Menu
Log in

Outstanding Instructional Leader Award

  • Home
  • About
  • Outstanding Instructional Leader Award

Every year California ATLL selects an Outstanding Instructional Leader (OIL) who has significantly impacted/influenced public education in California. Individuals, who influence, advocate for and support professional growth and instructional leadership to ensure success for each learner are nominated by their CATLL peers. The award is given in recognition of Helen Heffernan who provided California with outstanding service, keen insight, vision and leadership. 

LEADERSHIP AWARD

School site and district leaders have been faced with enormous challenges; yet with determination, talent, and outstanding leadership, school is continuing. California is fortunate to have outstanding educational leaders who exemplify the best qualities of learning, teaching and leading. These are people who demonstrate true understanding of curriculum, instruction, and assessment and inspire others through their leadership. CATLL recognizes just one of these individuals with the CATLL Outstanding Instructional Leader (OIL) Award each year. Nomination guidelines, criteria, and directions can be found at the link below; nomination materials are due by December 15, 2026.

Here is a link to the Nomination form if you would like to nominate a worthy candidate.   OIL Award Nomination form 2024.pdf


California ATLL Congratulates our 2024 Outstanding Instructional Leader Award Recipient

Dr. Paul Gothold


Dr. Paul Gothold has been named the CASCD Outstanding Instructional Leader (OIL) Awardee - March 2024

The 2024 Award Winner, Dr. Paul Gothold was appointed as San Diego County Superintendent of Schools in 2017 after serving as Superintendent of the Lynwood Unified School District, where during his tenure, the district demonstrated the highest academic growth for two years in the state of California as measured by California Standards Test scores.  In the sever years he led Lynwood, graduation rates went from 58% to almost 90% with all historically underserved subgroups outperforming state averages in every academic marker.  In addition, Lynwood was awarded the college board AP District of the Year for simultaneously increasing Advanced Placement participation and test passage rates, an honor bestowed for only three districts in the entire country. 

Dr. Gothold has over 27 years of experience in K-12 education.  He previously served the Montebello Unified School District and the Los Angeles County Office of Education.  He is a member of the San Diego Taxpayers Association, the Association of California School Administrators, and the California County Superintendents, among other organizations.

In his current role and under his leadership the past six years, the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) has provided guidance and resources for close to 500,000 students, that not only include the 42 districts and 130 charter schools in San Diego County, but also schools throughout the state, nationally, and internationally.  SDCOE has been identified as the state leader in equity, cybersecurity, and bilingual education, and serves as a geographical lead, providing guidance and training for regional county offices.  Additionally, SDCOE also provides training and support statewide in the areas of mental health, drug prevention/intervention, American Indian studies, and others.

Dr. Gothold began his teaching career working with adjudicated youth; that passion and commitment continues today by supporting SDCOE's own schools, which are focused on doing whatever it takes to improve outcomes for students experiencing homelessness, those involved in the foster care and juvenile justice systems, pregnant/parenting teens, and students from other historically underserved populations.

With San Diego County touching the U.S.-Mexico border, SDCOE has served unaccompanied minors and transborder students, or those who cross the U.S.-Mexico border to attend school.  While the exact number of transborder students is unknown, it's estimated that the Tijuana-San Diego region has thousands.

One program that Gothold led to support unaccompanied minors was Futuro Brillante at the San Diego Convention Center, which served as a temporary shelter for them in 2021.  The ad hoc school ran classes twice a week for two hours a day, serving over 3,500 students for four months.  The effort drew employees from across SDCOE departments to create a curriculum, teach, and provide materials, technical needs and translation support for unaccompanied migrant students.

Dr. Gothold has been recognized and received numerous awards from community groups, legislators, parent groups, and educational organizations.  In January 2023, he was appointed by Senate President Pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins to the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence governing board.  He has also been awarded the Executive Leadership Award by the California County Superintendents and Justus A. Prentice Award from the national Association of Educational Services Agencies for his work in developing programs and increasing education opportunities and outcomes.

Dr. Gothold, a mentor and advisor for sitting and aspiring superintendents throughout the state, received his Doctor of Education from the University of Southern California, where he had served as an adjunct professor.  He received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Whittier College, where he has also seved as an adjunct professor.

