Golden Bell Awards 2023

Introduction

The California School Boards Association Golden Bell Awards, now in its 44th year, promotes excellence in education and school board governance by recognizing outstanding programs and governance practices of school boards of education in school districts and county offices of education throughout California. Golden Bell Awards reflect the depth and breadth of education programs and governance decisions supporting these programs that address students’ changing needs. This awards program highlights best practices in education in all areas of operations, instruction and support services by:

Seeking out and recognizing key governance practices that support, sustain and inspire the creation and continuance of exemplary education programs
Seeking out and recognizing sustainable, innovative or exemplary programs, which have been developed and successfully implemented by California teachers and administrators
Recognizing and supporting educators who invest extra energy and time to make a demonstrated difference for students
Promoting models with positive student outcomes
Focusing on the commitment to ensure that the needs of all students are met

Identifying exemplary programs serves as a way to share information about effective educational strategies. The Golden Bell Awards program also serves to boost confidence in public education by focusing attention on success in California’s schools. Finally, it enables CSBA, on behalf of school district and county governing boards throughout the state, to express appreciation to dedicated educators who strive to provide a high-quality education that challenges all students to succeed.

This year, 230 entries in 21 categories were received. Experts from school districts and county offices of education comprised the 54-member judging panel, and a total of 52 Delegates and board members across the state conducted in person or virtual validations.

Sponsored by

Platinum

students wearing masks and goggles perform mock dental work on a realistic dental mannequin head

High School

Shine Bright Dental

Marysville Joint Unified School District, Marysville High School

Shine Bright Dental is something to smile about! The Dental Assisting pathway at Marysville High School is a “crowning” example of a model career technical education program. The pathway blends quality instruction with unique community partnerships to create an unparalleled learning experience. The Shine Bright Dental Clinic provides hands-on learning for dental students and a low/no cost dental option for secondary students through a partnership with Tri County Regional Occupational Program (ROP), Happy Toothmobile and Peach Tree Dental.

Congratulations

Fal Asrani
Superintendent

Randy Davis
Board President

Jay Trujillo
Assistant Superintendent, Education Services

Jami Larson
Director, College and Career

David Vujovich
Principal

Daniela Pomeroy
Teacher

Tri County ROP

MJUSD Happy Toothmobile

Peach Tree Dental

High School

Solar Car

Antelope Valley Union High School District, Palmdale High School

In 2014, during an inspiring conversation on a field trip to a renewable energy facility, Palmdale High School students embarked on a journey that would shape their futures. The seeds of ambition were sown as they envisioned building and racing a solar car. This audacious project did not just materialize overnight: it thrived through unwavering support from industry leaders, community partnerships and the Antelope Valley Union HSD. Together they propelled the program far beyond initial expectations in meeting students’ academic and professional aspirations.

Congratulations

Greg Nehen
Superintendent

Charles Hughes
Board President

Carla Corona
Board Vice President

Miguel Sanchez
Board Treasurer

Donita Winn
Board Member

Jill McGrady
Board Member

Eric Stanford
Principal

Matt Henzie
Teacher/Coordinator Solar Car Team

Jon Fields
Math and Engineering Teacher

Betsy McKinstry
CTE Director

High School

The Academies of Coachella Valley High School

Coachella Valley Unified School District, Coachella Valley High School

The Academies of Coachella Valley High School have been providing at-promise students high-quality college and career education since 1995. Health, Hospitality, Digital Design & Production and Public Safety programs follow California Partnership Academy guidelines and serve as the model for all 20 career technical education programs in the district. Academies consistently have higher: A-G rates, graduation rates, college admissions, dual enrollment credits and are the longest-running programs in our region. The programs are so popular, student recruitment and acceptance is fiercely competitive.

Congratulations

Luis Valentino
Superintendent

Adonis Galarza-Toledo
Board President

Joey Acuna
Board Member

Marie Perotti
Director, College and Career Readiness

Socorro Sanchez
Principal

Karen Waligun-Perez
CTE Assistant Principal

Simon Moore
Lead Health Academy Teacher

Agustin Toledo
Lead Hospitality Teacher

Monica Perez
Lead Digital Design and Production Teacher

Edna Mendoza
Lead Public Safety Academy Teacher

High School

Covina High School Agriculture Program “The Farm”

Covina-Valley Unified School District

The Covina Agriculture Program is dedicated to delivering a premier education in animal and plant science. Students are not only prepared for successful careers in these domains but also foster a deeper understanding of consumer needs. Program effectiveness is assessed by student accomplishments, highlighting the pervasive role of agriculture in people’s daily lives — from the food they eat, the clothes they wear, to the medicines they take and the pets they cherish. Covina High’s hands-on farm experience underscores the indispensable nature of agriculture in society, reinforcing the imperative for continued learning in this vital sector.

Congratulations

Elizabeth Eminhizer
Superintendent

Maria M. Caceres
Board President

Maria E. Cruz
Board Vice President

Simon Wright
Board Clerk

Sue L. Maulucci
Board Member

Rachael Robles
Board Member

Jonathan Blackmore
Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services

Julie A. Harrison
Director, Curriculum

Daisy Carrasco
Principal

Angie Bacon
Agriculture Teacher

Civic Education

Includes comprehensive strategies to engage students in the democratic process; collaborations with civic organizations to advance civic education and/or programs; and opportunities for hands-on civic engagement experiences, including school governance and participatory action research.

members of Project Lead take an outdoor group photo beside a black brick wall with a urban style painting of school supplies

Districtwide

Project Life Experience about Democracy (LEAD)

Hacienda La Puente Unified School District, Del Valle Elementary School, Nelson ES, Sunset ES, Workman ES, Orange Grove Middle School, Sierra Vista MS, Sparks MS, La Puente High School

Project LEAD fosters informed citizens who are hopeful about democracy and develop knowledge, skills and civic dispositions by identifying relevant community issues, proposing solutions, developing resolutions and participating in real-world civic action. Students’ experiences span beyond learning content knowledge such as history, social studies, government, politics and literacy into transferrable essential life skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, effective communication, citizenship and character development.

Congratulations

Alfonso Jimenez
Superintendent

Christine Salazar
Board President

Rosa Isiah
Assistant Superintendent, Education Services

David Nieto
Principal

Collin Miller
Principal

Ann Hanson
Principal

Rosette Holmes
Principal

Erika Valenzuela
Principal

Marci Chavez
Principal

Lisa Lopez
Principal

Climate Change Innovation

Includes programs that address climate justice initiatives and partnerships that promote awareness of the effects of global climate change and engage students in creative solutions. Includes areas of school facilities and operations, resource conservation and energy efficiency, as well as student-centered curricula that promotes an understanding and action on climate change and climate justice.

two elementary aged children water and tend to plants in an outdoor garden

Districtwide

A Commitment to Environmental Sustainability

Moreno Valley Unified School District

Moreno Valley USD is leading the way in connecting environmental education efforts, health and wellness, and progressive developments with solar, water conservation and air quality. They have reduced costs by $2.9 million in two years and projected savings of $19 million over a decade. Environmental education engages staff, students and the community in promoting behavioral changes. Progress examples include school assemblies, solar panels at schools and transitioning the entire school bus fleet to clean energy.

