Dr. Anthony Avina

Dr. Anthony Avina
E-Mail:

AAvina@csupomona.edu


Phone:

(909) 913-4110


Office:

Bldg 3-1421


 


Biography

Dr. Anthony Avina began his career in education as a teacher and athletic coach at the middle and high school levels. His administrative experience includes serving as an assistant principal at the middle school level in Pomona and Duarte, as a high school principal in Banning, as an assistant superintendent in Santa Ana and as a superintendent in three districts. More >>

Throughout his service as a superintendent, he focused on student achievement, securing adequate school finance, and advocating for legislative programs including SB 813. These same focus areas were a part of his service in restoring fiscal stability in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District as well as implementing class size reduction efforts. In the Whittier Union High School District, he led successful efforts to securing federal funding to repair the school facilities that had been severely damaged in the Whittier Narrows Earthquake and to pass a major bond issue. Dr. Avina continues to be active with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and has chaired numerous accreditation teams throughout California, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and China. He was selected by Dr. John Goodlad to serve on the National Network for Educational Renewal at the University of Washington. Dr. Avina has also served for two terms on the Committee on Accreditation for the California Commission on Teaching Credentials in Sacramento. << Less

Areas of Interests

Dr. Avina initiated the Administrative Leadership Program at Cal Poly Pomona and has involved regional school districts in its design and operation. Dr. Avina recognizes the importance of leadership in our public schools and has guided administrators into positions of leadership in districts throughout Southern California. More >>

Dr. Avina has presented in numerous conferences for the California School Boards Association, the Association of California School Administrators and local school districts. He has written articles on the WASC accreditation process, the collaboration between high school principals and their superintendents, and the process of beginning new programs at the University level. His recruitment efforts have taken him into districts from Pasadena to Riverside, from Glendora to Santa Ana, Whittier and Downey.

Dr. Avina advocates two prime lessons for aspiring administrators: “Learn to Look” and “Learn to Listen.” He believes that leaders need to have experience as successful teachers if they are to be effective as instructional leaders. The attitudes and dispositions needed to turnaround and transform schools calls for individuals who have the background as successful teachers and the courage both to face change and to lead others. His areas of research interest include district organization, the interaction of district office with sites, the design, organization and administration of high schools, and legislative advocacy.
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Personal Statement

I believe Our schools are more successful than the national media portrays them to be. We must be the voice that responds to the charges that come from political pundits who claim the schools are failing. The fixation on assessment to the detriment of many programs has resulted in our students missing important experiences in the arts, music, and vocational training. Criticism of teachers based on the assessments used without questioning the assessments themselves has led to uncertainty in the classroom. Leadership is needed more then ever in the schools, the districts, and the legislature. Tomorrow’s school leaders must be advocates with the courage to speak up and not allow their voices to be ignored.

Education

  • Ed.D., University of Southern California
  • Masters of Education, University of Redlands
  • Bachelor of Arts, University of Redlands