At Los Alamitos High School, Assistant Principal Cara Vienna has emerged as a transformative leader known for her commitment to equity, student wellness and academic excellence. From launching academic boot camps and expanding special education services, to spearheading mental health initiatives like WellSpaces, Vienna ensures every student has the support they need to succeed.

For her outstanding leadership, Vienna has been selected as ACSA’s 2025 Secondary Co-Administrator of the Year.

Vienna has reimagined instructional practices through her work with Stanford’s Challenge Success, introducing a conflict calendar, shadow days with teachers and students, revising homework policies, and advocating for equitable grading. Her leadership in the Skills Lab program — an innovative alternative to continuation school — has contributed to the school’s 100 percent graduation rate for two consecutive years.

Vienna leads with both strategy and heart. She mentors aspiring administrators, trains staff on inclusive practices, and builds relationships that uplift the entire school community. Her collaboration with the counseling department has broadened college and career access, while her advocacy for students with special needs has strengthened co-teaching and created real-world learning through student-run businesses. Under her leadership, Los Alamitos expanded CTE programs and partnered with the Department of Rehabilitation to connect students with postsecondary resources.

Over more than two decades in teaching and administration, Vienna has modeled integrity, collaboration, and steadfast dedication. Her impact is seen not just in outcomes, but in the culture of care she cultivates, making Los Alamitos High School a model for student-centered education.

“I have had the privilege of witnessing Cara’s leadership in action, and I can confidently say that she epitomizes the qualities of an outstanding co-administrator,” wrote Los Alamitos USD Superintendent Dr. Andrew Pulver. “She is a dynamic and compassionate administrator who exemplifies the best qualities of educational leadership through her innovative mindset, tireless work ethic, and genuine care for students, staff, and families.”

What’s your favorite book or quote on leadership? “Leadership is not about being in charge. Leadership is about taking care of those in your charge.” — Simon Sinek, author and inspirational speaker

Current favorite book is “Grit” by Angela Duckworth.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? It’s what you do when no one is watching that truly defines who you are and what matters the most.

Failure is inevitable and without it one can never truly appreciate success.

What’s your best strategy for work-life balance?

Still haven’t figured that one out. I really spend a ton of time honoring balance for others, but often at my own expense. Have not been able to model this through my own actions, but am always working on it. I often try to remind myself that the work is never finished, therefore prioritize people and leave the rest for tomorrow. Ownership is huge to me, so on things that do not get finished within the timeline, communicating the truth and providing a goal for a new deadline is my consistent practice. I ensure that I give others this same grace as I give myself.

What are some life hacks that you would recommend for a new administrator? I live by my Outlook calendar and only use one email address. I maintain a monthly visual checklist and leave it on my large office whiteboard even after I have checked items off. This visual reminder helps me stay organized and feel that sense of accomplishment when I’m able to see all the boxes checked for the month. I also keep a small whiteboard list in front of my computer for my daily checklist of items.

What would people be surprised to learn about you? In my younger years, I never thought teaching would be a career path for me, because my school experience was not always positive, and my dad was a teacher and I wanted something different.

It was my adult clients with special needs that drove my “why” behind going back to school to become a Special Education Teacher (Mild/Mod Education Specialist). The best decision I have ever made!

What made you want to become a school administrator? Looking back on my career in education, I really did seek a new challenge about every five to six years. I am one who has always naturally enjoyed leading and getting things done as quickly as I can, a true task master. I love change and I seek challenges for myself whenever I can. The more I feel self-doubt the harder I push to accomplish the task and grow from the experience. After being a program specialist for the district and recognizing that I was successful and still led with my core values, it drove my decision to apply for an admin role. I actually was hired for the job as a middle school assistant principal before starting my admin credential. The cool part about doing my preliminary administrative credential at the same time of my first admin job was real time application of the skills. I absolutely love being able to serve and support teachers, staff, families and my most favorite, the kids.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve overcome to get where you are? I have long struggled with an inferiority complex and at times it sneaks its way back in during situations where I have to work out of my comfort zone. I use strategies to overcome this challenge by focusing on what the critical need is and allowing my core values to guide me. I remind myself of my why, students, and do my best to ignore the self-doubt.

What are you most proud of accomplishing? The relationships I have built over the 24 years in education are genuine and my most cherished accomplishment. These relationships are with people in every position within a district including families, students and community members. Also, staying true to who I am, never forgetting where I came from and utilizing my core principles in every position I have had regardless of the status.

How has ACSA supported you in your career/current position? ACSA has fostered opportunities for networking, sharing best practices and ideas, growth opportunities and, most important, meeting people from districts beyond my own. I absolutely love people — the more I can connect with them, the broader my tool box expands. People are my jam!

The theme for this year’s Leadership Summit is “Lead Loudly: Sharing Stories, Building Bridges.” What does Leading Loudly mean to you? Leading loudly to me means guiding with intentionality, purpose and heart! I am driven by sharing my strengths to support and uplift those around me. It is being selfless and allowing others to shine. It is celebrating the wins and growing from the losses. It is pivoting when adversity presents itself and thinking outside the box. It is the willingness to walk alongside others and lead the way you want to be led.