As a public-school educator for nearly 29 years, Dr. DeLeon has served as a high school teacher, assistant principal, principal, Secondary Instructional Specialist, Director of Professional Development/ Assessment and Evaluation, Interim Director of Elementary Education and Chief of Secondary Schools, before first serving as Superintendent of the Oxnard Union High School District and then Glendora Unified School District.
Dr. DeLeon earned her doctorate in organizational leadership from the University of La Verne, as well as master’s degrees in secondary education and educational administration, and completed a post-doctoral program at Stanford University in the Executive Program for Educational Leaders. She has also been certified as a leadership coach by the Association of California School Administrators and holds a School Business Management Certificate. Dr. DeLeon has served on the College Board Advisory Council, and the Board of Directors for the California Linked Learning Alliance. Her notable accomplishments include being named a 2022 State of California Woman of the Year for Education from Assembly District 48, the 2018 ACSA Region 13 Superintendent of the Year, as well as a 2020 Top 10 Women Superintendents to Watch for ‘Vision and Purpose’ Magazine.
Before coming to Newark, Dr. DeLeon led both Glendora and Oxnard Union High School District in their efforts to ensure multiple post-secondary options and powerful futures for every child, through the development of a strong college and career readiness focus, and systems of support which provide equity and access to rigorous curricula for all students. Some of their notable accomplishments: increasing enrollment in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses, as well as pass rate; increasing college and university applications; increasing the percentage of students who complete the FAFSA; increasing the percentage of students who meet the A-G requirements; increasing the graduation rate and decreasing the drop-out rate; and opening multiple student Wellness Centers and Family Resource Centers. Dr. DeLeon also led a successful bond campaign which brought $350 million dollars of school facilities funding to the district.
Throughout her career, Dr. DeLeon has worked to close the achievement gap by nurturing strong parent and community engagement, while promoting a culture of collaboration, support and collegiality for all stakeholders.