The Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 7 recently announced their winners of the Administrator of the Year awards for Region 7.

Three recipients from Ceres Unified School District (CUSD) are:

• Sinclear Elementary Assistant Principal Maggie Hartung has been selected as “Elementary Co-Administrator of the Year.”

• Matthew Hutsell selected the “Middle Grades Principal of the Year.”

• Sharon Carter has been awarded in the “Director of MTSS” award.

In addition, Mary La Rosa, principal of Emilie J. Ross Middle School in Hughson, was honored as a “Secondary Principal of the Year.”

Maggie Hartung

Sinclear Elementary Assistant Principal Maggie Hartung has been selected as “Elementary Co-Administrator of the Year.”

She was hired by Ceres Unified as a special education teacher in 2012 and two years later became an elementary school teacher. In 2021 she became assistant principal of Sinclear Elementary.

“I am truly honored and grateful to be recognized as Co-Administrator of the Year,” said Hartung. “This award is a testament to the incredible teamwork and dedication of those I have the privilege to work alongside every day, not only at Sinclear Elementary, but with all the wonderful staff at Ceres Unified School District.”

Matthew Hutsell

Matthew Hutsell, the principal of Blaker-Kinser Junior High in Ceres since 2021, has been recognized as the “Middle Grades Principal of the Year.” He started with CUSD as a Whitmore Charter Schools social studies teacher in 2013 and became assistant principal in 2017, later taking on the same position at Mae Hensley Junior High School.

“It is an honor to be recognized,” said Hutsell. “I was shocked when I learned I was nominated. There are so many deserving administrators in our school district, Stanislaus County, and ACSA region 7 who work hard on behalf of students every day and would be deserving of this award.”

He said he owes “so much to our district administrators who are exceptional at preparing and supporting principals to deal with the challenges of the role. I am especially thankful for my co-administrators at Blaker-Kinser for all that they do to promote student and teacher success. I am deeply grateful for this recognition that reflects not just my individual efforts, but the collective dedication and support of an entire community committed to the success of our students.”

Sharon Carter

Sharon Carter, Ceres Unified School District’s Student Services Administrator, has been awarded in the “Director of MTSS” award.

Carter started as a teacher with CUSD in 1994 and moved into leadership in 2008. She has served in a variety of administrative positions and has been the director of MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) since 2021.

“I’m truly honored and humbled to be recognized as Student Support Administrator of the Year. This award reflects the hard work and collaboration of our incredible team of district and school leaders.”

She said the team has built a MTSS that “ensures every student receives the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support they need to succeed.

“I’m proud of the progress we’ve made in meeting the needs of all learners in Ceres and grateful for the opportunity to make a lasting impact on our students.”

Mary La Rosa

Mary La Rosa, the principal of Emilie J. Ross Middle School in Hughson, was honored as a “Secondary Principal of the Year.” She is a product of the Hughson education system and graduated from Hughson High School in 1990. Six years later she was hired as an English and ELD teacher.

“I was very honored at the nomination by my district and shocked at I was picked as the winner,” said La Rosa. “This is my 29th year at HUSD. I was a classroom teacher for 24 years before accepting the position as principal. I have a great staff who helped me with my enormous learning curve the past few years.  I love my school, staff and appreciate my bosses who continue to support me during the highs and lows. This award is a reflection of many people and the work we do day and day out for our students.”

Recipients will be honored at ACSA’s annual Spring Conference on May 2 at the Margaritaville Resort in South Lake Tahoe.

The Association of California School Administrators was established in 1971, and is the largest umbrella organization for school leaders in the nation, serving more than 16,000 school leaders throughout California.

ACSA Region 7 encompasses Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Amador, Calaveras and Tuolumne counties.