Winners announced for ACSA awards
April 28, 2025
ACSA’s annual Awards Program honors educational leaders who strive to create and support equitable educational opportunities for California students. Administrators of the Year awards in 21 categories and five special awards are given to outstanding educational leaders and one school-community partnership program.
The 2025 ACSA award recipients represent the excellence, dedication and innovation of administrators throughout the state.
Nominations were submitted to the leadership of ACSA’s 19 regions, with more than 260 finalists presented to the 2025 Awards Committee for consideration at the state level. Past President Parvin Ahmadi chaired the committee, comprised of current board members Lisa Eckhoff, Terrence Davis, Diego Ochoa, Dr. Julie Hatchel and Yvonne Sugimura. Their selections were approved by the Board Executive Committee, and winners were personally notified of their award.
“It was an absolute honor to serve on ACSA’s state Awards Committee,” said Hatchel. “The work our California administrators are doing on behalf of our students, staff and community members is inspiring and well worth honoring.”
“The work our California administrators are doing ... is inspiring and well worth honoring.”
— Dr. Julie Hatchel, Member of the ACSA Awards Committee
“This year’s ACSA state awards selection process was a thorough and thoughtful endeavor,” said Davis. “Each candidate was evaluated independently by all members of the panel to ensure fairness, consistency, and a comprehensive review of their contributions to education. The level of excellence and leadership demonstrated across the state was truly inspiring, making this a highly competitive and rewarding process.
“We commend all of the nominees for their outstanding commitment to students, staff and communities, and we look forward to celebrating the achievements of this year’s honorees.”
The 2025 recipients will be featured in EdCal beginning in June and will be honored at the Leadership Summit Statewide Awards Ceremony on Nov. 7 in San Francisco. Watch for more information about the 2025 Leadership Summit and recognition event when registration opens. Visit acsa.org/awards to learn how you can nominate a colleague for next year’s program beginning on Aug. 1.
2025 Special Awards and Administrator of the Year recipients
ACSA’s Awards Committee has announced the following winners for its special awards and Administrator of the Year Awards.
Special awards
Ferd. Kiesel Memorial Distinguished Service Award
Dr. Holly Edds
Superintendent, Orcutt Union School District
Region 13
Marcus Foster Memorial Award for Administrator Excellence
Dr. Frances Ufondu
Chief Business Officer, Palmdale School District
Region 15
Robert E. Kelly Award for Outstanding Community Service
Dr. Mary Lawlor
Region 18
Partners in Educational Excellence Award
Sci Phy Program in Partnership with Science Fleet Center
Region 18
Valuing Diversity Award
Juan Cruz
Superintendent, Franklin-McKinley School District
Region 8
Administrators of the Year
Superintendent of the Year
Mauricio Arellano
Superintendent, San Bernardino City Unified Schools District
Region 12
Secondary Principal of the Year
Derrick Lawson
Principal, Indio High School, Desert Sands Unified School District
Region 19
Middle Grades Principal of the Year
Sherry Strausbaugh
Principal, Thornton Middle School, Fremont Unified School District
Region 6
Elementary Principal of the Year
Dr. Jacqueline Duncan
Elementary Principal, Bay Laurel Elementary School, Las Virgenes Unified School District
Region 13
Central Office Administrator of the Year
Dr. Joann Vaars
Director of Educational Services, Santa Clara County Office of Education
Region 8
Secondary Co-Administrator of the Year
Cara Vienna
High School Assistant Principal, Los Alamitos High School, Los Alamitos Unified School District
Region 17
Elementary Co-Administrator of the Year
Michelle Davidson
Elementary School Vice Principal, Horace Mann Elementary, Bakersfield City School District
Region 11
Classified Leader of the Year
Michael Maaske
Director of Nutrition Services, Sylvan Union School District
Region 7
Confidential Employee of the Year
Antoinette Chambers
Executive Secretary to the Board of Education, Modesto City Schools
Region 7
Personnel/Human Resources Administrator of the Year
Dr. David Appling
Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources, Magnolia School District
Region 17
Adult Education Administrator of the Year
Dr. Jay Marquand
Director of Adult Education, Sweetwater Union High School District
Region 18
Career Technical Education Administrator of the Year
Lisa Rodriguez
Director of Student Services, Kings County Office of Education
Region 11
Special Education Administrator of the Year
Dr. Julie Hong
Director of Instructional Support, Innovation, and Competitive Advantage, Riverside County Office of Education
Region 19
Superintendent/Principal of the Year
Dr. Michelle Farrer
Superintendent/Principal, Children’s Community Charter School
Region 2
Business Services Administrator of the Year
Dr. Annette Alpern
Deputy Superintendent, Administrative Services, Redondo Beach Unified School District
Region 14
Student Services Administrator of the Year
Dr. Edison Kelly
Director of Student Services, Vallejo City Unified School District
Region 4
Curriculum & Instruction Administrator of the Year
Dr. Shawna Dinkins
Deputy Superintendent, Lynwood Unified School District
Region 14
Continuation/Educational Options Administrator of the Year
Dr. Jose Ramirez
Principal, Horizon School and Summit High School, Desert Sands Unified School District
Region 19
Professor of Education of the Year
Dr. Kimberlee McKenzie
Senior Director of Professional Leadership, Shasta County Office of Education
Region 1
Retired Administrator of the Year
Dr. Clifford Tyler
Region 8
Technology Administrator of the Year
Dr. Dominic Nguyen
Director of Innovation and Expanded Learning, Centralia Elementary School District
Region 17