Courtesy photo
Wave Staff Report
LYNWOOD — Shawna Dinkins, the deputy superintendent of educational services for the Lynwood Unified School District, has been recognized as the Association of California School Administrators Region 14 Curriculum and Instruction Administrator of the Year, an award that honors exceptional leadership across 24 school districts, college districts and universities in Los Angeles County.
“Shawna Dinkins exemplifies the very best in educational leadership,” Lynwood Unified Superintendent Gudiel R. Crosthwaite said. “Her vision, dedication and relentless pursuit of equity and excellence have profoundly transformed the district, and her impact resonates across our community.”
Dinkins’ commitment to student success and years of leadership have elevated the district to new heights, establishing it as a model for equity and excellence. Under her watch, Vista High School was named a Model Continuation School; Cesar Chavez and Hosler Middle Schools were recognized as Schools to Watch and Lynwood High School earned a spot on the College Board AP Honor Roll, with 70% of its class of 2024 taking AP courses.
She also is credited with securing a $24.4 million grant to transform all schools into community schools, establishing the African American and Pacific Islander parent advisory councils, boosting special education and English learner graduation rates by 6%, launching the Lynwood Job Opportunities for Youth program to provide foster youth with career experience and implementing a social-emotional framework with dedicated specialists.
Dinkins will be recognized during the Association of California School Administrators Awards Dinner on May 1.
