Board of Directors
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Diann Kitamura served as superintendent of the Santa Rosa City Schools (SRCS) district since February 2016 and has worked in public education for the past 39 years. She continues this work in her retirement as a lecturer in the Leaders for Equity and Democracy (LEAD) doctoral program at U.C. Berkeley, the 21CLSA AAPI Affinity Group Lead for the Bay Area, and as a mentor/coach for Next Level Client Services (F3 Law). Superintendent Kitamura made the decision to become a teacher to ensure all children have access to quality education and an opportunity to learn and grow into purposeful and thoughtful individuals. She was inspired by her undocumented and immigrant grandparents who travel to the United States to ensure the same for her. Dr. Kitamura’s mother was interned with her parents and four siblings during World War II at the Amache Internment Camp for Japanese American Citizens. After being released from Amache, her mother endured prejudice, abuse, and isolation when she re-entered public school. This was a major influence on Diann’s decision to become a public educator. Among her accomplishments, Diann was awarded the Association of California School Administrator 2020 Ferd Kiesel Memorial Distinguished Award. This is the highest award ACSA presents to a California administrator. She was appointed to the Fiscal Crisis Management Team (FCMAT) in 2020, the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence Advisory Council in 2019, and the California School Boards Association (CSBA) Superintendents Advisory Council (2nd two-year term). In 2016, Dr. Kitamura was awarded a Brandman University Doctoral Fellowship and earned her doctorate degree in 2019. The U.S. Army Award of Excellence was presented to Dr. Kitamura in 2018, and she was named a Hometown Hero by Travis Air Force Base in 2019. She was recognized as the Sonoma County Assistant Superintendent of the Year for 2015 and named the KRCB (NPR) American Graduate Champion 2015 SRCS received the California School Boards Association (CSBA) Golden Bell Award in 2014 and 2016. She serves the Santa Rosa community as a member of several steering committees and task forces. Diann is committed to serving students and their families by ensuring that quality educational opportunities are provided equitably for all students. She believes sense making learning experiences and support systems embrace our students’ assets, engages and inspires, and empowers them to dream big, find purpose, and thrive.
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Jose "Joey" Mata is an educational leader and advocate for equity and social justice. He currently serves as assistant principal at Estancia High School of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District in Costa Mesa, California and has previous experience at Los Angeles Leadership Academy in Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles and Duarte High School in Duarte, California. Before his work as a K-12 educator, Joey worked as a fellow and instructor in the Indiana University system, with a focus on the sociology of childhood/adolescence, social psychology, and the social roots of mental health. He holds degrees from Pitzer College and Indiana University and is currently a doctoral candidate in the Department of Educational Leadership at California State University, Fullerton. His current research examines issues of teacher workforce diversity and the impact of managerial representation on the job satisfaction of BIPOC teachers. Joey is passionate about engaging and empowering young people and school communities and believes strongly in the power of organizational culture and collaboration. Engage him in these and other topics on Twitter @APJoeyMata.
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Dr. Ratmony Yee currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services in the Victor Valley Union High School District. In the 26 years she has been in the education field, she has served in many capacities such as teacher, assistant principal, principal, and director spanning four districts, including Long Beach Unified School District, Rialto Unified School District and most recently, Riverside Unified School District. Dr. Yee’s passion for education lies in her belief that it is our moral imperative to provide equitable outcomes for all. As an immigrant and survivor of the Cambodian Holocaust, she believes that there is lack of representation for Asian American and Pacific Islander students. Her hope is that she can be a voice and advocate for those who have been marginalized or underrepresented. Dr. Yee is a transformational leader who encourages, inspires, and motivates. She enjoys coaching and mentoring aspiring and current administrators in their pursuit to achieve their personal and professional goals. She was a coach for the RCOE CASC program for many years and enjoys building people’s capacity to lead.
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Dr. Eveline Huh’s professional career has spanned over 20 years in education in the ABC Unified School District, and currently serves as the Director of Child Development and Special Programs. Dr. Huh has also served as principal, assistant principal, and teacher in ABC. Dr. Huh’s personal mission is rooted in her commitment to pursuing excellence and equity for all students. Her leadership has been defined by her focus on building relationships, developing leadership capacity in others, and leading with passion and purpose. Her visionary leadership has helped to bring the AVID System to several ABC elementary schools to mobilize school communities to set high expectations for student learning and create a culture that promotes college and career readiness for all. Developing leadership in others and collaborating with other education leaders is a passion for Dr. Huh. She currently mentors and coaches students in the University of La Verne doctoral program and serves on dissertation committees. Dr. Huh also facilitates professional learning for AVID for site and district leaders and has written professional learning strands about principal leadership and leading change for educational equity. As the current past president of ACSA’s Elementary Education Council and former ACSA’s state representative and liaison to NAESP (National Association of Elementary School Principals), Dr. Huh has engaged in legislative advocacy work and collaborates with educational leaders from across the state and country to advance educational initiatives. In 2019, Dr. Huh was named ACSA’s Region 14 Elementary Principal of the Year. Most recently, in May 2022, Dr. Huh was recognized as NAESP’s National Distinguished Principal for California. Dr. Huh holds a doctorate from University of La Verne, a masters from Cal State Fullerton, and bachelors from UC San Diego.
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Dr. Kong currently serves as the Director of Curriculum and Assessment for Instructional Services in RUSD. In his 17 years he has served as a teacher, Staff Development Specialist, Instructional Services Specialist, Coordinator, and Interim Principal. He is a certified Google Innovator, Education Trainer, and grant award winner for the Google CS4HS grant. He provides professional development for Code.org and was appointed by the California Department of Education to serve on the California Computer Science Standards Advisory Committee to help develop statewide K-12 Computer Science Content Standards. Dr. Kong has presented nationally at CUE, iNACOL, CETPA, ISTE, and CSforALL. He believes instructional technology can be a powerful lever to provide equitable learning opportunities for all students to close achievement gaps.
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