Congratulations

Dr. Robert J. Verdi
Interim Superintendent

Susan Smith
Board President

Brandy Clark
Board Vice President

Ruth Self-Williams
Board Clerk

Jesus M. Holguin
Board Member

Cleveland Johnson
Board Member

Esperanza Arce
Chief Academic Officer

Susana Lopez
Chief Business Official

Anthony Pipkins
Executive Director, Maintenance and Operations

Jim Burleson
Executive Director, Transportation

Sponsored by

a small group of elementary aged children harvest leafy green crops in a small garden

Countywide

Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Initiative

San Mateo County Office of Education

Through its Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Initiative, San Mateo COE provides programs, resources and curriculum to empower students with the knowledge and skills to understand and act on climate change and other environmental challenges in their communities. Using a systems approach, SMCOE works together with many partners to provide programs and support for students, teachers, district and school administrators and facilities managers.

Congratulations

Nancy Magee
Superintendent

Beverly Gerard
Board President

Patricia Love
Executive Director, Strategy and Communications

Julie Hilborn
Coordinator, Environmental Literacy and Sustainability

Annalise Eder
Analyst, Green Facilities and Operations

Closing the Opportunity Gap

Includes the display of successful models, techniques and supporting data focused on programs that increase access to a rich and rigorous curriculum for student groups prioritized in the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), with the goal of improving student outcomes and reducing achievement gaps. Such efforts may include data-driven intervention strategies, meaningful disaggregation of student performance data and culturally relevant pedagogy focused on closing opportunity gaps.

Close-up landscape photograph perspective of the Compton Unified Esports League (CUEL) participants in their gaming shirts and gaming headsets

Districtwide

Compton Unified Esports League (CUEL) Initiative “From Games to Career”

Compton Unified School District

Compton Unified Esports League (CUEL) is a districtwide program that envisions a future where scholars have opportunities to engage in STEAM education. Addressing the lack of diversity in STEAM careers, Compton USD harnessed the engagement of esports to boost inclusion, and to ensure that students are college and career ready for STEAM fields. CUEL’s approach provides mentors through university partners and exposes students to career opportunities within the $300 billion gaming industry.

Congratulations

Darin Brawley
Superintendent

Denzel Jordan-Perry
Board President

Alvaro Brito
STEAM Administrator

Jose Ramirez
21 Century Learning Specialist

Michele Dawson
Senior Director, Innovation and Tech

Tony Burrus
Chief Technology Officer

Clifford Grey
Computer System Specialist

Alex Muldrow
ITD Operations Manager

Mario Marcos
Chief Academic Officer

Jennifer Moon
Senior Director, Elementary Education

Elementary School

Inclusive Leadership:

Creating Curriculum that Builds Belonging and Promotes Achievement for All

Burlingame Elementary School District, Roosevelt Elementary School

The Translation, Access and Performance (TAP) program at Roosevelt Elementary addresses inclusion and achievement gaps. Through a translation team podcasting newsletter and a mural symbolizing diversity and educational outings, the program fosters community, cultural pride and academic success. Aligned with the district’s mission, the TAP program’s sustainability and replicability have garnered support and recognition, making it a model for inclusive and innovative education.

Congratulations

Marla Silversmith
Superintendent

Lisa Mudd
Board President

Sponsored by

Gold

Close-up landscape photograph perspective of two students trying to learn, solve, and understand mathematics on a classroom white board

Districtwide

Super Tutor Program

Glendale Unified School District, Fremont Elementary School, Keppel ES, Muir ES, Valley View ES, Roosevelt Middle School, Rosemont MS, Toll MS, Wilson MS, Verdugo Academy, Clark Magnet High School, Crescenta Valley HS, Glendale HS, Hoover HS

The Super Tutor Program uses a team of student academic tutors who support their peers in a variety of courses at Glendale USD schools while giving tutors an opportunity to develop leadership skills. Super Tutors have course mastery and participate in a certification training on effective tutoring and teaching practices to ensure they possess both content mastery and effective pedagogy. A special website lets students find tutoring schedules on their campus for their desired subjects.

Congratulations

Darneika Watson
Interim Superintendent

Jennifer Freemon
Board President

Vivian Ekchian
Retired Superintendent

Collin Sasse
Teacher Specialist

Stepan Mekhitarian
Director, Innovation, Instruction, Assessment and Accountability

Close-up landscape photograph perspective of a student highlighting certain words or phrases inside a workbook at the person's desk

Districtwide

Every Child a Reader by Third Grade (ECR3)

Campbell Union School District

Campbell Union School District’s ECR3 initiative provides promise to students with persistent literacy gaps, and a research-based, coherent curriculum that arms teachers with tools and training that give them confidence to meet the needs of all learners. Data from the program supports teacher empowerment and achievement for English learners and students with disabilities and the district is making progress in closing a long-standing opportunity gap.

Congratulations

Shelly Viramontez
Superintendent

Danielle M.S. Cohen
Board President

Whitney Holton
Associate Superintendent, Teaching and Learning

Tiffany Spaulding
Administrator, Literacy

Stephanie Day
Assistant Principal

Close-up landscape photograph perspective of a woman jotting down a note on her small sticky-note pad with a pen as she is also on the phone while glancing at the computer in her workspace area

Districtwide

Lynwood Job Opportunities for Youth (LJOY)

Lynwood Unified School District

The Lynwood Job Opportunities for Youth (LJOY) program offers McKinney-Vento and foster youth students the opportunity to work at local schools while earning their high school diploma. LJOY allows students that have faced challenges to re-engage in school by participating in on-the-job training and mentorship opportunities while working toward their high school diploma. When a student completes the LJOY program, they will have earned their high school diploma and will have gained valuable work experience and skills needed for post-graduation.

Congratulations

Gudiel R. Crosthwaite
Superintendent

Alfonso Morales, Esq.
Board President

Gary Hardie, Jr.
Board Vice President

Alma Carina Castro
Board Clerk

Maria G. Lopez
Board Member

Julian Del Real-Calleros
Board Member

Shawna Dinkins
Deputy Superintendent

Maribel Martinez
Director, Student Services

Jose Jauregui
Assistant Director, Student Services

Deettra Davis
LJOY Supervisor

Landscape aerial photograph perspective of an alumni panel meeting as four individuals are seated down speaking about their experiences to other current enrolled students as they all listen in on the conversation

Middle/High School

NMUSD Graduation Coach Program

Newport-Mesa Unified School District

The Newport-Mesa USD Admin Intern Graduation Coach Program was developed to combat the opportunity gap, which affects a significant number of students within the district. The Admin Intern Graduation Coach Program creates a full-time support position, the Graduation Coach, to connect the district’s neediest students with resources and supports, monitor their progress, and ensure they are able to engage in a successful and enriched middle school and high school experience, ultimately leading to graduation and multiple post-graduation options.

Congratulations

Wesley Smith
Superintendent

Ashley Anderson
Board President

Kerrie Torres
Assistant Superintendent

Mike Halt
Principal

Close-up landscape photograph perspective of students participating in a C-STEM (Computing, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activity as they all try to learn and understand key concepts, objectives, and processes

Districtwide

Computing, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (C-STEM)

Redlands Unified School District, Bryn Mawr Elementary School, Crafton ES, Judson & Brown ES, Kimberly ES, Smiley ES, Victoria ES, Beattie Middle School, Cope MS, Clement MS, Moore MS, Citrus Valley High School, Redlands HS, Redlands East Valley HS

The Computing, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (C-STEM) program in Redlands USD aims to transform mathematics education by integrating hands-on coding and robotics into California’s Common Core State Standards. There are two key objectives: closing the achievement gap for students traditionally underrepresented in STEM-related courses and developing students’ 21st-century problem-solving skills to tackle real-world concerns through integrated math and computer science education.

