Dr. Jeffrey Felix, Coronado Superintendent LOS ANGELES, January 25, 2010 – The Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) Superintendent Advisory Council is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Trudy Arriaga, superintendent of Ventura Unified School District, as the recipient of the 2010 Superintendent of the Year Award. This year GSEP is also pleased to recognize two Superintendents of Distinction: Dr. Johanna VanderMolen of the Campbell Union School District and Dr. Jeffrey Felix of the Coronado Unified School District. The Advisory Council is comprised of California superintendents and school leaders, and utilizes Pepperdine University as a forum to discuss issues that concern superintendents and their schools. GSEP also provides professional development activities for the Council’s members. “Arriaga leads from the heart, adhering to values that promote and support equity, excellence and acceptance,” said Dr. Robert Fraisse, the superintendent of the Laguna Beach Unified School District and former recipient of the award who nominated Arriaga for this distinction. “Under Arriaga’s leadership, student achievement consistently increases at all grade levels and across all student subgroups. She is a social and political leader at the community, county, and state levels, and has been tenacious in her advocacy to ensure that no child will go unheard by our legislators. Finally, Arriaga is a masterful team-builder promoting collaboration and cooperation, and motivating her staff with dignity and respect.” Arriaga, VanderMolen, and Felix will be honored for their visionary, instructional, and ethical leadership; organizational management; family and community involvement; and advocacy at the sixth annual Pepperdine Superintendent Advisory Council Dinner, at Tarpy’s Roadhouse restaurant in Monterey, California on Wednesday, January 27. The event coincides with the Association of California School Administrators annual conference and will be attended by Debbie Golden, president of the Ventura Unified School District Board, and Juliet Tiffany-Morales, governing board member for Campbell Union School District, as well as the Advisory Council members and other distinguished guests. “I am truly honored to be selected for this award,” professed Arriaga. “I am surrounded by a community of dedicated and talented staff, collaborative parents, incredible students, and a supportive Board of Trustees, which makes my role as superintendent a winning combination. I accept this recognition on behalf of the amazing educators in California who have dedicated their lives to ensure that all students receive an exemplary and balanced education fostering a life-long passion for learning and engagement.” Felix and VanderMolen expressed similar sentiments. Felix stated that, “Working in education has benefitted me just as much as the people I have served. There is no better feeling than knowing I have made a positive impact on another person’s life. Educating others has taught me about leadership, culture, and myself, and these experiences have given me a great deal of personal satisfaction.” “Great education happens because students are taught by dedicated teachers and successful schools are run by compassionate, strong leaders who make decisions in the best interest of their students,” offered VanderMolen. “The successes I have seen during my tenure as superintendent are largely due to this dedicated team of educators, in addition to the support of a committed Governing Board. I am honored to be a member of this team and humbled to be recognized for this award.” Arriaga began working for the Ventura Unified School District in 1975 as a paraeducator. Her journey toward the role of superintendent includes teaching grades three – adult in special education, migrant education, and adult education, as well as serving as an assistant principal, principal, and director of administrative support services. Arriaga is the first woman superintendent of the Ventura Unified School District, the third largest district in the county. Arriaga is the past president and current member of the Ventura Education Partnership, a community based organization that sponsors educational grants for district teachers, and is involved with the California Association of Latino Superintendents. She is also a member of the Association of California School Administrators, and a recipient of the Region 13 Superintendent of the Year award for 2009. Arriaga earned a master’s in Educational Administration and Supervision from Cal State University, Northridge; and a doctorate in Educational Policy, Planning and Administration from the University of Southern California. With Arriaga’s leadership and dedication of resources to ensure English learners have equal access to curricula and instructional opportunities that promote high student achievement, 21 of Ventura’s 25 traditional schools increased their API scores in 2009. Felix has 24 years of successful education experience in California. For the last 13 years he has served as a public school superintendent in San Diego County. Since arriving at the Coronado Unified School District in July 2008, he has worked to support the quest for all students to be learning in 21st century classrooms and to be taught with digital age tools and instructional methods. His edublogging study, an examination of blogging educators and their students, represents the first research on the use of blogging as an instructional practice. His work found that writing in a blog by both student and teacher may strengthen their relationship while also providing a unique means of communicating instruction more effectively. This study has been peer reviewed and published in a journal from the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education. Felix is an executive member of the Board of Directors for the Classroom of the Future Foundation, co-chair of the Superintendent Technology Advisory Committee for San Diego County, board member of the Coronado Schools Foundation, and a member of the Coronado Rotary and Association of California School Administrators. He earned a master’s in Computers from National University, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership earned jointly from the University of California San Diego, San Diego State University, and California State University San Marcos. VanderMolen became Campbell Union School District superintendent in August 2000, and will be retiring from her post on January 29. During her administration, the 7,300-student, K-8 district weathered several major budget reductions while making great strides in raising student achievement and maintaining small classes, full-day kindergarten, art, music, and athletics. She is credited with launching a successful district program, known as CUSD Extensions, which provides home schooling, district-operated afterschool and preschool programs, and fee-based childcare and summer camp. VanderMolen’s career includes state-, district- and classroom-level positions, including project director for the U.S. Department of Education Academic Integration Vocational Demonstration Project, curriculum auditor, and associate superintendent of Curriculum and Assessment. She is active with the Association of California School Administrators and Santa Clara County Superintendent’s Association, where she served as Chairwoman in 2007. In 2008, she received the YWCA’s Tribute to Women award, a competitive distinction honoring outstanding women executives in the Silicon Valley. Currently, she sits on the Board of Directors for the California Institute of School Improvement. VanderMolen earned a master’s in Education from Pepperdine University, and a doctorate from the University of San Francisco. About the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) GSEP is an innovative learning community where faculty, staff, and students of diverse cultures and perspectives work collaboratively to foster academic excellence, social purpose, and personal fulfillment. Through its integrative course work and practical training, GSEP prepares students to serve the needs of others through skilled leadership. GSEP offers six master’s and five doctoral programs across its five graduate campus locations throughout Southern California and online. Programs are fully accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and the American Psychological Association. For more information, visit: gsep.pepperdine.edu. Media Contact: Jaya Bhumitra Public Relations Manager Pepperdine University GSEP (310) 568-5773 [email protected] ###
