Program Overview
In celebration of AVID's 45th anniversary, AVID is launching the Annual Global Achievement Awards. These awards will recognize a select group of individuals for their contributions to education, and to AVID. These individuals will be identified and celebrated through eight prestigious awards:
- District Leader of the Year
- Staff Developer of the Year
- Counselor of the Year
- Elementary Principal of the Year
- Secondary Principal of the Year
- Elementary Teacher of the Year
- Secondary Teacher of the Year
- AVID Site Team of the Year
Awards Presentation and Recognition:
- Finalists will be celebrated at individual AVID sites/districts and at the AVID Summer Institutes 2025.
- Winners will be announced and honored at the AVID National Conference 2025.
Skip Ahead to See Eligibility Criteria for Each Category
Jodie Kuleck Peters
Alexandria City Public Schools AVID District Director
Jodie Kuleck Peters is the AVID District Director for Alexandria City Public Schools and currently resides in Alexandria, VA. She has worked for Alexandria City Public Schools for the past twenty-five years after spending her first five years teaching in Baltimore, Maryland. Her roles in ACPS include being one of the first inaugural instructional coaches hired to support middle school literacy in 2001. She has been the division-level International Baccalaureate Program Coordinator, as well as the AVID District Coordinator, for the past fifteen of the sixteen years of the ACPS partnership, where she leads AVID Elementary, AVID Secondary, and AVID Excel programming. Her education includes undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Towson University, George Mason University, and Harvard. In her role, she also serves in various capacities with AVID Center, including staff developer, Community of Practice Writer and subject matter Expert, and most recently, as a new AVID Ambassador. "Being asked to take on AVID fifteen years ago was the best opportunity of my life, and I still love it as much today as I did back then!"
James Sheldahl
Yuma Elementary DO
James Sheldahl is the Superintendent of Yuma Elementary School District #1 in Yuma, Arizona. Over the past 38 years, he has taught middle school and high school English, been a high school principal, associate superintendent and superintendent. James has been directly involved with the AVID system since 2006, championing college and career readiness as a high school principal, district director and superintendent. During his tenure as superintendent, Yuma Elementary District #1’s AVID system has become embedded district-wide, growing from five to seventeen schools, including four AVID Schoolwide Sites of Distinction, four AVID Showcase Schools and one National Demonstration Site.
Jay Rudel
Canyons School District
A dedicated educator for 29 years, Jay Rudel has profoundly impacted student success through 16 years of championing the AVID culture across elementary, middle, and high schools. As a site coordinator at two schools, he has built thriving AVID programs that empower both students and teachers. Currently, serving as the AVID Coordinator for Canyons School District, Jay coaches educators across multiple schools, amplifying his influence, and improving teacher effectiveness. His passion for applying WICOR strategies and fostering relational capacity drives his commitment to cultivating a college and career-ready culture for all students. Jay's leadership is instrumental in equipping students with the skills and mindset to achieve their aspirations.
Eric Kinne
Fairfax County Public Schools
Eric Kinne serves as an AVID District Director (DD) in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), a large and diverse school system in Northern Virginia, where he leads strategic AVID implementation to increase access and opportunity for students. Since stepping into the role in 2017, he and his amazing team of fellow DDs have expanded AVID’s impact from 21 to 73 schools, including the addition of 44 Title I elementary sites. A former AVID Coordinator and Elective teacher in FCPS, Eric began his teaching career with Teach For America in the amazing border town of Roma, Texas in the Rio Grande Valley. He’s passionate about educational equity—and also sneakers, cycling, camping, and exploring National Parks with his wife and two kids. Eric is deeply honored and humbled to be a finalist for this award, recognizing his commitment to AVID and student success.
Robin Ilac
El Camino Jr. High
Robin Ilac is a dedicated educator with over 25 years of service, primarily as a social studies teacher. Currently an Instructional Coach at her alma mater, El Camino Junior High School in the Santa Maria Bonita School District, she leverages her academic journey to connect with students and build strong relationships. Deeply committed to her community, Ilac focuses on cultivating teachers and fostering student success. Her work is complemented by her husband, an educator in the same community, as they raise their sons. Her career exemplifies a full circle, returning to invest in the schools that shaped her.
Christy Thiel
Las Palmas Middle School
Christy Thiel has been an educator for 22 years and currently serves as the AVID Coordinator, AVID elective teacher, and 8th-grade English teacher at Las Palmas Middle School in Covina, CA. Seventeen years ago, she became the school’s first AVID elective teacher. Since then, she has seen WICOR and AVID strategies support her growth as an educator, empower her students, align her staff, and transform her site through schoolwide implementation—leading to its validation as an AVID National Demonstration School in 2016.