Congratulations

Juan Cabral
Superintendent

Melissa Ayala-Quintero
Board President

Ken Wagner, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services

Deepika Srivastava
Coordinator, STEAM and Innovation

Allen Thoe
Teacher

Joshua Barnor
Teacher

Vitaliy Orlov
Teacher

Michelle Center
Teacher

Cory Elgin
Teacher

Ruth Thompson
Teacher

Landscape photograph of some Santa Barbara Unified teachers, administrators, and students smiling and posing together for a picture outside nearby a few trees and a brick wall

Districtwide

Program for Effective Access to College (PEAC)

Santa Barbara Unified School District

Since 2011, the Santa Barbara Unified PEAC network has influenced the trajectory of first-generation college-bound students. In order to help close the opportunity gap, Santa Barbara Unified PEAC was launched in partnership with local private funders and colleges. PEAC offers students targeted academic support, mentoring, parent engagement, leadership institutes and college scholarships. PEAC offers a career pathway for graduates to return to Santa Barbara Unified as teachers. PEAC is an exemplary private–public partnership.

Congratulations

Hilda Maldonado
Superintendent

Wendy Sims-Moten
Board President

Albert Martinez
PEAC Program Coordinator

Lynne Sheffield
Assistant Superintendent, Education Services

JoAnn Caines
Co-founder, PEAC Program

Patricia Madrigal
Co-founder, PEAC Program

Jesus Campos
Assistant Principal

Alpha Ramirez
School Counselor

Rosemary Cordero
School Counselor

Michael Alvarez
Retired Administrator

Curriculum and Instruction through CA Standards Implementation — Mathematics

Includes programs and strategies for the effective implementation of California’s Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, with an emphasis on equitable, innovative, engaging and rigorous instruction.

Elementary School

West Orange
Mathematics Academy

Orange Unified School District, West Orange Elementary

At West Orange, math is in the heart of everything the district does. From math in the morning and the UC Davis C-STEM focus, to a wide range of math engagement events and challenges, the district has created an encouraging environment for students to practice and develop mathematical reasoning. What started as an idea to increase math performance has led to transforming the school culture and focus for all TK to fifth-grade students.

Congratulations

Ernie Gonzalez
Superintendent

Tracy Knibb
Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources

Karin Erich
Secretary for the Superintendent

Kris Erickson
Board Member

Ana Page
Board Member

Angie Rumsey
Board Member

Andrea Yamasaki
Board Member

Monica Murray
Principal

Sponsored by

Curriculum and Instruction through CA Standards Implementation — STEM/STEAM

Includes programs and strategies that support the teaching and learning of content in science, technology (including computer science), engineering and mathematics, with an emphasis on equitable, innovative, engaging and rigorous instruction. May also include approaches that integrate STEM content with the arts.

Student members of the Sweetwater Union High School District VEX Robotics League Program take a group photo at the entrance of the VEX Robotics World Championship

Middle/High School

Sweetwater VEX Robotics League Program

Sweetwater Union High School District

The Sweetwater Union HSD VEX Robotics League Program aims to integrate the potential of using robotics in STEAM education to build and expose students to 21st-century skills. Using VEX robotics, students learn to think critically, demonstrate solution progress and collaborate as a team to compete at district, state and world championships. Students collaborate in teams to build and design robots using coding language to program it, and compete in the VEX Robotics League Program. This program focuses on providing opportunities by creating a welcoming environment that encourages underrepresented populations to get involved in STEAM fields and be prepared for their college and career choices.

Congratulations

Moises Aguirre
Superintendent

Nick Segura
Board President

Ana Maria Alvarez
Assistant Superintendent

Brahim Wahib
Interim Director, College and Career Readiness

Jospeh Amaro
Lead Teacher

Leo Jesus Ulloa
Past STEAM Coordinator

Pearson
High School Coach

Brian Dougherty
Middle School Coach

Lucy Pellicane
Student

Emile Locke
Student

Enoch Shin
Student

Early Childhood Education

Includes all programs and initiatives that support developmentally appropriate learning for children (5 years old or younger), including full-day kindergarten; transitional kindergarten; preschool; collaborations with cities, counties and other organizations. May include strategies for expanding access to current programs while maintaining quality, for improving alignment between K-12 and early childhood systems, and for increased early childhood education teacher training, recruitment and retention.

Districtwide

TK & Kinder Readiness Academy

El Monte City School District

The TK & Kinder Readiness Academy closes the achievement gap for El Monte City SD students. This fully funded program provides online learning, family nights, parent workshops and more for students as they gain self-confidence and get a jump start on literacy and mathematics. Parents build a support network and learn to nurture their child’s social, emotional and academic development. TK and kindergarten students see themselves as scholars as they begin their educational journey in El Monte City SD.

Congratulations

Maribel Garcia
Superintendent

Christina Davila
Executive Administrator,
Jeff Seymour Family Center

Jessica Pardini
Educational Technologies Coordinator

EMCSD Department of Instruction

EMCSD Community Liaisons

Lisette Mendez Garcia
Board President

Jennifer Cobian
Board Member

Christina Flores
Board Member

Elizabeth Rivas
Board Member

David Siegrist
Board Member

Preschool

Early Childhood
Education Center

Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District, Mary Bird Early Childhood Education Center

Mary Bird Early Childhood Education Center, a California State Preschool Program, is an innovative full-inclusion preschool in Fairfield-Suisun USD. The district provides a developmentally appropriate and highly innovative preschool experience for children and their families. In this model program, students receiving special education services learn in the least restrictive environment alongside their peers. Mary Bird provides an early learning experience that lays the foundation for success in years to come.

Congratulations

Kris Corey
Superintendent

Sheila McCabe
Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services

Craig Wilson
Board President

Tina Ahn
Senior Director, Elementary Education

Stavros Gougoumis
Senior Director, Special Education

Ann Marie Neubert
Assistant Director, Elementary Education

Anna Mansker
Principal

Magen Edwards
Assistant Principal

Brittney Callaway
Preschool Program Specialist

Sponsored by

three adult women photographed smiling and holding certificates at three different locations

Adult Education

ECE University

Riverside County Office of Education, Early Care and Education

With the creation of the ECE University virtual training series, new and existing staff supporting Riverside COE’s Early Care and Education (ECE) programs have access to training modules for up-to-date program requirements, regulations and process information. This interactive training platform allows all members of the ECE team to remain current with policies and supports and provides consistent program implementation across multiple offices serving over 15,000 children, their families and early educators in Riverside County.

Congratulations

Edwin Gomez
Superintendent

Ray Curtis
Board President

JoAnne Lauer
Assistant Superintendent, Early Education Services

Jennifer Beggs
Executive Director, Early Care and Education

Viridiana Lopez
Coordinator

Katie Campbell
Coordinator

Christine Nguyen
Coordinator

Maria Lupita Becerra
Program Development Specialist

Inez Jarrett
Program Development Specialist

Michelle Sanders
Program Development Specialist

English Learners/
Biliteracy

Includes programs and strategies that assist English learners in achieving proficiency in English and in other academic subjects, including dual language immersion, developmental/maintenance language programs and heritage language programs. Includes strategies that support all students in achieving proficiency in written and spoken English and other languages so that they graduate from high school bilingual and biliterate.

young members of the Anaheim Elementary SD Spanish Dual Language Immersion Academy stand posing for a photo at an event, the young girls wearing red and black folklórico dresses and the young boys wearing black stetsons, white scarves, red button down shirts and black pants with large black buckled belts

Elementary School

Anaheim Elementary School District Dual Language Immersion Academy

Anaheim Elementary School District

The Anaheim Elementary SD Spanish Dual Language Immersion Academy follows a 90/10 model and is grounded in the three pillars of dual language education, the English Learner Roadmap and the English and Spanish Common Core State Standards. The academy includes primary and secondary language development and acquisition, development of academic vocabulary and literacy skills, and cultivating a positive self-image and cross-cultural understanding. The first of its kind in the state, the DLI Academy is offered at all 24 schools ensuring students have access to a rich multilingual and multicultural education.

