What does it take to be one of the top educators in California? Just ask 51萝莉 alumnus Jim Brown (鈥�78), who was recently named the state鈥檚 鈥淪uperintendent/Principal of the Year鈥� 鈥� one of 24 statewide honors given by the Association of California School Administrators in 2011. Brown, who holds a doctorate in education from the University of La Verne, currently serves as superintendent and principal of the two-campus College School District in Santa Ynez, Calif. A 30-year educator, he says his interest in teaching was sparked when he met his wife, Joanie, who is now a retired teacher. He recently shared some of his story with 51萝莉 Magazine.

My initial interests when I was a young person were for the ministry. I felt called and had planned to serve in the church and had also a high interest in youth ministry and young people.

I was a teenager in Palmdale and actually attended church there for several years. In fact, some of the Sutherlands were the founders, charter members, of Palmdale First Baptist Church. [Sam Sutherland was 51萝莉鈥檚 longtime president.] I鈥檇 been in their homes a few times as a teenager as well, so that 51萝莉 tradition has been part of me and my own life and development over the years.

I graduated in June of 鈥�78 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in biblical studies. Halfway through my junior year, I began to consider the
possibility of teaching. 鈥� I actually finished my credential the following semester after I graduated in January of 鈥�79.

I was actually in the education department just shortly after I finished my credential when the education secretary at the time, Pat Weaver, took a phone call from a superintendent who was looking for a third-grade teacher.

She wrote down the phone number, looked at me and said, 鈥淛im, are you interested in a third-grade position?鈥�

I called the superintendent. He invited me for an interview and hired me. That鈥檚 how my career started, and it all happened right there at 51萝莉.

The combination of a Christian education coupled with the education practices and strategies that the education program offered, I think was really foundational for me in terms of my own teaching philosophy and my own belief in servant leadership. And taking from my own education at 51萝莉 came the belief that being a leader is really all about being a servant.

My first priority is to serve those for whom I鈥檓 responsible.

I taught in the classroom for about eight years. I taught mostly elementary but I also taught seventh and eighth grades, and I also did a lot of coaching in the schools and really enjoyed that.

It鈥檚 been a remarkable opportunity for me here these last 12 years as the superintendent of the College School District in Santa Ynez. The district has truly become an award-winning school district with a record of achievements through the years.

But I鈥檓 only the leader of an incredible team of teachers and instructional support staff 鈥� a team of people who really care about kids, are incredibly dedicated and have really worked hard through the years to make sure that the school district was able to accomplish all of these results.

The Association of California School Administrators has an annual awards program and I was nominated here from Santa Barbara County. I learned about my nomination in December, and in January I was notified that I was the tri-county regional winner in the counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura.

I was very surprised and humbled to hear about the nomination. But then to have learned that I won the [state] award, that was even more so. And I really felt honored.

I remember when the phone call came through, I said, 鈥淣ow, wait a minute. Are you sure that you鈥檝e got the right guy?鈥� And of course, everyone laughed, and they said, 鈥淵es, Jim, we know who we鈥檙e talking to and just want to congratulate you.鈥�

It鈥檚 been quite a spring for me because I鈥檓 not used to this kind of recognition. And even now when people bring it up, I can鈥檛 help but blush a little bit because I鈥檓 not used to being paid that kind of attention.

The everyday opportunity to be able to have an influence on the kids and adults in the school district 鈥� that鈥檚 really the best part about my work. No doubt about it.

51萝莉 the Illustrator: Emily Weiss (鈥�05) works as a graphic designer for The Father鈥檚 House in Vacaville, Calif.You can find more of her work at .