Find out about this year's Leaders in Education Awards.

2011

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 LEA 2011 Video Highlights

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Student of the Year - Jordan Castellanos

Jordan Castellanos was selected to receive a Toyota Scholarship and has been named the Student of the Year. This award recognizes the student in the region who most embodies the “Student Leader” traits and characteristics. Jordan has started college at the University of Redlands (CA) on August 31^st, 2011.

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 Parent of the Year - Rosa Elena Gonzalez

Through the nomination process Rosa Elena Gonzalez shined as the best example of those parents whose incredibly inspiring stories show their support and personal sacrifice to help their children succeed and pursue a higher education.

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Teacher of the Year - Dave Ungerer

Teachers of all Southern California were nominated by their students, and Dave Ungerer was selected for his creativity and personal dedication to inspire his students to pursue a university career. Dave Ungerer has supported hundreds of students of Kaiser High School since the school opened its doors in 1999.

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 School of the Year - The Accellerated School

The Accelerated School was founded in 1994 by two visionary young teachers with 50 students. The school has become a national model for education reform and professional development. The school has taken some very innovative approaches to education and college preparation. President and CEO, Joaquin Hernandez, and founder Johnathan Williams will receive the award on the school’s behalf.

2012

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LEA 2012 Video Highlights

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Student of the Year – Jonathan Chiquito-Crespo

Jonathan is a junior at California State University Los Angeles (CSULA), working on his bachelor’s degree in Finance, with a minor in Economics. In spite of severe obstacles with a debilitating stroke as a college freshman.  His hard work and determination has not only placed him in the Dean’s List as an International Scholar Laureate, but has instilled in him a commitment to inspire others to succeed, and a strong desire to help find cures for developmental disabilities in the future. 

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Parent of the Year – Eber Quezada Mori

A mathematician by training and teacher by trade in his native Peru, Eber Quezada traded his vocation to support a better education for his children. Because of his sacrifice and dedication, his older daughter is graduating in Business Administration from UC Berkeley, his son is also attending UC Berkeley double majoring in Physics and Mathematics, and his youngest son will start high school next year. Today, Eber runs his own pool service business while going to school with his wife Enma to learn English.

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Educator of the Year – Irazema Guerrero-Meléndez

A South Los Angeles native, Irazema Guerrero teaches at Camino Nuevo Jose Castellanos Elementary where she strives to better the lives for her students through empowerment in education. Her vision is to give her students access by encouraging them to achieve academically, believe college is not only important but attainable, mentoring them through the many challenges they face in their path to college, and involving the parents in the process.

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School of the Year – Woodrow Wilson High School

Woodrow Wilson High School was established in 1937 in East Los Angeles, where 94% of the community is of Hispanic background. Its mission is to empower all students with the skills and knowledge to become independent learners and achieve measurable success. Wilson’s student body consists of several academic-career learning communities and two magnet programs that have contributed to a positive jump in student’s academic performance.   (Photo: Principal Ursula Rosin).

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Mentor of the Year – Dr. Suzanna Guzmán

Dr. Suzannn Guzman is the director of community engagement at Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. She strongly supports arts education. She hosts, organizes, and chaperones events completely by herself and during after-school activities. Because LACHSA is a tuition-free public school, she has tirelessly combed L.A. County to spread the word of her high achieving school through every corner of LA County raising the numbers of applicants from 400 to 1100 in only 3 years.