the middle school so he could help prepare and support students on their way to De Anza.

“Christopher Pierce was a pillar of De Anza High School, always placing students at the heart of his work and advocacy. He was deeply loved by students, staff, and families alike,” Gonzalez told Richmondside via email. “His commitment to this community was evident in his recent request — and appointment — to serve as principal of Betty Reid Soskin Middle School, where he hoped to continue supporting our families and strengthening the pathway to De Anza High.”

Gregory Everetts Jr., the softball coach at De Anza, said many parents, students and staff were sad that Pierce was leaving the high school but said his death is an even bigger loss to the district at large.

“He was very fair, very about every student, and very much caring about every student. I would say that he pretty much knew every student from every class … and every parent,” Everetts told Richmondside. “And all in all, every student loved or respected him.” 

Everetts said he knew Pierce for eight years as a friend, colleague and educator of his two children, De Anza graduates. He described him as genuine, funny and passionate. He also credited him for inspiring many students to attend college.

“He had connections to colleges, scholarships … anything that was out there, he made sure that a student was on top of it,” Everetts said. “He was real good about just staying on top of the kids to make sure they find out their dreams and make sure that they stuck to their goals so they could accomplish their goals and make their dreams come true.” 

Several other colleagues shared similarly warm sentiments about Pierce, noting that they would personally miss him. 

“Mr. Pierce was a true asset to this district. My interactions with him as a parent were always positive and professional. I have family members who attended De Anza during his leadership, and they had wonderful experiences as students,” board member Guadalupe Enllana told Richmondside via email. 

Board member Jamela Smith-Folds said in an email to Richmondside that Pierce was a unifier at the district and an amazing father. 

“He was a product of the district, came back and served the district and has one of his children in the district. There is no higher form of love for this system,” Smith-Folds wrote. “He truly lit up a room when he entered. From his smiles to his jokes, Chris made everyone feel better. He took the time to learn his students. He could not please all of them but he listened to all of them.” 

That love people had for Pierce is evident. After the announcement of his passing, hundreds of parents, colleagues and former students shared their condolences and memories of Pierce online. 

Pierce’s spent his last day at work with special ed students at Betty Reid Soskin Middle School

Esther Navarro, a paraeducator at De Anza, shared a picture online of Pierce participating in a tug-of-war competition with his students during his last rally at the high school. She also shared a video of him hugging a student before the 2025 graduation ceremony. 

Navarro was also with Pierce the day before he died. He was supervising summer special education classes at Betty Reid Soskin on Thur., July 3. She said he was happily bouncing around different classrooms during the students’ Fourth of July celebration. 

“That day he came many times to our classroom because we had food,” Navarro said, giggling, noting that Pierce loved to eat. “He was overjoyed because we had the parade with all the special education students … and he was very thankful to the teachers for organizing it.” 

She said he was also in classrooms helping aides fill out their time cards on Thursday. She took a picture of him doing so because she thought it captured the kind of educator he was. 

“He would help even if it was not his job,” Navarro said. “He was a very joyful person. He called everyone by their name. He was a very personal leader that kept in touch with everybody and always had a solution for everything you needed.” 

She said she was grateful to spend his last day alive with him and feels lucky she was able to get a picture of him with all the special education students. 

Pierce’s last email to the De Anza community left them with a beautiful goodbye. 

“To my students, you have inspired me every day with your resilience, brilliance, and dreams. To staff, your passion and dedication are the soul of this school. It has been an honor to lead with you. To the parents and families — thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your unwavering support,” he wrote. “Please know this: though I may no longer walk the halls of De Anza each day, my heart remains here with you. I will always be cheering on our students and staff from afar, and I am proud of all we have accomplished together. I carry with me the laughter, lessons, and love that made all these years so meaningful.”