Heber vice principal awarded
Administrator of the Year
Being awarded for her administrative work was both a humbling and surprising experience for Cynthia Silva, vice principal at Dogwood Elementary School in Heber.
“I was very shocked, it’s not something that you’re not working towards. You just do your job and hope that you’re doing the best that you can,” said Silva.
On April 28, the vice principal was awarded by the Association of California School Administrators at the Region 18 Administrator of the Year awards ceremony.
Silva was recognized as the ACSA Administrator of the Year in the Elementary Co-Administrator category for her work done in the Heber Elementary School District, which she has proudly been a part of for 23 years.
“Cynthia is kind and compassionate and she will do whatever is necessary to make sure that students feel safe and cared for in our district. Our teachers and staff rely on her heavily in maintaining an environment that is safe, nurturing and secure. Her dedication to building the capacity of teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors and site administrators has allowed our district to better serve our most vulnerable students,” said HESD Superintendent Juan Cruz. “The HESD Board of Trustees, Administration,
Teachers and Staff are all very proud of Ms. Silva’s recognition.”
Through the vice principal’s leadership, the school district has successfully implemented many changes to improve school safety and student support.
In her third year as assistant principal, Silva continues to work closely with parents and teachers regarding discipline and safety in the classroom.
Formerly serving as a kindergarten and first grade teacher at the school, the Administrator of the Year winner has unique style in her administrative work.
“My goal was not to become a vice principal, it just happened,” recalled the vice principal, who uses her teaching experience in every decision she makes.
Instructions and standards taught in the classroom always interested Silva during her time has a teacher, although she did not want to compromise her love for working with students.
She saw the switch to administration as the perfect opportunity to oversee what goes on in a classroom and still work with the students in it.
Even after her title change, taking the time to talk with students on campus about matters other than discipline is something Silva continues to love doing.
I was very shocked, it’s something that you’re not working towards. You just do your job and hope that you’re doing the best that you can,” Cynthia Silva, vice principal at Dogwood Elementary School in Heber
“They all have a story to tell, we just need to take the time to listen to them,” explained the vice principal on the importance of communicating with students.
Her recent administrative