While Christy loves being in the classroom with her students, she also values the opportunities she has to support adult learners—whether through AVID Showcases and site visits, facilitating Communities of Practice as an AVID Staff Developer, presenting at the AVID National Conference, leading district-level professional development for teachers, instructional aides, and parents, or serving as an induction program mentor for new teachers.
Shannon Harsh
Phoenix Unions Wilson College Prep
Shannon Harsh is a Biology and AVID Elective Teacher and AVID Site Coordinator at Wilson College Prep (Arizona) and Phoenix Union High School District's AVID Co-District Director, finishing her 16th year of teaching. She has a B.A. from Whittier College, an M.Ed. from Arizona State University and has been a National Board-Certified Teacher since 2017. Ms. Harsh loves AVID because of the community, relational capacity and skill building it brings to her students both in AVID Elective and in Biology. She loves seeing students make connections with the content to their lives and other classes. In her free time, Ms. Harsh loves to hike with her pups, practice yoga and watch football
Dr. Faith Kendall
Bookman Road Elementary
With 27 years of experience in elementary education, Faith has dedicated her career to helping young learners grow academically, socially, and emotionally. She strives to create a supportive and engaging environment where every student feels valued and inspired to do their best. In her role as a literacy coach, she strives to encourage and push other educators to be the best versions of themselves. Teaching has always been more than a job to her—it’s a calling and a true passion.
Dr. Faith Kendall
Bookman Road Elementary
Jodie Kuleck Peters is the Alexandria City Public Schools AVID District Director and currently resides in Alexandria, VA. She has worked for Alexandria City Public School for the past twenty-five years after spending her first five years of teaching in Baltimore, Maryland. Her roles in ACPS include being one of the first innagural instructional coaches hired to support middle school literacy in 2001. She has been the division-level International Baccalaureate Program Coordinator as well as the AVID District for the past fifteen of the sixteen years of the ACPS partnership, where she leads AVID Elementry, AVID Secondary, and AVID Excel programming. Her education includes undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Towson University, George Mason University, and Harvard. In her role, she also serves in various capacities with AVID Center, including staff developer, Community of Practice Writer and subject matter Expert, and most recently, as a new AVID Ambassador. "Being asked to take on AVID fifteen years ago was the best opportunity of my life, and I still love it as much today as I did back then!"
Sarah Elmore
Madison East HS
Sarah Elmore has been the AVID School Counselor at Madison East HIgh School since 2014. Prior to being a School Counselor, Sarah taught high school Social Studies at East High School and English in Varna, Bulgaria. Sarah is a graduate of Carleton College in MN and earned her Masters in Counseling from Concordia University. Sarah lives with her husband (Steve) and sons (Wyatt and Clay). When she is not working with her students, Sarah enjoys long distance running, knitting, and outdoor adventures.
Dr. Jose Corado
James Monroe HS
Dr. Jose Corado was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and is a proud product of the Los Angeles Unified School District. He holds a bachelor’s degree from UCLA, a master’s degree in counseling from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from California State University, Los Angeles.
Throughout his career, Dr. Corado has served in a variety of educational roles, including working with UCLA’s Early Academic Outreach Program, launching an afterschool initiative in Memphis, and developing the Student and Family Engagement (SaFE) Program in Palo Alto. He has also taught Psychological Foundations of Education at the college level and has worked as a college counselor at multiple high schools.
Currently, Dr. Corado serves as a school counselor at James Monroe High School, where he proudly supports the AVID program and continues his commitment to student success and equity in education.
Araceli Cuentas
Everett Alvarez HS
Araceli Cuentas is the AVID School Counselor at Everett Alvarez High School in Salinas, CA, where she supports students in navigating college and career pathways. She began her journey in education in 2017 and now also serves as the AVID Site Coordinator—working alongside her former AVID teacher and bringing her story full circle as an AVID alum herself.
This year, Araceli is proud to have supported AVID seniors in achieving 191 college acceptances, securing over $1.5 million in scholarships and grants, and completing nearly 5,000 hours of community service. She is passionate about equity, access, and empowering students to realize their full potential beyond high school.