Congratulations

Christopher Downing
Superintendent

Jackie Filbeck
Board President

Mary Grace
Assistant Superintendent

Maria Villegas
Director, Curriculum and Instruction

Magaly Rodriguez
Coordinator, Multilingual Language Programs

Lisette Sanchez
DLI Teacher on Special Assignment

Rhonda Robertson
Director

Valerie Valencia
Curriculum Specialist

Katie Hernandez
Curriculum Specialist

Naseem Mandalia
Curriculum Specialist

Intermediate Education

Auburndale in Action

Corona-Norco Unified School District, Auburndale Intermediate School

Auburndale in Action is a program that focuses on reclassifying students at the middle-school level, rather than risking long-term English learner status in high school. Internal structures of support are used for language development while continuing to provide a rigorous educational experience for all students. Corona-Norco USD uses a holistic approach to create a staff-wide culture of accountability for English learners, including a coherent professional development plan, increasing parent involvement and changing student mindset toward their achievement in this area.

Congratulations

Sam Buenrostro
Superintendent

Mary Helen Ybarra
Board President

Veronica Rodriguez
Principal

Joann Ferrara-Genao
Assistant Principal

Steven Loera
Dean

Amber Baltierra
Teacher

Maria Barba
Teacher

Linda Barrow
Teacher

Rosa Vilchis
Bilingual Aide

Lidia Ceja
Bilingual Aide

Hillview Middle School student members of the Menlo Park City SD’s English Fluency Reclassification Program stand up against a wall for a photo

Elementary/Middle School

Disrupting Predictable Outcomes

Menlo Park City Elementary School District, Encinal Elementary School, Laurel ES, Oak Knoll ES, Hillview Middle School

Menlo Park City SD’s English Fluency Reclassification Program leads to greater equity by giving all students the opportunity to engage, thrive and achieve their potential. By changing the way English learner services are delivered and the district’s reclassification criteria, MPCSD is reducing its number of long-term English learners and giving them access to the full curriculum of high school A-G courses. MPCSD maintains that 70 percent of its English learners are reclassified within five years as reported on the California State Dashboard.

Congratulations

Kristen Gracia
Superintendent

David Ackerman
Board President

Katherine Strach
Coordinator, Data, Assessment, and English Language Services

Jammie Behrendt
Associate Superintendent

Sharon Burns
Principal

Linda Creighton
Principal

Alicia Heneghan
Principal

Alica Payton
Principal

Danielle O’Brien
Principal

Equity and
Access

These programs strive to break down barriers that have prevented student access to an equitable education, including those that foster genuine cross-cultural understanding and inclusiveness, strategically target services to students based on their needs, and promote a more equitable distribution of resources. These programs put into action the belief that all students can learn when they have access to high-quality education programs and the supports they need to succeed.

a young student stands on a field holding a football as other players mingle at an inclusive sporting event at a Murrieta Valley Unified District school

Districtwide

Inclusion Initiative

Murrieta Valley Unified School District

Murrieta Valley USD’s Inclusion Initiative removes barriers for special education students, ensuring equitable education and fostering cross-cultural understanding. It focuses on meeting students’ needs and demonstrates that all students benefit from inclusive programs and opportunities. Inclusion fosters empathy in general education students, creates long-lasting friendships and provides hope to parents who value these meaningful connections. Continued success has resulted in promising data.

Congratulations

Ward Andrus
Superintendent

Pat Kelly
Former Superintendent

Linda Lunn
Board Member

Faythe Muchnik-Jax
Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services

Mary Walters
Former Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services

Zhanna Preston
Executive Director, Special Education

Brandi Heise
Teacher

Jason Cantu
Teacher

Jacquie Acosta
Parent

a young female Sacramento City Unified School District students stands outside at a podium, speaking into a microphone on a bright day

Districtwide

Equity-Based Facilities Master Plan

Sacramento City Unified School District

Sacramento City USD is composed of 81 schools, including neighborhoods with vast differences in socioeconomic levels. The district has grappled with a lack of community trust stemming from past school closures and inequitable school bond funding allocations. This led Sacramento City USD’s Board of Education to call for the creation of a districtwide facilities master plan that contained an equity index for identifying funding priorities based on student and community need. This pioneering new model equitably prioritizes capital asset projects and creates safeguards to ensure district bond dollars are prioritized at schools in historically underserved communities with high counts of unduplicated pupils. This Equity-Based Facilities Master Plan has helped rebuild trust with the community.

Congratulations

Lisa Allen
Superintendent

Chinua Rhodes
Board President

Lavina Grace Phillips
First Board Vice President

Jasjit Singh
Second Board Vice President

Nathaniel Browning
Director, Facilities

a woman stands at the head of a conference room beside a slide presentation board, addressing an audience of adults at a Reach Higher Shasta Student Matriculation Project meeting

High School

Reach Higher Shasta Student Matriculation Project

Shasta County Office of Education, Shasta Union HSD, Anderson Union HSD, Gateway USD, Fall River USD, Shasta COE Independent Study

The Reach Higher Shasta Student Matriculation Project is a multi-organization systematic approach to removing barriers so students can seamlessly transition to their local community college. Organizations share data to identify students whose applications in the student portal have errors, which can create barriers to matriculation. In just two years, there has been a 46 percent increase in Shasta County students enrolling at Shasta College during the fall after high school graduation.

Congratulations

Judy Flores
Superintendent

Kathy Barry
Board President

Tara Schwerdt
Coordinator, School Counseling

James Crandall
Regional Director, Data Strategies, North State Together

Jamie Spielmann
Director, Planning and Development, North State Together

Heather VanSlyke
School Counselor

Michelle Fairchild
Student Success Coordinator, Shasta College

Middle School

Los Nietos Middle School STEAM Academy Cybersecurity Program

Los Nietos School District, Los Nietos Middle School STEAM Academy

Engaging students through cybersecurity education, mentorship with STEAM professionals, and team-based competition to ensure they remain engaged in math and science after middle school is working! The program’s success has spawned a new middle school-to-college STEAM pathway in Los Nietos SD’s predominantly Hispanic community that is placing more students on the path to success in STEAM careers. Students from the inaugural cohort — the first in their family to attend college — are now pursuing STEAM degrees.

Congratulations

Ramiro Rubalcaba
Superintendent

Emilio Sosa
Board President

Edith Marcel
Board Vice President

Catherine Martinez
Board Clerk

Evelyn Avdalyan
Board Member

Maritza Nieves
Board Member

Shanonn Brann-Zelaya
Principal

Jacqueline Ramirez
Teacher

Carlos Ramirez
Industry Partner, Boeing

Gita Runkle
Dean of Business, Rio Hondo College

High School

Pirates at SEA

(Scholars Enrichment Academy)

Wheatland Union High School District, Wheatland Union High School

Pirates at SEA is Wheatland Union High School’s early college access program, linking students to college credits and career technical education pathways. Since its 2020 start, student enrollment in community college courses jumped from 5 percent to 55 percent. Students set goals such as completing Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or attaining an associate’s degree. Currently, 21 percent of the district’s 1,119 students participate, with 48 percent earning college credit. Interest in CTE courses has surged, with 753 students enrolled in one or more of the 44 CTE classes, and 23 of these offer college credit.

