The Mayor's Principal of the Year Award is an annual award that recognizes outstanding San Francisco public school principals for their dedication, professionalism, and work on behalf of our City's young people. The awardees were selected based on their outstanding ability to promote student achievement, accountability, and equity and access in the classroom and school site.

Please click here to view photos of our awardees!

2016-2017

Jane Mancina, Principal, Junipero Serra Annex Early Education School and Zaida T. Rodriguez Early Education School
Anastasia Shattner, Principal, Tenderloin Community Elementary School
Jason Hannon, Principal, Aptos Middle School
Ellen Wong, Principal, Downtown High School

Jane Mancina, Principal, Junipero Serra Annex Early Education School and Zaida T. Rodriguez Early Education School

Jane Mancina has a 35 year history of providing Leadership to schools for young children. She was a college instructor of Child Development before coming to SFUSD in 1995. In her 21 years in SFUSD she has served as a literacy coach and mentor and administrated schools with many dual language and second language learners promoting communication skills in students and continuous development for all children and adults.

Anastasia Shattner, Principal, Tenderloin Community Elementary School

Anastasia, an educator for over 30 years, has created a learning community in which all members work together to foster academic excellence. She focuses on building critical thinkers through an integrated, hands-on curriculum while fostering the joy of learning. She is tireless in her efforts to address and mitigate barriers to achievement for the 93% of her students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. Anastasia has developed partnerships that have resulted in her school becoming a hub for dental care, health, and social services. Whenever students at her school see her, they give her a hug or high-five. 

Jason Hannon, Principal, Aptos Middle School

Jason is a San Francisco native and graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School.  After earning his B.A. in Community Studies from the UC Santa Cruz, Jason embarked on his journey as an urban public school educator when he returned to Lincoln to serve as a special education paraprofessional aide and assistant wrestling coach.  Twelve years later, Jason has ascended the ranks in his hometown having served as a special education teacher at Ida B. Wells Continuation High School, assistant principal, and now principal of Aptos Middle School.  A lifelong martial artist, Jason has continued his studies and teachings in jiujitsu and recently co-founded the San Francisco Police Activities League's inaugural jiujitsu program through which he voluntarily coaches youth from across the city.

Ellen Wong, Principal, Downtown High School

Ellen Wong has been principal at Downtown High School for the last five years. Prior to becoming principal, she served as assistant principal, Instructional Reform Facilitator, and a teacher at Downtown High School. Ellen earned a Master’s in Education from SFSU and then a teaching credential in vocational education. After serving for several years as a teacher she stepped into the role of Instructional Reform Facilitator.

2015-2016

2015-2016 Mayor's Principal of the Year Award Press Release

Lindsey Keener, Principal, San Francisco Public Montessori Elementary School
Jean Robertson, Principal, Glen Park Elementary School
Carline Sinkler, Principal, Herbert Hoover Middle School
Julie Kessler, Principal, San Francisco International High School

Lindsey Keener, Principal, San Francisco Public Montessori Elementary School
Lindsey started as a teacher in Phoenix, Arizona, teaching 6th and then 3rd grade for 10 years. Drawn to the Bay Area, she moved to San Francisco and became an Instructional Reform Facilitator, and later a principal for several schools in the City. In 2013, Lindsey became the principal of the only public Montessori school in the Bay Area serving PreK- 5th grade. Her passions include traveling Southeast Asia, yoga, and dance and music performances.

Jean Robertson, Principal, Glen Park Elementary School
Jean was previously a Supervisor in the Special Education Department and the Principal at Grattan Elementary School. She taught 1st, 7th and 8th grade in her 12 years of classroom experience. Jean serves as an advisor to the board of Access Institute and as President of the United Administrators of San Francisco. Jean is a committed champion of all her students and teachers and works to ensure equitable, harmonious and inclusive practices in her school.