Sheray McKeown
Rancho San Joaquin MS
Sheray is a dedicated School Counselor and AVID Site Coordinator at Rancho San Joaquin Middle School in Irvine, with over 19 years of experience in education. Her passion for equity, student advocacy, and college and career readiness drives her work every day. As Site Coordinator, she has expanded the use of AVID strategies across the campus and cultivated a strong, student-centered AVID culture. Sheray’s leadership, commitment to professional learning, and unwavering belief in her students have made a profound impact on her school community.
Araceli Cuentas
Everett Alvarez HS
Jodie Kuleck Peters is the Alexandria City Public Schools AVID District Director and currently resides in Alexandria, VA. She has worked for Alexandria City Public School for the past twenty-five years after spending her first five years of teaching in Baltimore, Maryland. Her roles in ACPS include being one of the first innagural instructional coaches hired to support middle school literacy in 2001. She has been the division-level International Baccalaureate Program Coordinator as well as the AVID District for the past fifteen of the sixteen years of the ACPS partnership, where she leads AVID Elementry, AVID Secondary, and AVID Excel programming. Her education includes undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Towson University, George Mason University, and Harvard. In her role, she also serves in various capacities with AVID Center, including staff developer, Community of Practice Writer and subject matter Expert, and most recently, as a new AVID Ambassador. "Being asked to take on AVID fifteen years ago was the best opportunity of my life, and I still love it as much today as I did back then!"
Dr. Tammy Taylor
Great Falls Elementary
Tammy Taylor is a dedicated educator who has committed her life and career to the service of others, spending 28 years in public education in a variety of roles. She currently serves as the principal of Great Falls Elementary School in Chester, South Carolina.
Dr. Taylor is a turnaround principal who has led her school from the depths of school improvement to becoming a semi-finalist for the prestigious Palmetto’s Finest state award and, most recently, a finalist for the AVID Global Achievement Award. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of South Carolina.
A passionate advocate and champion for students around the world, Dr. Taylor is committed to transforming education and changing the trajectory of children’s lives. Her determination and leadership have made her a remarkable force in the field. She is especially passionate about helping other principals navigate the school turnaround process and hosts a free weekly livestream, The REALL Academy, every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time, sponsored by Create and Educate, LLC.
Follow her on YouTube and Facebook at Create and Educate.
Parveen Bains
Luther Elementary
Parveen Bains has been the principal of Luther Elementary School in the Live Oak Unified School District for 13 years, dedicating herself to student success and educational equity. As a proud alumna of the school, she now leads the next generation of students. During her tenure, she implemented and significantly enhanced the AVID program. Parveen is known for fostering a collaborative culture with high expectations, empowering staff and students alike. Her visionary leadership has transformed the learning environment, ensuring all students are prepared for future success.
Kimberly Hutcherson
Center for Achievement
Ms. Kimberly Hutcherson, a native of Sumter, South Carolina, is a distinguished educator, devoted mother of three, and visionary leader in the field of public education. As Principal of the nationally certified Center for Achievement Personalized Learning AVID Magnet in Richland School District Two, in Columbia, South Carolina, she has led transformative efforts that have enriched the lives of countless students and families. An honors graduate of the University of South Carolina and Cambridge College, with postgraduate studies at Dickerson Green Theological Seminary, Ms. Hutcherson exemplifies academic excellence and unwavering commitment to service. She also extends her impact as an adjunct professor at the College of Charleston, preparing the next generation of educators with insight and purpose.
Colleen Perry
Two Rivers Elementary
Renee Kory
Aprenda Middle School
Renee Kory is in her tenth year as Principal of Kyrene Aprende Middle School, a diverse suburban middle school outside of Phoenix, AZ. She has taught 4th grade, 6th grade, and middle school Language Arts. After teaching, Renee worked as a Curriculum Specialist, New Teacher Mentor, and Assistant Principal for eight years in inner city Phoenix before accepting a principalship in the Kyrene School District. During her tenure at Aprende Middle School, her site has been designated an AVID Site of Distinction, an AVID National Demonstration school, an Arizona Schools to Watch, and a model site for the national organization Teacher Powered Schools and for Arizona State University’s Next Generation Workforce (teaming model). Aprende has also been designated an A+ School of Excellence by the Arizona Education Foundation. Renee has served as Kyrene’s Lead Middle School Principal for the last 7 years, mentors aspiring principals, and serves as the middle school principal representative on the district Strategic Planning Team and Meet and Confer. She has also served on AVID’s Principal Council. In 2021, she received the Exemplary Principal Award from the Maricopa County Superintendent’s Office.
