Two Region 18 charters recently honored six non-administrators during a new event aimed at recognizing and encouraging future school leaders.

ACSA North County Managers Charter and Palomar Charter sought to promote the leadership of non-administrative staff within the north county of San Diego. After reviewing the ACSA mission, it was decided to seek staff that exemplified leadership, equity and a community of learning.

Administrators from both charters were invited to nominate a staff member by detailing examples in which they have demonstrated these values. Each charter reviewed nominations using a rubric and were delighted to celebrate three leaders from each charter during the first ever ACSA Region 18 Northern Consortium of Charters Leadership Awards on April 24.

Superintendents or their representatives from recognized leader districts attended, along with their charter board, the administrator who nominated them, their family and friends. This was the first of what will be an annual event, which is intended to expand in following years with the Greater San Dieguito Charter. ACSA Region 18 Executive Director Tom Teagle expressed his enthusiasm for recognizing these amazing leaders, and the nominating administrators were noted for their efforts in this process.

The individuals who were recognized are Kellie Stawicki, Teresa Lucero, Jeara Romasanta, Tamara Drummond, Erik Kerby and Tracy Greer, who represented Oceanside Unified School District, Vista Unified School District, Escondido Union School District and Escondido Union High School District.

Charter board members from Palomar include Mark Burroughs, Jon Peterson, and Luis Rankins-Ibarra. Charter board members from North County Mangers Charter with Region 18 board representation include Skyler Garrahy, Tracy Zachry, Myeshia Whigham, Garry Dillard, Myron Seabrook, Joan Faus and Julie Vitale. San Marcos Unified School District hosted the event, which was sponsored by SchoolsFirst, Equitable Advisors, FranklinCovey and Grand Canyon University.

On April 18, ACSA Region 14 celebrated its Administrators of the Year with an award presentation and dinner at the Palos Verdes Golf Club. In front of a view stretching from the ocean to the hills of Los Angeles, Region 14 lauded the hard-working and inspiring individuals who made up this year’s crop of award winners. With speeches that ran the gamut from funny to heartwarming to serious, these amazing individuals reminded the assembled guests why we work in education, the vital importance of a good administrator, that good administrators can only exist with the help of strong supporting teams, and ACSA’s role in helping them grow and thrive.

The Region 14 Administrators of the Year are:

Adult Education: Wayne Diulio, Torrance USD (state award winner). Business Services Administrator: Mara Pagniano, Hawthorne School District. Career Technical Education Administrator: Sasha Leonardo, ABC USD. Central Office Administrator: Wayne Shannon, Downey USD. Continuing/Ed Options Administrator: Mark Hunter, Norwalk-La Mirada USD. Curriculum & Instruction Administrator: Dustin Seeman, Beverly Hills USD. Elementary Co-Administrator: Ali Rabiei, El Segundo USD (state award winner). Elementary Principal: Jessica Cummings, Bellflower USD. Personnel/HR Administrator: Matt Horvath, Beverly Hills USD. Middle Grades Principal: Kelly Anderson, Paramount USD. Secondary Principal: Ramon Enriquez, Lynwood USD. Special Education Administrator: Melissa Coughlin, Redondo Beach USD. Superintendent: Brian Markarian, Hawthorne School District. Valuing Diversity Award: Patricia Brent-Sanco, Lynwood USD.