SBCSS News and Press Releases

Nagel Receives Distinguished Service Award

2010-04-27

VICTORVILLE - Sharon Nagel, who has spent 39 years as a teacher, counselor and administrator in the Central School District, is the recipient of the 2010 Distinguished Service Award.

Nagel was honored at the San Bernardino County School Boards Association spring meeting on April 26 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Victorville as the 20th Distinguished Service Award recipient.

Established in 1998, the San Bernardino County Distinguished Service Award celebrates exceptional and distinguished service sustained over many years. The purpose of the award is to recognize dedication and leadership on behalf of public education in San Bernardino County. Recipients are those who have been willing to take risks to improve educational opportunities for students; have had broad community involvement; have been willing to speak out on issues that have an impact on children; and have the respect of their peers. Up to two recipients may be selected annually.

For Nagel, she has spent the last six of her 39 years in the Central School District as the superintendent. Starting as a teacher in 1971 at Cucamonga Junior High School, Nagel has seen the district more than double in the number of schools while its student population has grown from about 1,500 students to more than 5,000 today.

Her dedication and commitment to providing outstanding leadership to the district, its students and staff, as well as in the community of Rancho Cucamonga, are hallmarks of her distinguished career with the Central School District.

"Sheri's inspirational leadership has led to five of Central's seven school being named California Distinguished Schools. Sheri is the 'heart and soul' of the Central School District," wrote Steven Godwin, president of the Central Board of Education, in nominating Nagel for the county's Distinguished Service Award.

Nagel's core belief is that the quality of education for all students is a direct result of the district's shared vision for each student's success combined with a high-quality, well-trained staff working together to meet students' needs. With this as a goal, Nagel employs current research, as well as innovative models for success, to enhance educational programs for Central students.

While Nagel maintains her strong leadership role, it's her personal touch and effervescent personality that resonate with employees across the district. Whether she's chatting with kitchen aides at Ruth Musser Middle School, teachers at Valle Vista or parents at PTA function, Nagel is on a first-name basis with everyone.

As a strong advocate for public schools, Nagel has been a leader in the community as a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club and SchoolsFirst Advisory Board, as well as a participant with the City of Rancho Cucamonga's Strategic Planning Committee. She also has had a longtime affiliation with the Rancho Cucamonga City Library, serving as a board of trustee member for the past five years.

Nagel's history with the district started in the classroom as a teacher and grew as she took roles as counselor, principal, district administrator in personnel and then as assistant superintendent of Educational Services before she became Central's superintendent six years ago. After 39 years serving the district, Nagel plans to retire this year in June, but her educational legacy will continue. "Sheri is highly visible in all of her schools and community, bringing with her a transparency that endears her to others, gaining both trust and respect," Godwin said.

The Distinguished Service Award competition is co-sponsored by the San Bernardino County School Boards Association, the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, the San Bernardino County Committee on School District Organization, and the Fifth District PTA.

Past recipients are: Dr. Herbert Fischer (2009), superintendent (retired), San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools; Don Averill (2008), chancellor (retired), San Bernardino Community College District; Janey Kozlowski (2008), legislative analyst (retired), San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools; Wilmer Amina Carter (2007), board member (retired), Rialto Unified; Dr. Wayne Ruble (2007), board member (retired), Fontana Unified; Kathleen Campbell (2006), board member (retired), Bear Valley Unified; Dr. Theodore Vick (2005), member (retired), County Board of Education; Dr. Sonja Yates (2004), superintendent (retired), Central School District; Irene M. Newton (2003), superintendent (retired), Rialto Unified; Joan R. Weiss (2003), board member, Central School District; Dr. John Preston Miller (2002), board member (retired), County Board of Education; Dr. Russell R. Reynolds (2002), superintendent (retired), Bear Valley Unified; Dorothy Gibson (2001), board member (retired), County Board of Education; Ann Davis-Schultz (2001), learning support/grants coordinator, Redlands Unified; Ray Abril, Jr., (2000), board member (retired), Colton Joint Unified; Barbara Phelps (1999), board member (retired), Redlands Unified; Dr. E. Neal Roberts (1999), superintendent (retired), San Bernardino City Unified; Brenda Boss (1998), board member (retired), Bear Valley Unified; and Dr. Loren Sanchez (1998), superintendent (retired), Upland Unified.