Congratulations

Nicole Newman
Superintendent

Tony Lopez
Tony Lopez

Carol Keiser
Director, CTE and College Readiness

Heather McHugh
Coordinator, College and Career Readiness

Schandia Edwards
Principal

Shawndel Meder
Board Member

Patti Agles
Board Member

Greg Forest
Board Member

Ryan Belflower
Board Member

Lukas Chang
Student Board Member

Expanded Learning and Engagement

Includes programs offered during expanded learning time that meet the needs of students and engage them in activities to strengthen their human potential, including athletics, visual and performing arts, enrichment, debate, mock trial, student government, before- and after-school programming, summer programming and independent study.

front view of five young girls standing in a schoolyard, each holding a canon camera to their eye

Districtwide

Summer Experience

San Luis Coastal Unified School District

San Luis Coastal USD is reimagining summer learning and engaging its elementary and middle school students in a dynamic, experiential six-week program that includes free classes, transportation, meals and child care using Extended Learning Opportunities Program funds. Summer Experience is inspiring students with hands-on learning opportunities and shifting the traditional “summer slide” into academic gains.

Congratulations

Eric Prater
Superintendent

Ellen Sheffer
Board President

Robert Banfield
Board Member

Mark Buchman
Board Member

Brian Clausen
Board Member

Eve Hinton
Board Member

Marilyn Rodger
Board Member

Chris Ungar
Board Member

Jeff Martin
Principal on Special Assignment

Debbie Blow
Creative Consultant

Family/Student/
Community Engagement

Includes programs that encourage or facilitate family involvement in their child’s education, including innovative approaches to outreach and effective involvement of families from diverse communities. Also includes programs in which LEAs incorporate student engagement in site and district/COE decision making, as well as broader community engagement efforts such as community partnerships.

two couples of elementary aged students sit on rocks outside while reading together

Elementary School

Outdoor Classroom Project

Morongo Unified School District, Yucca Valley Elementary School

The Outdoor Classroom Project at Yucca Valley Elementary School provides physical spaces for learning outdoors and opportunities for authentic, project-based learning and environmental education. Highlights include first- and fifth-grade buddies planting and maintaining garden areas, third graders working with maintenance and operations to recommend drought-tolerant trees to plant on campus, first-grade garden design, garden harvests and welcoming spaces for creative play and community gathering.

Congratulations

Patricio Vargas
Superintendent

Cathy Nelson
Board President

Sharon Flores
Assistant Superintendent, Business Services

David Daniels
Director, Maintenance and Operations/Facilities

Celeste Wahlberg
Director, Data and Assessment, Ed Tech, and Expanded Learning

Kristen Mery
Principal

Christina Beasley
Teacher

Soara Valeur
Teacher

Katherine Webster
Teacher

Districtwide

Parents As Leaders (PALs):

Building Capacity for Parent Leadership and Empowerment

Bakersfield City Elementary School District

The goals for Parents as Leaders (PALs) are to increase positive parent partnerships across the school sites and district. This engagement allows students to be exposed to their parents modeling the setting of a goal and achieving it through multiple opportunities. The leadership academies engage parents through training around relationship-building, leadership skills, reinforcement of learning and building up positive and supportive teacher and parent-child communication.

Congratulations

Mark Luque
Superintendent

Laura Guerrero Salgado
Board President

Dee Dee Harrison
Coordinator, Family and Community Engagement (FACE)

Hugo Heisler
Instructional Specialist, FACE

Patty Silva
Representative, FACE

Paulina Mora Fernandez
Representative, FACE

Antonia Serrano
Representative, FACE

Christine Meza
Representative, FACE

Susie Gallardo
Representative, FACE

Jennifer Santillan
Director, Extended Learning Programs

an older gentleman watches and guides with a pencil as a young boy sits beside him and reads

Elementary School

Reading Pals

Chico Unified School District, Chapman Elementary School, Citrus ES, Emma Wilson ES, Hooker ES, Oak ES, Little Chico Creek ES, Marigold ES, McManus ES, Neal Dow ES, Parkview ES, Rosedale ES, Shasta ES, Sierra View ES

Reading Pals Chico intertwines literary comprehension with community compassion by pairing volunteers with struggling readers. The premise is simple: one student, one volunteer, one hour a week. Since its inception, 1,300 Reading Pals volunteers have positively impacted 2,600 students. This community-driven program has provided over 67,000 hours of individualized mentorship, bolstering reading confidence and life-long learning skills. While literacy gains demonstrate the program’s success, the real magic lies in the connections that continue far beyond classroom doors.

Congratulations

Kelly Staley
Superintendent

Rory Rottschalk
Founder, Reading Pals

Michelle Curran
Founder, Reading Pals

Caitlin Dalby
Board President

Eileen Robinson
Board Vice President

Matt Tennis
Board Clerk

Tom Lando
Board Member

Rebecca Konkin
Board Member

Tina Keene
Director, Reading Pals

Sponsored by

Silver

close back view of a person wearing a shirt that reads: EWCSD Leadership Summit 2023 - We before Me

Districtwide

Student Leadership

East Whittier City Elementary School District

Students are valued and impactful leaders in East Whittier City SD. A student board member represents the voices of students in the community and actively participates in every board meeting. Student leaders from all school sites meet with the superintendent to voice their ideas and suggestions during Student Advisory Committee meetings. Every year, the district hosts the Student Leadership Summit for over 350 students to attend. The Student Leadership Initiative ensures that all students have opportunities to develop as 21st-century learners and leaders.

Congratulations

Marc Patterson
Superintendent

Armando Urteaga
Board President

Carlos Aparicio
Board Vice President

Wendy Carrera
Board Clerk

Christine Chacon Kennedy
Board Member

Lisa Michelle Dabbs
Board Member

Syrah Guzman
Student Board Member

Alicia Aceves
Assistant Superintendent, Educational Support Services

Trena Gonzalez
Director, Student Services

David Renteria
Program Supervisor

Districtwide

Parent University

Fresno Unified School District

Serving over 87,401 families in its 14 years, Parent University is committed to three major tenets — family learning, family leadership and family engagement. Parent University is leading the charge to broaden the district’s goal to increase inclusive opportunities for families to engage in their students’ education. This family goal has transformed Parent University, sparking a full redesign. The new strategy served 22,179 families last year, nearly quadrupling the level of service.

Congratulations

Robert G. Nelson
Superintendent

Genoveva Islas
Board President

Susan Wittrup
Board Clerk

Claudia Cazares
Board Member

Valerie F. Davis
Board Member

Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas
Board Member

Andy Levine
Board Member

Keshia Thomas
Board Member

Nikki Henry
Chief Communications Officer

Maiyer Vang
Executive Director

Districtwide

RITZ

(Rialto’s Incredible Talent Zone)

Rialto Unified School District

For over 16 years, The RITZ (Rialto’s Incredible Talent Zone) has been a beacon of student talent. Embracing the district’s beliefs, The RITZ highlights students’ exceptional talents, celebrates music as the universal language and deepens connections with communities. The RITZ is more than a dazzling gala; it is a commitment to support students through the Sharing Our Love Foundation. Since 2005, The RITZ has raised over $500,000 and continues to be the largest student fine arts gala in the county.

