CCSA’s Legacy Award recognizes education leaders for their groundbreaking work to advance public charter schools across the state
LONG BEACH, CA – Today, the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) honored the pioneering work of four distinguished California charter public school leaders with CCSA Legacy Awards at the 2022 California Charter Schools Conference. The Legacy Award was created to recognize the groundbreaking work of education leaders in advancing the development of California’s public charter schools.
The CCSA Legacy Award is presented to leaders whose work can best be measured by the countless lives they have transformed, the opportunities opened for thousands of scholars, and the forward-thinking practices they nurtured in hundreds of classrooms and the generations of educators they have inspired.
“This year’s class of Legacy Award winners are all exceptional individuals who have led by example, demonstrating the best of California’s charter public school movement. As we celebrate 30 years of charters, I recognize that the success of the movement is built on the work of individuals who have gone above and beyond to reimagine California’s public education system,” said CCSA President and CEO Myrna Castrejón. “These four pioneers have shown a dedication to students through their transformative work and a relentless pursuit of equity. They are an inspiration to me and the countless others who will continue to pursue better educational outcomes for all of California’s students.”
The recipients of the 2022 CCSA Vision Awards are:
Mary Galvin, Director of Operations, Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education
Mary Galvin is the principal founder and administrator of Ventura Charter School, which has offered a progressive, high-quality unique student-centered, arts, technology, and global education focused education to K-8 students since 2006. As part of her work in the charter public school movement, she has collaborated with non-profit and government organizations and community members to identify resources and create partnerships. She has shown leadership in her work focused on the issues of small LEAs focused on building bridges with local districts. In addition, Galvin has served as a long-time leader on CCSA’s Member Council.
Alfonso Paz, Co-Founder, APEX Academy
Alfonso Paz has devoted his career to supporting underrepresented students and families in Los Angeles’s east Hollywood area with greater opportunities and access to college and other post-secondary options. In his various capacities, he has been a teacher, counselor, and Co-Founder/Co-Director of APEX Academy. His experiences have solidified his belief that it does take an entire village to raise a child to be a positive contributing member of society. He believes that while schools can provide a foundation for positive change in a community, it is strong partnerships between with families, schools, and communities that will positively influence the life of a student and ready them to make society united, stronger, and healthier.
Jenna Stauffer, Co-Founder, Lighthouse Community Public Schools
Jenna Stauffer is a pillar in the Oakland USD charter public school community. Along with her late husband Steve Sexton, she founded Lighthouse Community Public Schools, serving over 1,500 students in East Oakland. Under her leadership, over 90% of students graduated from Lighthouse for college and career upon graduation, creating generational change for hundreds of families. As a believer in deep listening, sharing power, and action to drive positive change, Stauffer led a multi-year process of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work led to the transformative diversification of her team from 30% BIPOC to 70% BIPOC and an inclusive workplace where racial affinity spaces were an integral part of professional development. During her tenure, Lighthouse Community Charter Public Schools was awarded CCSA’s 2013 Hart Vision Charter School of the Year.
Dr. Cheryl James-Ward, Superintendent, San Dieguito Union High School District
Dr. Cheryl James-Ward became Superintendent of the San Dieguito Union High School District in November 2021 after serving as CEO and Chief Engagement and Innovation Officer of e3 Civic High, a charter public school located in the San Diego Public Library. Recognized as one of the nation’s Top 50 most innovative schools in the U.S. by CNN Money, e3 Civic High’s mission and vision is to engage, educate, and empower its learning community to be passionate, life-long learners and civic leaders who are prepared for college, the workforce, and life. As a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at San Diego State University, Dr. Ward chose to join e3 because of its reputation and, in her words, “It was a haven for the research I am in love with.”