– Press release

Pamela Jones, Superintendent of Big Pine Unified School District, was recently named the Administrator of the Year by Region 11 (Inyo, Mono, Kern, Kings and Fresno Counties) of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA).

Pamela Jones

Ms. Jones honor is based on her skills as an administrator, who keeps the students first in everything that she does. She believes that all students can learn, that learning should be meaningful and joyful for everyone involved, and that public education transforms our society.  She has a team approach to building a vision of what it takes to make a difference for students, both as the Big Pine School District Superintendent and the Inyo County Assistant Superintendent, a dual role that she has held for seven years.

Her work in each of those positions directly informs her work in the other, bringing the benefit of her County, Regional and State perspective to the District, and bringing her hands-on experience as a small district superintendent to the table at the County, Region and State.

Her leadership in supporting all of the Districts and County programs can best be described as inclusive and collaborative.  She has been instrumental in bringing Professional Learning Communities, RtI, character education, new curriculum standards, and a variety of instructional strategies to teachers in the County.  In her District she has led the way in the implementation of Expeditionary Learning (EL), a commitment to restructuring of teaching and learning that requires buy-in and sustained effort from staff and students. EL is an engaging and rigorous framework for school reform. The willingness of the Big Pine Board, community, staff and students to embrace and move forward with EL as a transformative model is a direct result of her leadership, and her inclusion of both staff and community input.

Marilyn Mann, President, Board of Trustees, Big Pine Unified School District believes that this is a well-deserved honor, stating, “I have had the pleasure of working with Pamela as our Superintendent for the last seven years.  Pamela came to us during a difficult transition period and immediately brought leadership and vision to this process.  I can’t say enough about her skills and abilities.  Pamela’s educational vision for our students and leadership in implementing Expeditionary Learning has had a tremendous positive impact on our school community.  In fact, my decision to serve another term as a Trustee was highly influenced by my desire to continue working with this marvelous woman.  Honoring her and her work is the least we can do as individuals committed to high quality education.”

Ms. Jones is currently under consideration for statewide recognition by ACSA.