The OIL Award is given annually to recognize an individual educator who has significantly contributed to education in California. 

Previous award winners include Dwight Bonds, Executive Director CAAASA (2023), Dr. Gina Potter, San Ysidro School District Superintendent (2022), and Cynthia "Cindy" Marten, Deputy Secretary of Education and former San Diego Superintendent (2021).


California ASCD is proud to announce Dwight Bonds, Executive Director of CAAASA, winner of the 2023 Outstanding Instructional Leader Award. 



Dwight Bonds, Dwight Bonds, an educator for over 50 years, is the Executive Director of the California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA).  CAAASA, which is celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, is comprised of educational leaders committed to identifying and addressing the critical issues in education that impact all students, but especially issues relative to the status and performance of African-American students in California.  Under the outstanding leadership of Dwight Bonds, CAAASA has grown its membership exponentially; strengthened key partnerships to support improving experiences and outcomes for African American students; and is recognized as a critical voice in addressing the underrepresentation of African American teachers and administrators.  Dwight Bonds has worked tirelessly during his 16 year tenure as Executive Director to identify and expand opportunities to provide high quality, student-driven professional development and establish professional learning networks with state and local entities focused on eliminating disparities and improving educational systems for students of color.  Most recently, CAAASA's mission has broadened to include supporting health and wellness for students and families of color through partnerships and grants that provide health and dental screenings and information, immunizations, school supplies, food, clothing, and other essential resources.


Award presented by Katherine Castleberry and Dr. Michele Bowers, CASCD Board of Director members on March 15, 2023.

2022 Winner

     

Dr. Gina Potter, San Ysidro School District Superintendent has been named CASCD Outstanding Instructional Leader (OIL) Award.  The OIL Award is given annually to recognize an individual educator who has significantly contributed to education in California.  Dr. Gina Potter has served in the field of education for over 30 years within 7 culturally diverse school districts throughout California.  Dr. Potter is a third-generation educator in south San Diego County, having followed in the footsteps of both her parents and grandfather who are all retired South Bay educators.  Dr. Potter is currently the Vice President Legislative Action for Association of California Schools Administrators (ACSA). 

Former State Superintendent of Public Instruction summarized Dr. Potter's many contributions to education as follows, "I have had the opportunity to personally work with and observe Dr. Potter addressing the needs of our students learning the English language.  She has extensive experience in leading curriculum adoptions and ensuring that students receive the proper tools to help them succeed.  She is a strong advocate for holding our schools and school systems accountable to maximize student learning at all levels." 

In addition, Dr. Potter has established exemplary instructional programs such as International Baccalaureate, Dual Language and STEM Academies in schools and districts throughout the state with the highest percentages of English Language Learners, poverty and unhoused youth.  Most recently, during the recent pandemic crisis, Dr. Potter has provided exemplary leadership for the students and staff of San Ysidro School District. 


Past Winners

 1999-2000                

Bob and Sue Garmston
 2002-2003 Dr. Glen W. Thomas
Dr. Joann Merrick
 2003-2004 Michele Garside
 2005-2006 Tony L. Spears
Jeanie Cash 
 2008 Alice Petrossian
Rob Hudson
 2011 Sue Stickel
 2012 George Manthey
 2013 Karen Staph Walters
Vicki Barber
 2014 Sherry Skelly Griffith
Rowland Baker

 2015

Ellen Moir

 2016

Dr. Kevin Silberberg

Dr. Mike Hendricks

 2017 Dr. Linda Kaminski
 2018 Charlene Stringham
 2019

Dr. Michael R. McCormick

Dr. Thomas "Tom" Adams

 2020 Dr. Mary Ann Dewan
 2021 Dr. Cynthia "Cindy" Marten
   

Are you a member of California  Association for Teaching, Leading, and Learning (CATLL)?

CATLL members are active and involved in the changing face of education.  Join CATLL and become empowered with innovative solutions to support the success of all learners.   Sign up to become a member or renew your membership today!

Learn More

 

Phone/Text: (760) 673-9461
  Mailing: PO Box 1841
  Oroville, CA 95965

The California Association for Teaching, Leading, and Learning  (CATLL) is a diverse community of educators throughout California committed to promoting exemplary practices that ensure all learners reach their fullest potential.

  

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software