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.

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
eagpoon(at)acsa.org | (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

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

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