ACSA Awards Program
Program Overview
ACSA 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 at both the regional and state levels.
- 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
| (916) 329-3833 (call or text)
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. Find out more.
Other ACSA Awards
- Exemplary Woman in Education 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

Program Calendar
- Jan. 18, 2024: Nomination submission deadline for 2024 awards (nominations due for all awards in all regions)
- Feb. 8: State finalist submissions due (ACSA region leaders submit their finalists to the state Awards Committee)
- Late April: State recipients announced
- Nov. 15: State recipients recognized in San Diego
Help & Resources
General program info:
- Awards Program Overview
See a snapshot program overview, with information on each of the award categories. - Frequently Asked Questions
Read the most commonly asked questions about the program and nomination process, including questions about eligibility and supporting documents. - The Vetting Process
Learn how nominees are vetted by their peers at each level of the program. - Program Timeline
View a detailed timeline of the annual awards program from start to finish.
Starting your nomination:
- Awards Online Platform Training Video
Watch a brief training video of the online nomination platform and starting your nomination. - Everything You Need to Nominate
Get detailed information on all award categories, including exactly what you need to complete each nomination form. - Dos and Don'ts for Successful Nominations
- Award Nomination Tips & Pitfalls
- Sample Nomination Forms by Category
Region manager resources:
- Awards Program One-Sheet
A helpful information sheet for distribution. - FAQ for Region Leaders
- Awards Promotional Toolkit
- Region Award Manager Training Video
Watch a brief training video of region award management on the nomination platform, including downloading nominations and submitting state finalists. - Award Recipient Archive, 1975-present
View/search an archive of award recipients by year from 1975 to the present.
For additional help, please contact the awards coordinator.
Nomination Forms
2024 Awards Program
Award Nomination Portal
The nomination window for 2024 awards will open on Aug. 1. Nominations for all categories and all regions are due by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024.
You can view and access copies of your submitted nominations via the online nomination portal at any time. Just log in and look under My entries on the home screen, using the "Active season" dropdown to search past seasons.
2024 Every Student Succeeding
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Every Student Succeeding Nomination Form
Check with your region leadership for your region's 2024 ESS nomination deadline. All nominations must be submitted to your region leadership.
Learn more about the ESS Program.
Statewide Award Recipients
2023 Statewide Award Recipients
ACSA is proud to recognize the 2023 state award honorees. We offer our sincerest congratulation to all of this year's nominees, who without exception
represent the excellence and commitment of California's educators.
Winners will be honored at the Leadership Summit in Sacramento the evening of Nov. 3.
2023 Special Awards
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.
Ron Carruth
Superintendent, El Dorado Union HSD
Region 2
Marcus Foster Memorial Award for
Administrator Excellence
ACSA established the Marcus Foster Memorial Award 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 high school senior or seniors.
Susan C. Salcido, Ed.D
Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools, Santa Barbara COE
Region 13
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.
Kathy Wehunt
Region 15
Partners in Educational Excellence
ACSA's Partners in Educational Excellence Award recognizes exemplary school-community partnership programs.
YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles
Region 16
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.
Natalie Taylor
Director of Intervention and English Learner Programs, Claremont USD
Region 15
2023 Administrators of the Year
Superintendent of the Year
Cheryl E. Jordan
Superintendent, Milpitas USD
Region 8
Secondary Principal of the Year
Dr. Erika Tejeda
Principal, Liberty High Schools, Perris Union HSD
Region 19
Middle Grades Principal of the Year
Dr. Christa Glembocki
Principal, Dwyer Middle School,
Huntington Beach CSD
Region 17
Elementary Principal of the Year
Justine Turner
Principal, Oakbrook Academy of the Arts TK-8, Fairfield-Suisun USD
Region 4
Central Office Administrator of the Year
Joy Ceasar
Director of Learning, Instruction & Accountability,
El Centro ESD
Region 18
Secondary Co-Administrator of the Year
Monica Luther, Ed.D.
Assistant Principal, Orange High School,
Orange USD
Region 17
Elementary Co-Administrator of the Year
Nate Diamantine
Assistant Principal, Patricia Kay Beaver Leadership Magnet, Ceres USD
Region 7
Classified Leader of the Year
Corrin Conley
Personnel Services Director, East Whittier CSD
Region 15
Confidential Employee of the Year
Priscila Caballero
Senior Executive Assistant, County Superintendent of Schools, Santa Clara COE
Region 8
Personnel/Human Resources Administrator
of the Year
Brian Meisenheimer
Associate Superintendent of Human Resources, Merced CSD
Region 9
Adult Education Administrator of the Year
Michelle Claprood Lee
Principal, Charter Oak Adult Education,
Charter Oak USD
Region 15
Career Technical Education Administrator
of the Year
Alicia Caddell
Career Technical Education Coordinator, Folsom Cordova USD
Region 3
Special Education Administrator of the Year
Nanette Gray
Senior SELPA Director, Pleasanton USD/Tri-Valley SELPA
Region 6
Superintendent/Principal of the Year
Dr. Karen Villalobos
Superintendent/Principal, Twin Rivers Charter School, Yuba City USD Charter Authorizer
Region 2
Business Services Administrator of the Year
Kimberlie Linz
Chief Business Official, El Segundo USD
Region 14
Student Services Administrator of the Year
Dr. Donna Campbell
Assistant Superintendent of Student Services/Special Education, Palmdale ESD
Region 15
Curriculum & Instruction Administrator
of the Year
Lisa Cruikshank
Director of Special Projects, Thermalito Union ESD
Region 2
Continuation/Educational Options Administrator of the Year
Maria-Eduviges López-Cisneros
Principal, Valley Oak High School and Napa Valley Independent Studies, Napa Valley USD
Region 4
Professor of Education of the Year
Dr. Maureen Latham
Superintendent in Residence,
Azusa Pacific University
Region 19
Retired Administrator of the Year
Julie Braun Martin
Region 6
Technology Administrator of the Year
Christine Jones
Coordinator of Educational Technology,
Palmdale SD
Region 15