Congratulations

Cuauhtémoc Avila, Ed.D.
Superintendent, RITZ President

Stephanie E. Lewis
Board of Education President

Syeda Jafri
Chairperson

Ricardo Carlos
Co-Chair

Cherlynn Turan
Co-Chair, Silent Auction

Laura Lewis
Co-Chair, Silent Auction

Armando Urteaga
Secretary

Sandra Cordasco
Student Talent Coordinator

Edith Ortiz
Treasurer

Derek Harris
Co-Chair, Donations

Joseph Williams
Co-Chair, Donations

Matthew Peters
Chair, Publicity

faculty members of the Victor Elementary School District Child Welfare and Attendance Liaison (CWAL) program stand and sit for a group photo

Districtwide

Child Welfare &
Attendance Liaison

Victor Elementary School District

The Child Welfare and Attendance Liaison (CWAL) program is designed to help re-engage students and families to improve student attendance and build relationships within their schools. Using a data-driven, collaborative approach, the nine-person CWAL team works with the district’s 18 schools’ Multi-Tiered System of Supports teams to identify and overcome obstacles to student attendance. CWALs take the initiative to meet families wherever they are — homes, apartments, hotels or homeless shelters and provide them with resources to help get their students to school and succeed there. CWALs also help families in need connect with services that can help them in their day-to-day lives, from connecting them with social and emotional support to delivering school supplies and commodities.

Congratulations

Lori Clark
Superintendent

Tanya Benitez
Assistant Superintendent, Pupil Services

Clayton Moore
Board President

Sue Brannon
Board Vice President

Gabriel Luis Stine
Board Clerk

Allen Williams
Board Member

Gary Elder
Board Member

Ian Johnson
Supervisor, Child Welfare and Attendance

Innovation in the Times of Crises

Includes programs and services created in response to a public health emergency, natural disaster or other significant disruptions to learning. Programs and services might include, but are not limited to, strategies to provide opportunities to access the curriculum remotely, learning hubs, access to mental health and trauma services for students and staff, responsive resource distribution, public health and safety measures, and effective communication and family outreach.

Elementary school

EastwoodTV:

Cultivating a Creative Culture and Connecting the Community

Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District, Eastwood Elementary School

When students were forced into isolation, EastwoodTV (eTV) strengthened the school-home connection. eTV is the digital storytelling and broadcasting hub for Eastwood Elementary School that began during the global pandemic with a weekly principal update. Since then, eTV has evolved into a student-led program. Students learn multimedia storytelling, broadcasting, video editing, script writing, production and design. Through student-led content, eTV provides social-emotional learning resources, celebrates student and staff accomplishments, highlights pertinent information, and serves as a catalyst of innovation for partnering schools throughout the district.

Congratulations

John Lopez
Superintendent

Chris Staples
Board President

Kristine Cvar
Assistant Superintendent, Elementary

Joanne Jung
Director, College and Career Pathways

Ernesto Centeno
Coordinator, Instructional Technology

Darryll Ramsey, Jr.
Principal

Lena Franco
Elementary Student Support Specialist

Rose Bakh
Teacher

Multi-level/Districtwide

Cafecito, Amigos de RUSD Facebook Live

Riverside Unified School District

In March 2020, with the transition to remote learning and challenges in staying connected with families, Cafecito Amigos de RUSD Facebook Live emerged to communicate with Spanish-speaking parents and caregivers unable to access district communication platforms. With over 400 weekly views, Cafecito Amigos de RUSD has become one of the most sought-after family engagement activities and a lifeline for information and resources to support student learning and well-being.

Congratulations

Renee Hill
Superintendent

Angelo Farooq
Board President

Dale Kinnear
Board Vice President

Jacqueline Perez
Assistant Superintendent, Equity, Access and Community Engagement

Gabriela Alonso
Coordinator, School, Family and Community Partnerships

Susana Zamudio
Supervisor, Coordinated Family Services

Districtwide

Crisis Response Network

Orange County Office of Education

The Crisis Response Network (CRN) was developed to support Orange County school districts with crisis readiness, response and recovery. This program addresses the growing mental health crisis related to mass casualty events, sudden losses, natural disasters and pandemic-related fallout. CRN provides immediate crisis intervention, as well as training and long-term capacity building for districts to develop their own comprehensive, evidence-based crisis response plans.

Congratulations

Al Mijares
Superintendent

Ramon Miramontes
Deputy Superintendent

Sonia Llamas
Associate Superintendent

Lisa Sparks
Board President

Jami Parsons
Director

Stacy Deeble-Reynolds
Director

Mayu Iwatani
Manager

Mindy Daffron
Program Support/Lead

Summer Cirino
Program Support

Edgar Arce
Program Support

Professional Development
and Teacher Recruitment/
Retention

Includes all professional development programs for staff, including teachers, administrators and classified personnel, focused on improving cultural proficiency. May include beginning teacher support and assessment programs, as well as intern, credentialing and “grow-your-own” programs. Recruitment programs include those that have proven success in hiring and retaining teachers, particularly teachers of color and multilingual educators, in the district/county office of education. Also includes programs that offer successful strategies to attract and keep teachers in critical shortage areas.

a Clovis Unified School District teacher stands at a whiteboard with an elementary student, using a projector they do a weather/temperature exercise

Districtwide

Clovis USD’s Special Education Credentialing of Teacher Residents (SPECTER) Program

Clovis Unified School District

Clovis USD has committed significant resources in establishing a grow-your-own special education teacher infrastructure guided by the district’s Special Education Action Plan, which is designed to “efficiently and effectively align supports between our Special Education Department and other District departments to provide appropriate support for our students with special needs.” To meet these goals, CUSD established a state-funded special education teacher residency program in 2019 with the goal to annually produce 25 preliminary Education Specialist Credential holders to serve as full-time CUSD special education teachers.

Congratulations

Corrine Folmer
Superintendent

David DeFrank
Board President

Barry Jager
Associate Superintendent, Human Resources and Employee Relations

Lisa Dolan
Credential Analyst, Human Resources

Monica Castillo
Assistant Superintendent, Instructional Services

Carrie Carter
Administrator, Special Education

Theresa Pafford
Administrator, SELPA

Darrin Holtermann
Administrator, Curriculum and Instruction

Mashall Hamm
Director, Curriculum and Instruction

Districtwide

Collaborative Leadership:

Professional Development for Teachers

Alisal Union School District

The Collaborative Leadership approach to professional development at the Alisal Union SD has become a signature practice that has led to rising test scores, stronger professional development for and by Alisal teachers, and a stronger sense of community and collaboration. It brings together all teachers at each grade level once a week and the school leadership team once a month. In addition, all schools leadership teams meet monthly to review data and best practices and develop strategies that are best suited for each school community.

Congratulations

Jim Koenig
Superintendent

Guadalupe Ruiz Gilpas
Board President

Leticia Garcia
Board Vice President

Robert Ocampo
Board Clerk

Fernando Mercado
Board Member

José Antonio Jiménez
Board Member

Monica Anzo
Associate Superintendent, Educational Services

George Lopez
Coordinator, Human Resources

Jaime Pastoriza
President, Alisal Teachers Association

Edi Porter
Director, Curriculum and Instruction

adult graduates pictured wearing robes and caps and standing together in celebration

Multi-level/Districtwide

HUSD Teacher
Residency Program

Hemet Unified School District, San Jacinto Unified School District

Hemet USD’s Teacher Residency Program tackles staffing shortages, retention and diversity disparities. In collaboration with San Jacinto USD and Alder Graduate School of Education, the program offers aspiring educators a yearlong apprenticeship, a competitive stipend and a master’s degree. This innovative and replicable approach aligns with HUSD’s vision, secures sustainable funding, creates a pipeline of qualified local talent, and serves as a model for enhancing teacher diversity and effectiveness.

