Jonathon Brunson  Together we rise! It’s always been about service leadership. Each of us brings our past experiences to this chosen profession and look at us now. We have more diversity in leadership than ever before. Lifting leaders of varying ethnicities, gender and sexual orientation has enhanced our leadership with unique perspectives and insights. Together we rise as we represent over six million students in everything we do, and we should resemble and understand those we serve. Throughout my 33 years of service leadership in education, there has always been ACSA. I have served in almost every position at the charter and region levels in regions 3, 2 and region 8. As a board, we will align our strategic plan with our mission statement for our students’ success. But what good is a mission statement if we don’t listen to our students and our leaders from across the state? We are their voice when we reach out to our legislative agencies. We must rise together in order to close the opportunity gap. It’s our moral imperative. This is why I am a candidate for vice president of ACSA.   Together we rise so we can champion education for our students and each other.

Erin M. Simon, Ed.D. I attended my first ACSA Leadership Assembly seven years ago. I still remember how I was enthralled by ACSA’s strategic plan and burgeoning influence, its relentless pursuit of equity and advocacy on behalf of California’s six million plus students, and the full range of professional learning opportunities offered to educational leaders. Even with ACSA’s influential voice, educational leaders face challenging times ahead. Trauma disorders and other mental health issues are at an all-time high. Alternative, charter, and rural schools are struggling to meet the requirements of the College/Career Indicator and other redesigned accountability measures. And, with more students living in poverty, our educational system faces great strain. Now, more than ever, ACSA must ELEVATE its advocacy for “each student” to reach their academic potential, ELEVATE its stance on “equity” by providing fair, full and equitable funding for schools, and ELEVATE professional learning opportunities to ensure educational leaders have the knowledge and tools necessary to meet the diverse needs of “each student.” This is why with profound gratitude and great humility, I am a candidate for vice president of ACSA. Our educational system and our students are ready for a transformation and I am ready to lead the charge. Let’s elevate!

Edward Trimis, Ed.D. We are at a critical time in public education. It is a time when our leadership is needed at all levels (federal, state, district, school) to ensure every student is successful this year, next year, and for the many years to come. The work that we do in ACSA on the local, state, and national levels can ensure this happens. The achievement gap continues to be one of the most important civil rights issues of our time. What are we doing, and are we doing enough to make a difference for all students? We have the tools to accelerate this work. However, tools are useless without someone who knows how to use them. This is where ACSA can continue to help. We can sharpen the tools and get everyone on board working together. We can also continue to fight for equity at all levels in every school and district. Every student can and must learn at the highest levels possible.  My leadership in ACSA and experiences in urban and suburban high-achieving and nearly high achieving schools, has prepared me to be successful in helping guide our work. I look forward to working with you as your next ACSA vice president.