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's founding president, a man whose personal commitment to schools and students - and to this association - was exemplary.
2008 recipient: Dr. Robert Price, Region 7, District Superintendent, Empire Union School District
ACSA established the Marcus Foster Memorial Award for Administrator Excellence, sponsored by School Innovations and Advocacy, to honor educators who model the vision of Marcus Foster. 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.
2008 recipient: Robert Kessler, Region 6, Superintendent, San Ramon Valley Unified School District
ACSA's Valuing Diversity Award recognizes those who further ACSA's mission statement by promoting diversity and support for all children, parents and staff. The ACSA Mission is to support California's educational leaders; ensure all students have the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel and to champion public education.
2008 recipient: Dr. Eliseo Dávalos, Region 19, Director of Pupil Services, Corona-Norco Unified School District
ACSA's Robert E. Kelly Award, sponsored by Bank of America, 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.
2008 recipient: Dr. Walt Buster, Region 9
ACSA's Partners in Educational Excellence Award recognizes exemplary school-community partnership programs.
2008 recipients: Santa Cruz/Silicon Valley New Teacher Project, Region 10 and Tiger Woods Learning Center, Region 17
2008 Superintendent of the Year
Kathleen Wheeler, Region 1
Superintendent, Red Bluff Joint Union High School District
2008 Secondary Principal of the Year
Don Davis, Region 7
Principal, Waterford High School
2008 Middle Grades Principal of the Year
Tess Thomas, Region 6
Principal, Eleanor Murray Fallon Middle School
2008 Elementary Principal of the Year
Michele Pecina, Region 9
Principal, Millview Elementary School
2008 Central Office Administrator of the Year
Robert Phillips, Region 4
Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services, Solano County Office of Education
2008 Secondary Co-Administrator of the Year
Ammar Saheli, Region 6
Assistant Principal, San Leandro High School
2008 Elementary Co-Administrator of the Year
Maria Villegas, Region 17
Vice Principal, James Madison School
2008 Classified Manager of the Year
Susan Bedi, Region 9
Community Relations Officer, Fresno Unified School District
2008 Confidential Employee of the Year
Sylvia Garcia-Santos, Region 11
Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent, Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District
2008 Personnel/HR Administrator of the Year
Gabe Soumakian, Region 15
Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources Services, Burbank Unified School District
2008 Adult Education Administrator of the Year
Corinne Price, Region 10
Director/Principal, Salinas Adult School
2008 Career Technical Education Administrator of the Year
Alyssa Lynch, Region 8
Director, Santa Clara County ROP - North
2008 Special Education Administrator of the Year
Annette Cleveland, Region 17
Administrator, Special Education, Magnolia School District
2008 Superintendent/Principal of the Year
Henry Bietz, Region 1
Superintendent/Principal, Westwood Unified School District
2008 Business Services Administrator of the Year
Benjamin Picard, Region 8
Deputy Superintendent for Administrative Services, Sunnyvale School District
2008 Pupil Personnel Administrator of the Year
Craig Borba, Region 19
Assistant Superintendent, Pupil Personnel Services, Palm Springs Unified School District
2008 Curriculum & Instruction Administrator of the Year
Dr. Mary Jones, Region 7
Assistant Superintendent, Education Services, Ceres Unified School District
2008 Continuation/Educational Options Administrator of the Year
Patrick Dixon, Region 14
Principal, Educational Options Program, Bellflower Unified School District
2008 Professor of Education of the Year
Dr. Gary Kinsey, Region 12
Interim Associate Dean, College of Education & Integrative Studies, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
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