Carline Sinkler, Principal, Herbert Hoover Middle School
Before coming to Hoover, Carline earned her B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and taught math and science at Everett and Roosevelt Middle Schools. She then supported math professional learning for teachers and completed her M.A. in Math Education. She plays a key role in SFUSD’s innovation initiatives including the iLab and Design Challenges. Carline’s approach to leadership follows her father’s example as an engineer – always observing, designing, and creating new possibilities for her students.

Julie Kessler, Principal, San Francisco International High School
Julie has spent the past thirteen years working in public high schools serving recently arrived immigrant youth in New York City, Oakland, and San Francisco. She fosters a school community driven by student need, distributed leadership, collaboration, and empathy. Julie is awed by how much motivation and drive her students bring to school every day, and by how hard her teachers and students work to support each other.

2014-2015

Mayor's Teacher and Principal of the Year Award Press Release

Candace D. Lee, Site Administrator, Noriega Early Education School
Sophie Lee, Principal, Sunset Elementary School
Kennith Lee, Principal, Francisco Middle School
Barnaby Payne, Principal, Abraham Lincoln High School

Candace D. Lee, Site Administrator, Noriega Early Education School
Candace is proud to be a fourth generation San Franciscan who has attended public school at Spring Valley Elementary School, C. Stockton Elementary School, Sherman Elementary School, Francisco Middle School, and Lowell High School. Her career in early education has spanned 41 years serving as a Head Start/ State Preschool/Infant Toddler teacher, Site Director, Education Coordinator, and the last 18 years as a SFUSD Site Administrator in Early Education. Her passion has always been to educate young children and to provide high quality care. She has been blessed with a long career working with children and their families and being supported by dedicated staff and her family.

Sophie Lee, Principal, Sunset Elementary School
Sophie has been a dedicated educator for forty years and currently is the proud principal of Sunset Elementary School. Growing up in Chinatown and the daughter of Chinese immigrants, her aspirations to be an educator grew out of strong family values emphasizing the importance of education. She fosters a school culture where all students are accepted, encouraged and challenged, parents are involved and collaborate, and the teachers feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. She is passionate about public education and has created an inclusive school community that is caring and nurturing, and where joyful learning occurs every day.

Kennith Lee, Principal, Francisco Middle School
A third generation San Franciscan, Ken grew up in the North Beach-Chinatown neighborhood and is a graduate of Francisco Middle School's class of 1968. He also attended Jean Parker and Washington Irving Elementary Schools and Lowell High School. This is his fourth year as principal after serving the previous five years as the assistant principal. He has also worked as a teacher, counselor, and dean at various schools within SFUSD. His goal is to make Francisco "The Best Middle School in San Francisco" by providing strong academics and comprehensive services for students and families.

Barnaby Payne, Principal, Abraham Lincoln High School
Barnaby is a Noe Valley native who attended Commodore Stockton, Alvarado and Edison Elementary schools, Everett Middle School, and Lowell High School. He is an Eagle Scout from The City's Troop 14. He is in his nineteenth year as a teacher and administrator in SFUSD. His mother is equally proud of his brothers Tony, Principal of Presidio Middle School and Nick, Firefighter for SFFD. Barnaby resides in the Ingleside with his spouse and children and plans to be principal at Lincoln, "forever."

2013-2014

Mayor's Teacher and Principal of the Year Award Ceremony Press Release

Ivy Ng, Site Administrator, Argonne and Commodore Stockton Early Education Schools
Rosina Tong, Principal, Chinese Immersion School at De Avila
Michael Reimer, Principal, Theodore Roosevelt Middle School
Eric Guthertz, Principal, Mission High School

Ivy Ng, Site Administrator, Argonne and Commodore Stockton Early Education Schools
Ivy Ng has been a school site administrator in early education since 2008. With a lifelong passion for teaching and a firm belief that the classroom should foster a safe and fun learning experience for students, Ivy inspires her staff to facilitate classroom activities that actively engages the young learners. She also encourages and guides other administrators to cultivate high quality learning environments through her role as a Director Mentor in the California Early Childhood Mentor Program. Ivy's dream is to one day provide easy access to high quality education for children living in areas of extreme poverty in China.

