2 minute read
Gina Sudaria Takes On
from El Ravenswood 2020
Gina Sudaria Takes On Superintendent Mantle
Advertisement
Superintendent
Sudaria, Gina Sudaria, Gina Hernandez-Goff, Gloria Meza-De La Vega, Maria Law, LaDawn Gonella, Floyd Mae-Knight, Charlie Appointment date 07/01/2020 2/28/2019 9/1/2013 7/1/2005 6/1/2004 1/1/2003 10/10/1985
Title
Superintendent Interim Superintendent Superintendant Superintendant Superintendant Superintendent Superintendant
Departure Date
Years of Service
1.3 5.5 8.0 1.1 1.5 17.3
In what some may call an expected decision, on March 28, the Ravenswood City School
District Board, after interviewing an unknown number of candidates, selected Gina Sudaria as the fifth superintendent of the district in the last 18 years following the long tenure of Dr. Charlie Mae Knight who left the district after almost two decades of service.
The new superintendent faces the challenges of a rapidly declining student population and a teacher attrition-rate that experts assert is detrimental to student outcomes
On April 16, the Education Board granted Ms. Sudaria a two-year $185,000-a-year contract beginning on July 1. A 21-year veteran of the District, Ms. Sudaria has served as a teacher, a vice principal, principal and director of student services. She was appointed Interim Superintendent following the departure of Gloria Hernandez-Goff in March last year.
In that 21-year period, she has served under five superintendents as an intern, teacher, vice-principal- principal, Human Resources Director, Director of Student Services and Interim Superintendent.
GINA SUDARIA Hometown: Santa Ana
Schooling: Park Private Day School, Santa Ana; Newport Harbor High School, Costa Mesa
Fun Fact: (Besides being a jock, was the first black homecoming queen and crowned my sister, Cara HeadsSlaughter, the following year)
College: Stanford University BA in Psychology, Minor in Afro and African American Studies; California State University – East Bay M.S. Educational Leadership and Administration
Family: Married to David Sudaria, Children: Daughters Ashlee, Sydney, and Hannah and son: Elijah
Why She became Superintendent. When I started education career, I did not aspire to become a Superintendent. I became an educator because of my love to encourage and empower. Little did I know that the community I thought I was serving was providing me the greatest service, giving me purpose and life. My young adult and professional years were groomed right here in East Palo Alto and the Belle Haven community in Menlo Park. I have drawn so many lessons along the way in my various leadership roles. This community has taught me that there are leaders amongst leaders and together we can meet the needs of our students if we have a shared vision and plan. So, when the opportunity presented itself last year to serve as interim superintendent and to pursue the permanent superintendent role, there was no doubt that I viewed it as an opportunity to give back to what has already been given to me tenfold.
Favorite Memory of the District. One of the most memorable moments for me was when one of our 8th grade students, who was Spanish speaking only when he arrived as a 5th grade student, was selected to join a handful of students to interview His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, who was visiting the District, The student excelled and I was too overwhelmed with joy to remember what was said.
Superintendent Sudaria’s history in the District • April 2019- June 30,2020,
Interim Superintendent • August 2018- March 2019,
Director of Students Services • July 2016- July 2018, Director of Human Resources • August 2008- June 2016,
Teacher, Belle Haven School
