Sacramento, CA – At the 2025 California Charter Schools Conference, the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) honored two visionary leaders whose work has transformed California’s charter public school landscape. In a historic tribute, CCSA also officially renamed its Legacy Award as the Don Shalvey Legacy Award, honoring the late Don Shalvey—widely known as the godfather of California’s charter school movement—who passed away in March 2024.
A Lasting Tribute to Visionary Leadership
Originally established in 2022, the Legacy Award was created to recognize visionary education leaders whose pioneering work has shaped the development and success of California’s charter public schools. Now renamed as the Don Shalvey Legacy Award, this honor is given to leaders whose work is measured not only by the policies they shaped or the schools they built, but by the lives they have transformed—the students they have empowered, the innovative practices they have championed, and the educators they have inspired across generations.
CCSA proudly honors these two trailblazers for their lifelong commitment to education. Their leadership exemplifies the innovation, resilience, and student-centered approach that define California’s charter school movement.
"Don Shalvey’s legacy is deeply embedded in California’s charter school movement. His relentless drive for innovation and equity reshaped public education, opening doors for countless students to access high-quality opportunities,” said Myrna Castrejón, President and CEO of CCSA. “The inaugural recipients of this award have not only built schools but transformed lives, ensuring that students of all backgrounds have access to excellence.”
2025 Don Shalvey Legacy Award Recipients
DON SHALVEY (In Memoriam)
>> PLAY VIDEO: A Visionary Leader Who Transformed Education in California
Don Shalvey’s influence on California’s charter school landscape is unparalleled. In 1992, as Superintendent of San Carlos School District, he sponsored California’s first charter school, the San Carlos Charter Learning Center. His advocacy, combined with his leadership in policy and practice, laid the foundation for California’s thriving charter school sector, now the largest in the nation.
Over his 57-year career, Don’s contributions were vast and enduring:
- 1998 – Partnered with Reed Hastings (future Netflix founder) on a grassroots campaign that led to lifting the cap on charter schools in California.
- 1998 – Founded Aspire Public Schools, which now operates 36 schools and educates more than 11,000 students, including at the Vincent Shalvey Academy.
- Served as Deputy Director of Education at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where he influenced national education policy.
- Led San Joaquin A+, focusing on improving education in Stockton and San Joaquin County.
- Served as a Regent at the University of the Pacific, further shaping education leadership in California.
Don’s visionary leadership reshaped public education, proving that charter schools can serve all students—especially those from historically underserved communities. His mentorship, advocacy, and relentless pursuit of educational excellence continue to inspire future generations.
LIZA BERCOVICI
>> PLAY VIDEO: Transforming Lives Through the Power of Education and the Arts
After a successful career in family law, Liza Bercovici found a new calling following an unimaginable tragedy. In 1999, her 13-year-old daughter Gabriella—an avid dancer—tragically passed away in a bicycle accident. To honor her daughter’s love for dance, Liza established The Gabriella Foundation, now called Everybody Dance LA!, to provide high-quality, low-cost dance instruction for underprivileged youth in Los Angeles.
Seeing the profound impact of arts education on children’s lives, Liza expanded her mission by founding Gabriella Charter Schools (GCS):
- 2005 – Opened Gabriella Charter School 1 (GCS1) in Los Angeles.
- 2017 – Expanded with Gabriella Charter School 2 (GCS2).
- Integrated dance into the academic curriculum, making arts education a cornerstone of the student experience.
Gabriella Charter Schools serve students from some of Los Angeles’ most under-resourced neighborhoods, consistently earning statewide and national recognition for academic excellence and commitment to equity:
- California Distinguished School Award
- Exemplary Arts Program Award
- California Honor Roll & Gold Ribbon Award
- Title 1 Achievement Award
- Innovate Public Schools & USC Rankings: GCS1 recognized as a top public middle school for low-income Latinx students in English and math.
Liza has redefined what a high-quality public education can be, proving that academic success and artistic expression can go hand in hand. Her advocacy and leadership have empowered thousands of students and families, leaving a lasting imprint on education.
For more information on the Don Shalvey Legacy Awards, visit https://info.ccsa.org/awards. For media interviews, please contact Ana Tintocalis, CCSA Managing Director of Public Relations & Creative Services at [email protected] 916.666.2284
###