Meet Your Principals
Principal, Richard Waters
Richard Waters is a graduate of El Rodeo and Beverly Hills High School. Growing up in the area, he worked for Beverly Hills Recreation and Parks for over 10 years and the Beverly Hills YMCA for 15 years. While completing his teaching credential and master's in educational leadership, Richard worked as a teacher’s assistant at Beverly Vista and he began coaching volleyball, basketball, and track at Beverly Hills High School.
After teaching for LAUSD for five years, Richard was recruited by his longtime friend and ex-teacher, Principal Steve Fisher, to teach mathematics at El Rodeo School. While at El Rodeo, Richard was recognized by the PTA with their highest honor, the Golden Oak Service Award. As a teacher, Richard was also recognized by BHUSD with an Apple Award in 2008.
Richard moved on to become an administrator in 2011 and his first assignment was at Beverly Vista School. After serving at Beverly Vista for 3 years, Richard transferred to Hawthorne where he worked as an Assistant Principal for 4 years and as an Interim Principal for one year. In 2020, Richard was again recognized by BHUSD with an administrative Apple Award.
This is the third time that Richard has been assigned to work at Beverly Vista Middle School and he takes tremendous pride in being part of the team that helped create BHUSD’s first comprehensive middle school.
Assistant Principal (6th Grade), Joe Little
Mr. Little was born and raised in Orange County, California, where he grew up with his sister Kristen and his supportive parents Ken and Cindy. Mr. Little received his Master of Arts in Education and Administration Credential from Loyola Marymount University and his Bachelor of Arts in History and Teaching Credential from California State University Long Beach. Mr. Little considers himself a lifelong learner and wants to foster that type of mindset with the students he serves. He has been working solely in the middle school setting for over 12 years and has a strong passion for working with middle school students and families.
Mr. Little spends most of his time outside education playing with his son Logan, his dog Lucy and enjoying family time with his wife Casie. You can also find him rooting his favorite local sports teams and enjoying all the beauty Southern California has to offer.
Assistant Principal (7th Grade), Ashley Tomovich
Ashley Tomovich joins Beverly Vista Middle School as Assistant Principal, bringing a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to educational excellence. A Los Angeles native, Ashley grew up in Culver City and later moved to the South Bay, where she graduated from Mira Costa High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Education from California State University, Long Beach, and obtained her single-subject teaching credential in English there as well.
With seven years of experience as a middle school English teacher, Ashley transitioned to school leadership in 2022. She holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Loyola Marymount University, which she completed in May 2024. Her professional journey reflects a deep dedication to fostering academic growth and enhancing student well-being.
At Beverly Vista Middle School, Ashley is excited to collaborate with educators, students, and families to create a supportive and dynamic learning environment. Her focus is on leveraging her experience and knowledge to advance the school’s mission and contribute to a positive and engaging school culture.
Outside of her professional life, Ashley enjoys outdoor activities such as beach outings, bike rides, and stand-up paddleboarding. In the winter, she and her family love to explore ski destinations like Deer Valley, Mammoth, and Telluride.
Assistant Principal (8th Grade), Sarah Perkins
Sarah Perkins, Ed.S. has always wanted to be an educator. She began her journey teaching taekwondo at the age of 13, where she found her passion for teaching. She is from the Midwest with over 17 years of experience with various grade levels including elementary and middle school students. Sarah is passionate about diversity and inclusion in education and assisted in implementing diverse initiatives in previous positions. Sarah has held teaching, team leadership, and school leader roles and is excited to join Beverly Hills Unified.
Sarah attended Drake University for a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and two master’s degrees in Teacher Effectiveness and Professional Development, and Specialist in Education in School Leadership. She recently completed a third master’s in Curriculum and Instruction. She loves learning and reading. In her free time, Sarah enjoys exploring Los Angeles with her family.
