The Novato Unified School District is proud to announce that Kessa Early has been named Administrator of the Year for Region 4 of the Association of California School Administrators for Continuation/Educational Options.
Ms. Early has been the Principal of Alternative Education since 2007. She has created a healthy and vibrant school culture which is immediately obvious upon stepping on the campus and she recognizes and rewards hard work, appropriate behavior and academic achievement on a regular basis.
Ms. Early is also described as “visionary” as she constantly looks to the future once programs and systems are firmly in place. She researches what’s coming and then creates and implements the next offering. An example is the restorative justice system in the district in which students, in lieu of suspension for an infraction, can participate in a panel of students and staff to “repair the damage” rather than mete out punishment. Since student attitude and behavior have a colossal impact on academic achievement, this program has served to neutralize some of the anger, increase the “learning one’s lesson,” and prepare the students for scholarship.
“There is no doubt who is in charge at the Hill Education Center! Kessa has a strong work ethic and incredible organizational skills that help run the school predictably and efficiently. But most importantly, she knows all her students and staff and she cares deeply about them,” commented Jim Hogeboom, NUSD Superintendent.
The Association of California School Administrators is the largest umbrella organization for school leaders in the United States, serving more than 17,000 California educators. ACSA’s top priority is advocating for public school students in kindergarten through grade 12, as well as adult learners. Their mission is to be the driving force of education in California and beyond.
Since ACSA’s inception, administrator associations in 39 states have moved toward some form of consolidated or umbrella organization. ACSA is the only association in the nation that encompasses the broad spectrum of the management/leadership team.
ACSA serves administrators in 19 regions throughout California, each made up of local charters. For more information, please visit https://www.acsa.org/