ACSA Statewide Awards Program

One of ACSA's priorities is to ensure that school leaders are recognized for their excellence. Through our annual awards program, we honor students, administrators and community organizations for their achievements and their dedication to public education.

Program Overview:

• State Special Awards: (state level only)
  – Ferd Kiesel Memorial Distinguished Service Award
  – Marcus Foster Memorial Award for Administrator Excellence
• Special Awards: (region and state levels)
  – Valuing Diversity Award
  – Partners in Educational Excellence Award
  – Robert E. Kelly Award
• Administrators of the Year (region and state levels)
• Every Student Succeeding Program (region and state levels)

Contact Us

ACSA Awards Program
Emily Agpoon, Program Coordinator
1029 J Street, Suite 500 | Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 329-3833 | fax (916) 596-9556

Every Student Succeeding Program

Each year, ACSA recognizes 19 pre-K-adult students, one from each geographic region, as well as two California adult education students, for overcoming the odds and achieving success.

Other ACSA Awards

• Exemplary Woman in Leadership Award, presented at the Women in School Leadership Forum in September
• Ray Curry Award, presented at the Personnel Institute in October
• Negotiator of the Year, presented at the Negotiators' Symposium in January

Ferd Kiesel Memorial
Distinguished Service Award

The Ferd. Kiesel Memorial Distinguished Service Award is ACSA's highest honor. Each year, we honor one individual who has made a significant contribution to education. The award is named after Ferd. Kiesel, ACSA founding president, a man whose personal commitment to schools and students-and to this association-was exemplary.

Elliott Duchon
Superintendent, Jurupa Unified School District
Region 19

Marcus Foster Memorial Award for
Administrator Excellence

ACSA established the Marcus Foster Memorial Award to honor educators who model the vision of Marcus Foster vision. Foster took risks to improve educational opportunities. His inclusive management style gave community and staff comfort and confidence. He was creative, and willing to try new ideas to reach out to students. Foster was a skilled manager of change. Recipients of this award receive a $5,000 grant for a designated high school senior or seniors.

Stacy Love Bryant
Deputy Superintendent, Palmdale School District
Region 15

Robert E. Kelly Award

ACSA's Robert E. Kelly Award honors individuals who help advance the high quality of public education and who have made significant contributions on a volunteer basis over the years. Recipients of this award receive a $5,000 grant for the nonprofit, tax-exempt charity of his or her choice.

Laurel Olsen
Region 8

Partners in Educational Excellence

ACSA's Partners in Educational Excellence Award recognizes exemplary school-community partnership programs.

Footsteps2Brilliance Literacy Partnership
Region 12

Valuing Diversity Award

ACSA's Valuing Diversity Award recognizes those who further ACSA's mission by promoting diversity and support for all children, parents and staff.

Manuel Colón
Chief Academic Officer, Educational Services,
Anaheim Union High School District
Region 17

Superintendent of the Year

Mary McNeil
Superintendent, Needles Unified School District
Region 12

Secondary Principal of the Year

Mark Anderson
Secondary Principal, Marshal Fundamental, Pasadena Unified School District
Region 15

Middle Grades Principal of the Year

Manuel Nunez
Principal, Seaside Middle School, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
Region 10

Elementary Principal of the Year

Beverly Hayes
Principal, Olivewood Elementary, National School District Region 18

Central Office Administrator of the Year

Jennifer Williams
Executive Director Administrative Services, Fullerton Joint Union High School District
Region 17

Secondary Co-Administrator of the Year

Katie Salo
Assistant Principal, Mt. Carmel High School, Poway Unified School District
Region 18

Elementary Co-Administrator of the Year

Shane Hulin
Assistant Principal, Sinclear Elementary School, Ceres Unified School District
Region 7

Classified Leader of the Year

Tamara Neely
Director, Classified Professional Learning, Fresno Unified School District
Region 9

Confidential Employee of the Year

Marlene Moreno
Administrative Assistant to the County Superintendent, Tulare County Office of Education
Region 11

Personnel/Human Resources Administrator
of the Year

Steven Hovey
Chief Personnel Officer/Associate Superintendent, Riverside County Office of Education
Region 19

Adult Education Administrator of the Year

Rocky Bettar
Director of Adult Education/Career Preparation, Rowland Adult and Community Education (RACE) Center, Rowland Unified School District
Region 15

Career Technical Education Administrator
of the Year

Rhonda Buss
Director of Secondary Schools, ABC Unified School District
Region 14

Special Education Administrator of the Year

Charity Plaxton-Hennings
Director of Mental Health and Psychological Services, Secondary Special Education, Riverside Unified School District
Region 19

Superintendent/Principal of the Year

Natalie Miller
Superintendent/Principal, Latrobe Union Elementary School District
Region 2

Business Services Administrator of the Year

Sheldon K. Smith, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent, San Luis Obispo County
Office of Education
Region 13

Student Services Administrator of the Year

Cynthia Guerrero
Director, Child, Welfare, and Attendance, Huntington Beach City School District
Region 17

Curriculum and Instruction Administrator
of the Year

David Bowling
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction, Wasco Union Elementary School District
Region 11

Continuation/Educational Options Administrator of the Year

Amos Nugent III
Principal, Community Collaborative Charter School (CCCS) North Sacramento, Gateway
Community Charters
Region 3

Professor of Education of the Year

Keith Larick
Doctoral Program Chair, Brandman University
Region 3

Retired Administrator of the Year

Steve Bailey
Region 13

Technology Administrator of the Year