Kevin Baxter (M.A. ’01), superintendent of elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, received the School of Education’s 2015 Educator of the Year award. The award was given in recognition of Baxter’s substantial contributions to the field of education, his lifelong commitment to enriching the lives of all young people and his work to ensure future generations have more equitable opportunities.
Baxter’s career in education spans nearly 20 years as a teacher, principal and now superintendent, as well as a part-time faculty member in the School of Education at Loyola Marymount University. He is the author of the book Changing the Ending (NCEA, 2011) and has written numerous articles focused on his research in Catholic education, specifically on financial and human resource management, special needs inclusion in Catholic education and the law, and Catholic/private education.
Baxter was recently named the director and superintendent of Catholic schools for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles effective July 1, 2015, where he will be responsible for implementing the vision for Catholic schools in the Archdiocese from Pre-K through the 12th grade. He holds a master’s degree in Secondary Education and a California Clear Credential in Biology/General Science from Loyola Marymount University. He earned a Doctorate of Education degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California.
“We are very pleased to honor Kevin Baxter for his significant positive impact on the lives of countless students and for his strong leadership of Catholic schools, which contribute so much to the common good of society,” said Shane P. Martin, dean of the School of Education.
Baxter received the award at the annual Kappa Delta Pi & SOE Awards ceremony on April 26, 2015. In accepting the award, Baxter credited the dedication and exceptional work of his fellow educators in the Los Angeles Archdiocese.
“While it is an individual recognition, it is more accurate to say it is a reflection of the great work being done by dedicated educators at the Department of Catholic Schools and at Catholic schools throughout the Archdiocese,” Baxter said. “I am excited about all that we have accomplished and I very much look forward to our continued work implementing the vision of growth, grounded in leadership and innovation.”
