Lighthouse Awards
The San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) is celebrating San Diego County equity champions in the community and the classroom with the Lighthouse Awards presented to honorees at the 2024 Equity Conference.
A lighthouse helps guide navigation and often provides a beacon of hope as we sail through potentially rough waters. Our challenges may be financial, personal, business, or spiritual in nature. The lighthouse metaphor speaks of safety and security in the face of adversity and challenge in a unique way.
The SDCOE Lighthouse Awards are given annually to people who are beacons in the educational community by channeling and leading others in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
This year, in recognition of the equity work being done across the country, we have added a category to recognize an equity champion outside of San Diego County.
Nominations are now open
Use this form to nominate someone for the Excellence in School Site Leadership, Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Excellence in Student Support, Equity Champion, No Place for Hate Leader, Student Equity Leadership, and Equity Excellence (out of county) awards.
Nominees should actively promote the concept of diversity, equity, and inclusion by positively enhancing or contributing to the overall environment and achievement of students.
The deadline for nomination submissions is Dec. 1.
Award Categories
- Excellence in School Site Leadership award goes to a school administrator who fosters and leads equitable outcomes for all learners and has been a beacon of light for an entire community.
- Builds on students’ languages and cultures, and celebrate the strengths, gifts, and talents
- Increases positive representation
- Shares power intentionally with parents and communities
- Excellence in Teaching and Learning award is for a classroom teacher who embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion and has helped achieve positive social and academic outcomes for all students.
- Highlights and honors the contributions of all cultures
- Ensures positive representation in the classroom and curriculum
- Cultivates a restorative, student-centered classroom culture
- Excellence in Student Support award goes to a school counselor, social worker, nurse, school psychologist, paraprofessional, or others who actively supports all students, in pursuit of academic and/or social emotional excellence.
- Serves, inspires, and empowers through their own examples
- Implements and sustains positive changes that benefit those they serve
- Creates equitable access with consistently strong outcomes for all students, paying special attention to the needs of historically marginalized populations
- Equity Champion award is presented to a district administrator who encompasses the light necessary for people to come together and create multiple opportunities for all students and families in pursuit of equitable outcomes.
- Serves, inspires, and empowers through their own examples
- Implements and sustains positive changes that benefit those they serve
- Creates equitable access with consistently strong outcomes for all students, paying special attention to the needs of historically marginalized populations
- The No Place for Hate® Leader award goes to an active staff member of their school’s No Place for Hate® committee and demonstrates leadership in their role on the committee and throughout the school community. This person embodies the values laid out in ADL's No Place for Hate® pledge and has continued to put the commitment of No Place for Hate® at the forefront of their school community even in these challenging times.
- Builds a learning community of inclusivity, respect and equity
- Uses the power of peer influence for good
- Challenges bias and bullying
- Student Equity Leadership award goes to an individual student or student group who advances diversity, equity, and inclusion, and has led meaningful and significant equity initiatives in their school community.
- Creates intentional spaces for students to engage in and lead dialogue, solve problems, and learn together about issues of equity
- Participates in healthy feedback loops between students and adults
- Increases understanding and honors the identities and cultures of students
- Equity Excellence (out of San Diego County) award goes to a teacher, administrator, support staff whose work exemplifies excellence in creating access and opportunities for all students.
- Highlights and honors the contributions of all cultures
- Implements and sustains positive changes that benefit those they serve
- Creates equitable access with consistently strong outcomes for all students, paying special attention to the needs of historically marginalized populations
Criteria:
Nominees should actively promote the concept of diversity, equity, and inclusion by positively enhancing or contributing to the overall environment and achievement of students.