On Saturday, April 24, the SOE community gathered virtually to celebrate its 2021 awards, which recognized students, alumni, and other educators whose scholarship and work exemplify the school’s excellence and core values. The ceremony also honored a handful of 2020 award winners who had not been formally celebrated last year due to Covid-19.
In a kickoff speech, Dean Michelle D. Young offered a reminder about the importance of communal strength and harmony. ”Given the challenges our global community has faced this year, and the toll they have taken on many of our community members, it is particularly important that we pause and celebrate our accomplishments and successes,” she said.
The complete list of winners and honorees is below.
| 2020 Educator of the Year | Dr. Shawna DraxtonExecutive Director, WISH Charter Schools |
| 2021 Educator of the Year | Dr. Carl CohnProfessor Emeritus, Claremont Graduate University |
| 2020 Excellence in Educational Leadership Award | Matt Hill Ed.D. ’19Superintendent, Burbank Unified School District |
| 2021 Excellence in Educational Leadership Award | Laura McGowan-Robinson Ed.D. ’16CEO and Founder, Diversity in Leadership Institute |
| 2020 Doctoral Program Outstanding Educational Leader for Social Justice Award | Laura McGowan-Robinson Ed.D. ’16CEO and Founder, Diversity in Leadership Institute |
| 2021 Doctoral Program Outstanding Educational Leader for Social Justice Award | Martinque Starnes Ed.D. ’15Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Westside Neighborhood School |
| Outstanding Undergraduate in Elementary Education | Sophia Farland |
| Outstanding Undergraduate in Secondary Education | Shannon O’Kane |
| Undergraduate Scholar of the Year | Shannon O’Kane |
| Kenneth L. Moffett Bilingual Education Award | José Abraham Piña |
| Outstanding Graduate in Special Education | Danielle Santangelo |
| Outstanding Graduate in Reading Instruction | Julianna Small |
| Outstanding Graduate in Urban Education | Christine Gutierrez |
| Outstanding Graduate in Educational Studies | Nicole Ramirez |
| Outstanding Graduate in Elementary Education | Karen Thomas |
| Outstanding Graduate in Secondary Education | Alejandro Arroyo |
| Outstanding Graduate in Higher Education Administration | Yadira Enciso |
| Outstanding Graduate in Catholic Education | Samantha Burton |
| Outstanding Graduate in Guidance and Counseling | Raheem Collins |
| Outstanding Graduate in School Counseling | Joanne Chan |
| Outstanding Graduate in Counseling | Taraneh Lipscomb |
| Outstanding Graduate in School Psychology | Ilene Uriarte |
| Outstanding Graduate in School Administration | Kia Clark |
| Outstanding Graduate in the Doctoral Program | Leyda W. Garcia |
| SOE Graduate Student of the Year | Leyda W. Garci |