Sean Smith
Sage Valley MS
Sean Smith is the principal of Sage Valley Middle School, an AVID National Demonstration School in Idaho. He recently completed his 28th year in education. A married father of five, Sean is also a passionate AVID Staff Developer. He is dedicated to collaborating with fellow educators and learning from experts across the country.
Dr. Trellaney Lane
Creswell MS of the Arts
Dr. Trellaney Lane, with nearly two decades in education, has led Isaiah T. Creswell Middle Magnet School of the Visual and Performing Arts for nine years. Under her leadership, the school has increased enrollment and gained recognition for its innovative arts-integrated curriculum. Named the 2024–2025 MNPS Middle School Principal of the Year, Dr. Lane is celebrated for her commitment to equity and transformative student experiences that lead to students being college and career ready. The school has also earned accolades such as the Tennessee Arts Association Arts Rich School (2024) and Magnet School of America Merit School of Excellence (2025).
Alison Parolo
Baldivis Secondary College
Ali is a passionate educational leader committed to unlocking the potential of every young person, regardless of background or ability. She believes that success, belonging, and self-belief are the greatest gifts educators can offer, and works tirelessly to create inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments where all students feel seen, heard, valued, and able to thrive. As an AVID Staff Developer, she supports teachers and leaders across Australia to implement high-impact strategies that elevate student engagement and learning. Ali also contributes to the future of the profession as an Adjunct Clinical Teacher in the School of Education at Murdoch University.
Matthew Rodney
VanderMolen Elementary
Matthew is an educator, advocate, and AVID alumnus whose journey reflects the very principles he now champions in the classroom. A proud product of alternative education, Matthew began his college and career path after graduating from an alternative high school by enrolling in a trade school program. It was AVID that first taught him how to organize his thinking, ask critical questions, and believe in his future and those same WICOR skills became anchors throughout every stage of his academic and professional life.
Matthew has since earned multiple degrees from renowned institutions, including a master’s from Northwestern University, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Urban Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Instructional Change at the University of Southern California. His success has been shaped not just by traditional measures of achievement, but by alternative pathways, intervention supports, and an unwavering commitment to growth. Once a student receiving speech and learning supports, Matthew now uses his lived experience to empower students who are often overlooked, reminding them that their journey is valid and powerful.
As an AVID Coordinator and ESN (Extensive Support Needs) Teacher in one of California’s largest school districts, Matthew leads schoolwide efforts to embed WICOR strategies in inclusive and accessible ways. His work connects AVID with the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) department to create creative, inquiry-based lessons that reflect the diverse ways students learn and express themselves. From classroom strategies to district-wide systems, Matthew builds structures that reflect what he knows firsthand: success doesn’t follow a single path and every student deserves the tools to forge their own.
Tiffany Adwaters
Shwab Elementary
Tiffany Adwaters is an experienced educator with 15 years in the classroom, including the past three years as a multilingual educator. A proud member of the Shwab Elementary community for 11 years, she currently teaches third and fourth grade, inspiring bright and inquisitive learners each day.
Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Tiffany balances her passion for education with her role as a devoted wife and mother to three sons. She integrates AVID strategies into her instruction to foster a nurturing, inclusive learning environment where all students feel empowered to grow, thrive, and succeed.
Morgan Psalmonds
Upper Lake Elementary
Morgan Psalmonds has been immersed in the AVID program since seventh grade, when she first joined her school’s AVID Club. Her involvement continued throughout high school, where she developed a deep connection to the AVID philosophy. During her junior year, she experienced the program's shift from a focus solely on college readiness to a broader emphasis on both college and career readiness—an evolution that she believes played a pivotal role in preparing her for life beyond high school and college. Today, Morgan is passionate about continuing with the AVID mindset, viewing it not simply as a club, but as an effective, engaging approach to teaching that supports all students across subjects. As both an educator and an individual, she values how AVID continues to grow and evolve—just as she does.
Angela Hall
Polk Elementary
Angela Hall teaches 6th grade at Polk Elementary and is deeply committed to her profession. With 32 years of teaching experience, she has focused on creating a supportive classroom environment where students can thrive and develop into their best selves. Angie didn't discover AVID until later in her career, but once she did, it just clicked. AVID gave a name to the strategies she had already been using throughout her career to build student relationships, set high expectations, and give students the confidence and agency to take charge of their lives. She is recognized for her relational capacity and classroom culture with her students and consistently explores new AVID strategies to enhance her teaching. In her free time, she loves attending concerts and watching Korean dramas.