Congratulations

Christi Barrett
Superintendent

Stacey Bailey
Board President

Derek Jindra
Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources

Mark Garner
Director, Human Resources

Wendy Soto
Assistant Principal

Jessica Dykes
Teacher on Special Assignment

School Culture
and Safety

Includes programs that effectively prevent or reduce school violence by promoting a safe, positive school climate and by teaching students to resolve conflicts. May also include other prevention or intervention strategies such as programs that promote school safety using planning, monitoring and assessment tools; programs that support students’ sense of belonging and engagement in order to increase motivation and achievement; and successful efforts to reduce school suspensions and expulsions.

San Bernardino City Unified School District student members of the Undercover Anti-Bullying Team (UABT) take a group photo, each holding a certificate

Districtwide

SBCUSD Bullying
Intervention System

San Bernardino City Unified School District

In San Bernardino City USD, bullying is completely eliminated in a unique way without the need for suspensions. When bullying is reported, a screening occurs within two school days. Once bullying is confirmed, experts assigned to the Bullying Intervention System go to the school site to facilitate an innovative and highly effective restorative practice called the Undercover Anti-Bullying Team (UABT) from start to finish. Within the unique process of the UABT, the district is teaching the most influential peers to support the student being bullied in a highly structured, safe and restorative way.

Congratulations

Mauricio Arellano
Superintendent

Scott Wyatt
Board President

Sandra Rodriguez
Assistant Superintendent

Marlene Bicondova
Director, Positive Youth Development

Michelle Myers
Program Specialist, Positive Youth Development

Stephanie Fletcher
Program Specialist, Positive Youth Development

Multi-district/charter schools

Policy to Practice:

Suicide Intervention Toolkit

San Diego County Office of Education

Suicide is highly complex, and therefore requires a comprehensive approach for effective intervention. San Diego COE created an innovative toolkit that simplifies the process for schools to have systemic best practices and protocols to support students experiencing suicide ideation. What started as a local project quickly gained traction across the state. Key components of the toolkit include an evidence-based suicide risk screening tool, replicable templates, strategies and resources.

Congratulations

Paul Gothold
Superintendent

Rick Shea
Board President

Gloria Ciriza
Assistant Superintendent, Student Services and Programs

Mara Madrigal-Weiss
Executive Director, Student Wellness and School Culture

Heather Nemour
Coordinator, Student Wellness and School Culture

Violeta Mora
Program Specialist, Student Wellness and School Culture

Social/Emotional Health/Wellness

Programs focusing on a holistic approach to the social, emotional and mental health and well-being of all members of the LEA community including students, teachers, administrators, superintendents, board members and all other staff. Plans can include, but are not limited to, the expansion of counseling, professional development, trauma services, innovative use of district resources for mental health supports, and family and community mental health programming.

Districtwide

ASPIRE System of Care

Garden Grove Unified School District

The Garden Grove USD ASPIRE System of Care is a comprehensive, tiered, school-based mental health system. Having grown exponentially through board action and ongoing budget allocation, the ASPIRE team, led by school social workers, focuses on providing early intervention and ongoing wellness supports for students including wellness check-ins, group counseling and classroom wellness lessons. ASPIRE’s early intervention, whole-child/whole-family supports have resulted in significant decreases in students being referred for intensive individual mental health supports.

Congratulations

Gabriela Mafi
Superintendent

Walter Muneton
Board President

Teri Rocco
Board Vice President

Bob Harden
Board Member

Lan Quoc Nguyen
Board Member

Dina L. Nguyen
Board Member

Valerie Shedd
Assistant Superintendent, Special Education and Student Services

Steve Yoon
Director, Student Services

Jeff Layland
Coordinator, Student Services

two young Baldwin Park Unified School District students stand at a mental health resource table

Districtwide

A Multi-Tiered System of School Support for Mental Health:

Model for Covitality Implementation

Baldwin Park Unified School District

In 2018, Baldwin Park USD initiated a pilot program using the Covitality Survey to screen students in grades 4-12 due to a rise in mental health needs and instances of mental health hospitalizations. Historically, identifying struggling students with internalized stress, who may not exhibit overt behavioral issues, has been difficult, but the district’s survey implementation led to one-on-one meetings with 1,978 students and connecting them with appropriate mental health resources before they reached a critical point.

Congratulations

Froilan N. Mendoza
Superintendent

Diana E. Miranda-Dzib
Board President

Christina Lucero
Board Clerk/Vice President

John B. de Leon
Board Member

Santos Hernandez, Jr.
Board Member

Deanna C. Robles
Board Member

Marc W. Chaldu
Associate Superintendent, Business and Operations

Angela A. Salazar
Assistant Superintendent, Student Achievement

Christine R. Heinrichs
Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources

Alicia G. Fields
Director, Student Services

Perla Mendez
School Psychologist on Special Assignment

High School

Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council

Poway Unified School District, Abraxas High School, Del Norte HS, Mt. Carmel HS, Poway HS, Rancho Bernardo HS, Westview HS, Poway to Palomar Middle College

The Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SSAC) is composed of a diverse group of student leaders representing high schools from across Poway USD. SSAC’s student-led, holistic approach to impacting social-emotional and mental health districtwide serves as an outstanding and innovative example of how empowered learners can affect positive change. Their advocacy, leadership and annual service project have helped create a cultural shift in Poway USD prioritizing wellness among students, families and staff.

Congratulations

Marian Kim Phelps
Superintendent

Darshana Patel
Board President

Michelle O’Connor-Ratcliff
Board Vice President

Cindy Sytsma
Board Clerk

Ginger Couvrette
Board Member

Heather Plotzke
Board Member

Nirja Trivedi
Student Board Member

Christine Paik
Chief Communications Officer

Sponsored by

Bronze

back view of a young boy sitting at a round table and talking to a woman as his left hand hangs to his side petting a relaxed therapy dog wearing a scarf labeled Scout

Districtwide

Selma Unified School District Therapy Dog Program

Selma Unified School District

Therapy dogs Jeter and Scout paved the way for Selma Unified’s mental health team to provide high-quality emotional and mental health care for Selma students, taking away the stigma of seeking help. Therapy dogs help students to drop their defenses so clinicians can provide help. Much more than emotional-support dogs, Jeter and Scout serve as co-therapists who help students develop social skills and provide recovery from crisis and trauma. The outcome of the mental health team’s work is better attendance and achievement, and normalization of seeking help for mental health issues.

Congratulations

Edward Gomes
Superintendent

Rosemary Alanis
Board President

Kristy Rangel
Lead Mental Health Clinician/Therapy Dog Program Founder

Jeter Rangel
Lead Therapy Dog

Scout Rangel
Therapy Dog

Lizzette Rodriguez
Mental Health Clinician

Faith Contreras
School Psychologist

Monica Chapa
Principal

Nathan Lane
Principal

Special Education

Includes, but is not limited to, programs designed to serve students with special needs, from birth to age 22, such as preschool programs, full-inclusion programs, programs designed to reduce non-public school placements and adult-transition programs. May also include innovative programs and resources developed to address the learning and social impacts resulting from distance learning or independent study resulting from learning disruptions.

a classroom full of students using tablets during their lesson

Middle/High School

Effective Co-teaching Practices in Secondary Classrooms

Downey Unified School District, Downey High School, Warren HS, Doty Middle School Griffiths MS, Stauffer MS, Sussman MS

The Downey USD Board of Education implemented a new graduation policy in 2017, requiring ALL students to complete the 15 UC/CSU “A-G” subject requirements with a C or better by 2027. In response to these new rigorous requirements, the district’s secondary schools implemented a co-teaching inclusion model to give access to and support in A-G courses for all students. This model significantly contributed to the increase in the A-G completion rate for our students with individualized education programs (IEPs).