Rosina Tong, Principal, Chinese Immersion School at De Avila
Rosina Tong began her career as a paraprofessional in 1990. Since that time, she has served as a Chinese bilingual classroom teacher and, more recently, the founding principal of the Chinese Immersion School at De Avila. Ms. Tong nurtures an educational experience where students are encouraged to persevere and strive for excellence. Her focus is not simply on academics, but the physical, social, and emotional well-being of the students, families, and school community. Ms. Tong exemplifies leadership through clarity, consistency, equity, and focus on a forward, positive direction. She attributes her success to her own mother and father and strives to provide the same for her three children and all the students that she works with in SFUSD.

Michael Reimer, Principal, Theodore Roosevelt Middle School
Michael just completed his 20th year working in public schools. Prior to becoming an administrator, he served as a mathematics teacher, with positions in Japan, Canada and the United States. After joining the San Francisco Unified School District, he worked as an Assistant Principal at the high school level, and currently serves as Principal of Roosevelt Middle School. In 2012, he completed his doctoral dissertation on algebra instruction at high schools in San Francisco. Michael and his wife Katherine are celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary later this summer.

Eric Guthertz, Principal, Mission High School
A Bay Area native, Eric Guthertz earned his Bachelor Degree in English Literature and a Masters Degree in Education from the University of California at Los Angeles. He began his teaching career over twenty five years ago as an 8th grade English and ESL teacher in East Los Angeles. Returning to the Bay Area, Eric created and directed The Bill Wilson School, in San Jose, Ca. a comprehensive high school for homeless and runaway teens in the Bay Area. Thirteen years ago, Eric began teaching English at Mission High School. During these past years Eric has been the English Department Chair, Assistant Principal, and currently Principal. Guthertz completed the Stanford Principal’s Fellowship Program, and was a recipient of the 2013 Dream Catcher Award for his support of arts education.

2012-2013

Dr. E’leva Gibson, Site Administrator at Tule Elk Park Early Education School and Transitional Kindergarten Supervisor
Mr. William Lucey, West Portal Elementary School
Mr. Doug Dent, Aptos Middle School
Ericka Lovrin, George Washington High School

Dr. E’leva Gibson, Site Administrator at Tule Elk Park Early Education School and Transitional Kindergarten Supervisor
Dr. E’leva Hughes Gibson joined the San Francisco Unified School District faculty in 2000. She is currently the site administrator for Tule Elk Park Early Education School and serves on the Early Education Department (EED) team for establishing the new Transitional Kindergarten (TK) grade level. Working with the youngest of learners, she has been afforded the opportunity to support the foundational development skills of students, build systems that align PreK-12th grade expectations, provide equitable educational opportunities for 21st century learning, and promote teaching the “whole child.” As a product of the SFUSD and a native San Franciscan, she is familiar with the experiences of urban youth and is committed to the core values of the district to promote access, equity, and social justice. This year at Tule Elk Park EES, she has worked with her dedicated staff, parent group, and community partners to raise over $50,000 to sustain the eco-literacy program, build a partnership with The Plant Café restaurant to use herbs from the school garden, and promote early literacy.

Mr. William Lucey, West Portal Elementary School
William is a native San Franciscan and is from a large family with seven sisters and two brothers. His father, Jim, and his sisters, Julia and Abbie, inspired him to pursue a career in education. After receiving credentials at SF State, he began his teaching career as a fourth and fifth grade teacher. In 2003, he started his present position as Principal of West Portal School, which is the neighborhood he grew up in as a child. William is appreciative of his wonderful staff at West Portal who has been instrumental in his growth as a principal as well as the LEAD office and fellow principals for their support over the past 10 years. Most importantly, he would like to thank his wife, Beth, for the incredible support she has provided him over the years.