Crystal Medina
Atascocita MS
Crystal Medina is an AVID Site Coordinator and Elective Teacher in Humble ISD, bringing 19 years of experience in education. She is committed to cultivating college and career readiness by encouraging students to challenge themselves and take ownership of their learning. Through strong relationships and rigorous academic preparedness, she inspires confidence and determination in every student she teaches. Crystal’s passion lies in empowering students through AVID with the skills, habits, and opportunity knowledge to build agency to thrive in college and beyond.
Teresa Gooch
David H Hickman HS
With over two decades of passionate service in public education, Gooch brings a wealth of experience and heart to everything she does. From teaching Health, PE, and Social Studies to the last ten years empowering students through the AVID elective, she’s made a lasting impact in countless lives. A proud alumna of the University of Missouri–Kansas City and a master’s graduate from Truman State University, Gooch blends academic excellence with an energetic spirit. Outside the classroom, she’s a dedicated wife and mom of three who loves running, promoting literacy at summer book giveaways, and helping her colleague’s flower truck business. You can find her most mornings hosting study hall and dreaming up the most creative Fun Friday activities. Her goal is to inspire students to chase their post-secondary dreams with confidence and purpose.
Jennifer Gloer
Armwood HS
Dave Armitage
Sage Valley MS
Dave Armitage is an educator from Nampa, Idaho, and a graduate of BYU-Idaho and Boise State University, where he earned degrees in English and Spanish education. A certified secondary teacher, he currently teaches at Sage Valley Middle School in the Vallivue School District—an AVID National Demonstration School. At Sage Valley, he is a member of the site team and teaches the AVID Elective for grades 6–8.
Dave has served as an AVID Staff Developer for eleven years. He was a featured educator speaker during the general session of AVID’s Summer Institute in Denver in 2019 and presented at AVID’s National Conference in Orlando in 2017. In his district, he is a member of the professional development team, a Thinking Maps trainer, and was honored as the District Teacher of the Year for 2018–2019.
Fontana High School
Fontana Unified School District
Fohi AVID is a family composed of teachers that believe in their students; those students became tutors, as well as teachers, that are now a team working on inspiring the next generation. With the love for Fohi and Fontana, AVID thrives on aiding our community into prospering beyond the stereotypes. AVID and FOHI “Live Maroon” everyday by guiding all our students in being prepared graduates to pursue higher education or career opportunities. We are humbled and honored for the consideration as an AVID Site Team of the Year finalist. Thank you.
March Middle School
Val Verde Unified School District
The AVID Site Team is committed to advancing college and career readiness through strategic collaboration and continuous improvement. In addition to fulfilling the standard responsibilities of an AVID site team, we conduct monthly meetings to perform fidelity checks and systematically analyze data to evaluate the effectiveness of site initiatives. We partner with our AVID Student Site Team to ensure that student perspectives are meaningfully integrated into the decision-making process. Our team designs and implements sitewide campaigns to promote the consistent use of WICOR strategies across all content areas, while also providing comprehensive, yearlong professional development to support sustained instructional growth. Additionally, we actively collaborate with our feeder schools to foster vertical alignment, ensuring a cohesive and consistent AVID experience for students throughout their academic journey.
Ocala STEAM Academy
Alum Rock Union School District
Our AVID Site Team has joined forces for over eight years, seamlessly integrating AVID strategies into both core and elective classes while championing a schoolwide culture of college and career readiness. As an AVID Emerging Schoolwide site, we owe our progress to a dedicated staff whose steadfast support has preserved program integrity, even through administrative transitions. Our students proudly carry the AVID banner, and their enthusiasm drives everything we do. We celebrate the journeys of our alumni—hearing their college success stories and welcoming them back as guest speakers and tutors who inspire the next generation. Through ongoing professional development and student-led initiatives, AVID practices flourish at every grade level. We are honored to be finalists for this award, a testament to our community’s shared commitment to excellence.
Bryan Collegiate High School
Bryan Independent School District
The BCHS Site Team was created three years ago and implemented schoolwide AVID. All of our students are enrolled in AVID providing the structure to raise the rigor and equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in their post secondary endeavors. This schoolwide approach has become the backbone of BCHS and has garnered us nationwide recognition of achievement. Being recognized as an AVID Site Team finalist reflects the team's unwavering dedication to academic excellence, equity, and college readiness for all students.
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