Congratulations

John Garcia
Superintendent

Giovanna Perez-Saab
Board President

Nancy A. Swenson
Board Vice President

Linda Salomon Saldaña
Board Clerk

Tyrone Conde
Board Member

D. Mark Morris
Board Member

Jose J. Rodriguez
Board Member

Barbara R. Samperi
Board Member

Roger Brossmer
Deputy Superintendent

Student Support Services

Includes programs and strategies that provide students with the supports and services they need to be successful in school. May include on-campus student service centers, parent education programs, foster and homeless youth support, counseling and mental health supports, intervention programs, peer assistance and nutrition programs, and interventions that reduce chronic absence.

school cafeteria workers preparing lunches in the kitchen

High School

Edible Learning:

Transforming School Cafeterias into Wellness Communities

Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District, Los Gatos High School, Saratoga High School

Edible Learning: Transforming School Cafeterias into Wellness Communities is a districtwide program that initially transformed a less-than-desirable cafeteria that provided low-quality ingredients, exorbitant costs and unengaged staff into a wellness hotspot that creates made-from-scratch meals for students, partners with nutritional science electives for hands-on learning, and nurtures student health, wellness and well-being from the inside out.

Congratulations

Bill W. Sanderson
Superintendent

Katherine Tseng
Board President

Misty Davies
Board Vice President

Steve Chen
Board Clerk

Theresa Bond
Board Member

Alex Shultz
Board Member

Kennedy Bahr
Student Board Member

Taylor Chu
Student Board Member

Delores Perley
Assistant Superintendent, Business and Support Services

Tanya De La Cruz
Public Information and Engagement Officer

Kristi Grasty
Assistant Principal

Paul Boundas, Contractor
Chef/Owner, Country House Restaurant

Los Gatos High School

Saratoga High School Cafeteria Staff

Multilevel

Counseling and Resource Enhancement (C.A.R.E)

Lowell Joint School District, El Portal Elementary School, Jordan ES, Macy ES, Meadow Green ES, Olita ES, Rancho-Starbuck Intermediate School

Lowell Joint ESD’s C.A.R.E program was developed knowing the challenges students face, especially in light of the recent pandemic and society’s challenges. The No. 1 goal is to connect person-to-person and heart-to-heart, as staff seek to meet the academic and social-emotional needs for all students throughout the district’s six schools. The members of the C.A.R.E. team reach out to engage every student from the most vulnerable groups, checking in weekly to ensure students do not fall through the cracks. The program provides every school with four additional psychologists and/or counseling interns.

Congratulations

Jim Coombs
Superintendent

Sharon Hensley
Intern Program Director

Whitney Takacs
Assistant Principal

Kaleo Igarta
Director, Special Education and Student Supports

Kari Heinrich
Program Specialist

four students smile with their diplomas at their graduation ceremony

High School

High School Road Show

Chino Valley Unified School District, Ruben S. Ayala High School

High School Road Shows were created in 2018 at Chino Valley USD to help school sites focus on academic data and to improve the data that impacts the California School Dashboard. The Ayala High School Counseling Department utilized the data from the yearly CIIS (Curriculum, Instruction, Innovation, and Support) High School Road Show meetings to positively impact the students at the school. With the guidance and support of Associate Superintendent Park and her team, the Road Show meetings highlight areas of strength and challenges that help create yearly goals for the district to support student achievement. The Road Shows, along with the dedication to our students, have helped the district become one of the strongest schools in San Bernardino County and the state.

Congratulations

Norm Enfield
Superintendent

Sonja Shaw
Board President

Grace Park
Associate Superintendent, Curriculum, Instruction, Innovation, and Student Division

Preston Carr
Director, Alternative Education

Diana Yarboi
Principal

Yvette Taylor
Assistant Principal, Curriculum and Instruction

Ryan Bell
Co-chair, Counseling

Ayala High School Counseling Department

Ayala High School Teachers

Systems of Support

Includes county offices of education that exemplify effective and collaborative support for continuous improvement in the districts they serve. Support can include those identified for differentiated improvement, with an emphasis on a systems approach. Among possible examples of supports, COEs might offer facilitated strategic planning, connecting districts with resources tailored to identified needs; networked improvement communities or inter- and intra-district collaboration; professional learning opportunities; or assistance with LCAP development and implementation.

2 women smile as they hold up handmade signs from students

Districtwide

Fresno County Superintendent’s Foster Youth Network Improvement Community (NIC)

Fresno County Office of Education

The Fresno County Superintendent, in partnership with a local school district, launched a Foster Youth Network with the goal of improving the literacy rates of third- through sixth-grade foster youth. With a refined focus around attendance, stability, reading and care coordination, over 20 cross-sector partners and community-based organizations are making it happen. Utilizing improvement science principles, cohort students have improved stability by 12 percent, attendance by 37 percent and literacy by 8 percent.

Congratulations

Dr. Michele Cantwell-Copher
Superintendent

Bryan Burton
Board President

Abby Petropulos
Executive Leadership Coach

Dr. Annie Sharp
Senior Director, Data Strategy and Improvement

Pamela Hancock
Director, Foster and Homeless Youth Educational Services

Jacob Pence
Lead Data Analyst

Linda Gleason
Director, Cradle to Career, Fresno County

Tumani Heights
Social-Emotional Manager II, Project ACCESS, Fresno Unified School District

Hon. Mary Dolas
Juvenile Court Judge, California Superior Court, County of Fresno

Sanja Bugay
Director, County of Fresno Department of Social Services

students in a classroom work on arts and crafts with materials spread on tables

High school

La Vista and La Sierra High School Academy

Fullerton Joint Union High School District, La Vista High School, La Sierra High School

La Vista and La Sierra High School Academy Program provides academic support and social connections for at-promise students to enhance social-emotional academic development and college and career readiness. The academy provides students with opportunities to participate in leadership roles and provides a space for teachers to cultivate their capacity as educators by sharing best teaching practices with their colleagues to positively impact student learning and achievement.

Congratulations

Steve McLaughlin
Superintendent

Joanne Fawley
Board President

Sandi Layana
Principal

Daphne Slogge
Assistant Principal

Al Rabanera
Lead Academy Teacher

Joel Medina
Student Intervention Liaison

Estefani Garcia
Community Partner

Pam Apolinar
SEL Committee Member and Academy Teacher

Technology Innovation

Includes the use of technology as an instructional tool that supports students in engaging with the curriculum, provides them with the skills to be successful in an increasingly technological world, expands access to educational services and promotes equal access to the technology essential to their education (including broadband, media and other resources).

High School

InvenTeam at Garey High School

Pomona Unified School District, Garey High School

In 2022, the Garey High School InvenTeam was awarded U.S. Patent 11382564B2. Their invention, a “medical monitoring system with a foot diagnostic device,” allows diabetics to self-monitor foot health. The team of eight student inventors (seven girls, one boy) and two teachers were in a district where 25 percent of students will be the first in their family to complete high school, 99 percent are minority, 95 percent are Hispanic, and 97 percent are socioeconomically disadvantaged. The students learned self-reliance, teamwork, creativity and determination. Everyone on the InvenTeam went on to universities and STEM careers.

Congratulations

Darren Knowles
Superintendent

Lorena Gonzalez
Board President

Roberta A. Perlman
Board Member

Antonio Gamboa
Teacher

Alexander Ruper
Teacher

Bridget Gardea
Teacher Specialist

Lilia Fuentes
Deputy Superintendent, Educational Services

Monica Principe
Director, Educational Services

Roddy Layton
Principal

Ercilia Gomez
School Office Manager III

Sponsored by

California School Boards Association
www.csba.org | (800) 266-3382

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