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SEQUOIA DISTRICT'S GEMMA NAMED SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., April 24, 2009 - The Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) sets the bar high for selection of Superintendent of the Year.
ACSA says the individual must "have a handle on every aspect of education within the district, from the classroom all the way up to what comes down from the state and federal governments. The best superintendents are collaborative leaders, able to get the best out of site leaders and district staff, all with the focus of doing their very best for the students they serve."
On Monday evening at the Grosvenor Hotel in South San Francisco, Sequoia Union High School District Superintendent Pat Gemma, Ed.D., will be honored as this year's Superintendent of the Year for ACSA's Region 5, which encompasses all of San Mateo and San Francisco counties.
"We're pleased to learn of this honor," said Don Gibson, president of the Sequoia district board of trustees. "Superintendent Gemma is an exemplary educator who has achieved noteworthy success in his six years leading the Sequoia district.
"It's especially befitting that Dr. Gemma receives this honor at this time, when he is doing such a stellar job in navigating the District successfully through unprecedented economic conditions and other serious challenges. He has us headed into what promises to be one of the most exciting eras ever for the Sequoia district."
San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools Jean Holbrook, Ed.D., who nominated Gemma for the award, echoes the board president's sentiments. She says Gemma "understands the importance of visionary leadership and has implemented an annual goal setting process to bring that vision into reality."
Under Gemma's leadership, the Sequoia district has embraced a vision that focuses the work of faculty, administrators and professional support staff on engaging and preparing all students to excel in a 21st century global society.
In making the nomination, Holbrook also noted Gemma's leadership in passage of the bonds in 2004 and 2008 that are enabling significant facility and technology enhancements across the district - from state-of-the-art computer labs, updated classrooms and new libraries to professional-quality performing arts centers and new athletic fields, gyms and pools.
Holbrook also noted Gemma's advancement of a comprehensive career-technical education (CTE) program, which seeks to provide all students with support in identifying college majors and future careers. Holbrook says the CTE program "will be an enormous service to students and the future of San Mateo County."
"Never satisfied with the status quo, our schools have continued to distinguish themselves during Dr. Gemma's tenure," Gibson said. "Of the most recent graduating class, 96 percent of students went on to college following graduation. The District now offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum and support to all students who aspire to higher education, including students 'in the middle' and first-generation college students.
"The superintendent's advancement of a robust CTE program will be an ideal complement as the District continues its exceptional job in preparing students for college, careers or whatever path they choose following gradation.
"The honor of Superintendent of the Year is well deserved," he added.
Also being honored from the Sequoia district on April 27 is Joni Gordon, administrative vice principal at Carlmont High School, Belmont, who has been named Secondary Co-Administrator of the Year for ACSA's Region 5. Gordon was noted in the nomination for her "energy, enthusiasm, drive to ensure equity for all students both academically and socially, and passion for supporting every student to make wise choices and build a successful future."
Gordon will also be installed as president-elect for ACSA's Region 5 on April 27.
Established in 1895, Sequoia Union High School District serves the diverse needs of students in the San Francisco Mid-Peninsula region through four award-winning, comprehensive public high schools as well as a model continuation high school, a middle college (in collaboration with Cañada College) and an adult school. Through its robust portfolio of schools and specialized programs and services, state-of-the-art facilities and technology, and highly qualified teachers and staff, the District is committed to ensuring that all students are engaged and prepared to excel in a 21st century global society.
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