Mr. Doug Dent, Aptos Middle School
Doug was born in San Jose and grew up in Concord, CA. After receiving a MBA from University of Utah, he worked as an Industrial Engineer for US Steel in Pittsburg, CA, discharged as Lieutenant in US Navy, worked as a Health Science Budget Analyst for the University of California Office of the President at UC Davis, then at the Sacramento Medical Center, and later on, moved into hospital administration culminating as Chief Executive Officer of Doctors Medial Center Modesto. Doug began his teaching career at San Joaquin County Office of Education while acquiring his teaching credential. He was then hired by James Taylor as math and science teacher at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Academic Middle School and worked with fellow awardee, Dr. E’leva Hughes Gibson. Afterwards, he became Assistant Principal at Aptos Middle School in 2006, which he was hired by fellow awardee, Ericka Lovrin. In 2010, Doug became Principal of Aptos Middle School. He has found that being a principal has been the most difficult and rewarding of all of his endeavors. He is married to Dale Silvey of Chicago. They have 10 grandchildren, four step-grandkids, and they agree on everything except baseball, football, basketball, and hockey teams.

Ericka Lovrin, George Washington High School
Ericka’s 5th and 6th grade teachers helped her to realize that she wanted to be a teacher. Through their passion, she wanted to be able to teach others and see the light in a child’s eye when they learned something new or help them overcome a challenging problem. Ericka decided to become a principal because she wanted to work with students, teachers, parents and community members to build quality schools in San Francisco. She has been fortunate to be a part of adding to the traditions of such great schools as Lincoln High School as an Assistant Principal; Aptos Middle School as the Principal and now the Principal of George Washington High School. As a principal, she enjoys floating an idea to the faculty and watching as the idea catches on and positively impacts the lives of students. Ericka’s goal has always been to be a teacher inside and outside of the classroom and to assist students on their educational journey.

2011-2012

Alan V. Broussard, Executive Director, Early Education Department
Carol L. Fong, Principal, Ulloa Elementary School
James S. Dierke, Principal, Visitacion Valley Middle School
Andrew W. Ishibashi, Principal, Lowell High School

2010-2011

James D. Fithian, San Francisco Court Schools
JoLynn Washington, Jowe Ortega Elementary School
David Wong, Francis Scott Key, Elementary School

James D. Fithian, San Francisco Court Schools 
Mr. Fithian has been an outstanding advocate for our most ‘at risk’ students. He began his career in San Francisco Unified School District as a substitute music teacher, and discovered his passion for working with students in court schools. After proving to be a dedicated and effective principal, Mr. Fithian has decided go back to the classroom and teach at Log Cabin this coming school year so that he can help students in a more hands on capacity.

JoLynn Washington, Jose Ortega Elementary School
As principal of Jose Ortega Elementary School, JoLynn Washington emphasizes a culture of service. Ms. Washington initiated the Mandarin Immersion program to enrich the learning experiences of the diverse population of students. Jose Ortega also offers students the opportunity to participate in community garden and greening projects, as well as various social awareness drives. Principal Washington ensures her students have access to after school programs and extracurricular activities such as a monthly book club. Her effective leadership is evident in the vast progress Jose Ortega has made on both an academic and community level.

David Wong, Francis Scott Key Elementary School 
Mr. Wong has been the principal of Francis Scott Key for many years. His commitment to the school ranges from opening the schoolyard on the weekends to the public, to initiating a food pantry so that families have access to nutritious meals. Francis Scott Key’s motto, "Building Healthy Minds and Bodies," is promoted through various programs that support student emotional and physical well-being. Students have the opportunity to participate in multiple instrumental and dance programs, along with physical activities and after school programs. As a result of Principal Wong’s extraordinary leadership, Francis Scott Key is a seven-time winner of the Title I Academic Achievement Award.

2009-2010

Mr. Raul Erazo-Chavez, Bryant Child Development Center
Ms. Sara Shenkan-Rich, Sherman Elementary School
Ms. Judith Giampaoli, Francisco Middle School
Mr. William Kappenhagen, Phillip and Sala Burton Academic High School

2008-2009

Zaida Rodriguez, Bryant CDC and Mission CDC Sandra Leigh Milk, Civil Rights Academy
Diane Panagotacos, Roosevelt Middle School
Ronald Pang, Lincoln High School