To Our Readers
ACSA Executive Director
Wesley Smith
Encouraging engagement in our schools can
be a difference maker for students.
Director of Communications/Editor
Naj Alikhan
Whether you’re at a the district office or in the classroom, we are all
student advocates and our job is to challenge our students to think and
motivate them to succeed in college and career.
Design/Layout
Stephen D. Long
Production Coordinator
We have an incredible responsibility to our students that goes beyond
what you read in textbooks. How do we increase student participation in
class and build student leaders? How do we encourage cultural expression
and what means do we have to incorporate different learning styles and
voices into the everyday work?
Emily Agpoon
Board of Directors
President
Holly Edds
President-Elect
Linda Kaminski
Vice President
Ron Williams
Vice President for
Legislative Action
Terri Rufert
Past President
Lisa Gonzales
Directors
Parvin Ahmadi, Ted Alejandre, Joe Austin,
Angel Barrett, Ana L. Boyenga, Daryl
Camp, Blanca Cavazos, Derrick Chau,
Juan Cruz, Timothy Gill, Craig Helmstedter,
Daniel Hernandez, Charles Hoffman, Linda
Hutcherson, Sue Kaiser, Lisa Ketchum,
Barbara Martinez, Christine McCormick,
Michael McCormick, Rafael Plascencia, Jay
Spaulding, Victor Thompson, Denise Wickham
Editorial Office
1029 J Street, Suite 500
Sacramento, CA 95814
916.444.3216 or 800.608.ACSA
www.acsa.org
This is an exciting edition of Leadership Magazine because we are going beyond theoretical
practices. We have insight from members and thought leaders on issues that matter most, includ-
ing school climate and building engaging learning environments.
Paula Madrigal kicks off this issue by describing the value of peer-to-peer relationships. She
provides analytical information about classroom collaboration that may very well make you re-
consider how you go about strengthening your classroom’s atmosphere.
For California education leaders putting an emphasis on the statewide System of Support,
we have two articles. The first is by Dr. Gloria E. Ciriza, who discusses her district’s approach to
improvement. The second is from Dr. Nellie Meyer, who discusses a district taking a think tank
approach to further service to students.
Dr. Don Vu is the principal of Barrett Ranch Elementary School in Northern California and
has been an educator for more than 20 years. He believes that school is where the seeds are sown
in building a better America. His article on how we can create safe environments will give you
some ideas on how to examine your current school environment.
Finally, we have a very interesting piece from Bernie Vidales, superintendent of Jefferson
Elementary School District, on Inquiry-based learning.
Educators are lifelong learners and I believe every day serves as an opportunity for growth.
This edition of Leadership Magazine, like so many things we do at ACSA, serves as an opportu-
nity to rethink, rework and develop.
Advertising Office
Diana Granger, ad sales rep
530.642.0111
Subscription Information
650.692.4300 or 800.608.ACSA
Leadership magazine (ISSN 1531-3174) is
published bi-monthly in September/October,
November/December, January/February, March/
April and May/June by the Association of Cali-
fornia School Administrators, 1575 Bayshore
Hwy., Burlingame, CA 94010. (USPS 282-740)
Annual subscription: $60; single copies $12
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are not statements of policy or endorsements of
ACSA. Postmaster: Send address changes to:
Leadership magazine, ACSA, 1575
Bayshore Hwy., Burlingame, CA 94010.
Holly Edds
ACSA President
November | December 2018
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