A regional organization representing 25 Bay Area school districts and 158,000 students has named Portola Valley School District Superintendent Roberta Zarea as "Superintendent of the Year" for San Mateo and San Francisco counties.
The award celebrates "leaders who put students first and advocate on their behalf, who draw upon the passion and talent of others to develop a shared vision for education, and who build strong consensus and have a commitment to action," according to a district press release. ACSA Region 5 comprises the 25 school districts in San Francisco and San Mateo counties, with over 300 schools.
Zarea, who became the district's top leader in 2019, has "led the district through some of the most challenging times in public education in this country," the press release states.
Zarea helped bring students at the district's two schools (Ormondale and Corte Madera) back to campus last school year, earlier than many other school districts in the Bay Area and state.
"Superintendent Zarea leads the district with integrity, passion, and fortitude," the press release states. "Zarea is beloved by her colleagues and by her partners in the community. "
Zarea has also overseen ongoing $49.5 million bond measure construction projects at Ormondale and Corte Madera schools.
Zarea served as assistant superintendent of education services for the Saratoga Unified School District from 2013 to 2019. Before her role as assistant superintendent, Zarea served as a principal, vice principal, coordinator of special projects, and elementary school teacher in San Jose's Union School District, according to a district press release.
Zarea, originally from Michigan, earned a bachelor's degree in Russian language and literature from the University of Michigan. She also has a master's degree in elementary education from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro and a master's in educational leadership from San Jose State University.
Zarea will receive the award at the ACSA Celebration of Leadership event in spring 2022.
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