Vitae - Dr. Shirley Thornton

By Shirley A. Thornton

VITAE, AWARDS AND CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION

Dr. Shirley Thornton, scholar, educator, administrator, author, and school board member. Dr. Thornton resigned her position as a tenured tracked Associate Professor with the California State University, Sacramento campus in 2000 to become the Senior Vice President and National Director of the Schools Division of the America's Schools Program. A Program created to partner with corporate America to bring a new funding source to the K +12-education system in America. Dr. Thornton is presently an Adjunct Associate Professor in the California State University, Sacramento's School Of Education, in the Educational Administration and Policy Studies Department. Dr. Thornton owns Thornton Educational Services, a consulting firm which specializes in assisting school districts and individual schools in providing quality education for all students, but specifically, students of color and poor students who are the ones most at-risk of academic failure. From 1985 to 1995 Dr. Thornton served as Deputy Superintendent of the Specialized Program Branch, California Department of Education. From 1995-1996 she served as Director of San Francisco Public Housing. Dr. Thornton's textbook, Transforming Schools, Finding Success For Students At Risk Through Systemic Change, is a practical guide that gives a clear process for improving troubled schools. Dr. Thornton holds degrees from San Francisco State University in Biological Sciences (BA), Counseling (MA), and credentials in teaching, counseling, and administration. She holds a Doctorate of Education from the University of San Francisco in Curriculum and Instruction. She also graduated from the Command and General Staff College, US Army Reserves, and retired a full Colonel having served as a Detachment Commander for the Selective Service Branch and lastly as a member of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Dr. Thornton began her career in education in San Francisco in 1967 as a Science and Physical Education teacher for Aptos Junior High School. She was promoted to a Counselor in 1969, and became an Assistant Principal in 1973. In 1975, she continued in secondary administration as an Assistant Principal at Benjamin Franklin Middle School and in 1977, she became Principal of that school. Dr. Thornton later moved to her alma mater, Balboa High School, in 1980 and was Principal there until her promotion to Area Superintendent of High School Operations and Instruction Division for the San Francisco Unified School District in 1984.

Dr. Thornton is a strong advocate of equity, equality, and excellence in education for all children. Her educational philosophy stresses that all children can learn, and that high standards and expectations are necessary not only for the students but for all involved in their education. She believes a required rigorous core curriculum is the best way to prepare students to succeed in a rapidly changing world and job market, and it is our responsibility to make sure, based on a comprehensive monitoring and accountability system, they have equal access to quality education where all students are afforded the opportunity to learn.

Dr. Thornton's Motto is,

"Let us Use the Knowledge we have,

to Gain the knowledge we need,

to Do the job we must for all children"

DR. SHIRLEY A. THORNTON

AWARDS AND CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION

Dr. Thornton has received many awards for her contributions to education and the greater community. Among those are:

MARIN COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION + 2003 TRUSTEE OF THE YEAR Recognized by Marin County's 125 elected school and community college members as the 2003-2004 Trustee of the year as a result of the work done as President of the SausalitoMarinCity School Board.

S.R. MARTIN COLLEGE PREPARTORY SCHOOL'S 2002 "MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE" AWARD Recognition for distinguished career in education and service to all children

Certificate OF RECOGNITION TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY In recognition of your hard work and dedication + 2002 Summer Institute

UNITED METHODIST WOMAN OF THE YEAR (2000) SAN FRANCISCO In appreciation of your hard work and service to our community and children.

MARIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION,BOARD OF TRUSTEES In appreciation of your years of community service. Member 1986-1996, Chair 1995-1996.

NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY AWARD For years of tireless service as one of the founding trustees for the Marin Community Foundation - Marin County's 1996 Honoree

THE OAKLAND ALLIANCE OF BLACK EDUCATORS Recognition for outstanding accomplishments, March 25,1995 Recipient of the 1995 Living Legend Award, March 31,1996

WESTERN REGIONAL COUNCIL ON EDUCATION THE BLACK CHILD Recognition for distinguished services to children, parents, and educators. 1993 and again for the period 1986 through 1995.

MULTICULTURAL ALLIANCE Excellence award in recognition of exceptional service, dedication and contributions to education in California. May 1995

THE MARIN WOMEN'S HALL OF FAME Inducted into the Marin Women's Hall of Fame for outstanding service in the field of education and philanthropy. March, 1994

SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY Inducted into the University's Alumni Hall of Fame for work in the field of education 1994

CALIFORNIA'S LEADERS IN ACTION Recipient in Education Category for outstanding service, June 1994

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP-THE BARBARA JORDAN AWARD Outstanding service, Los Angeles Unified School District, March, 1993

SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF EDUCATION ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Outstanding Education Alumna of the Year, 1993 NATIONAL SORORITY OF PHI DELTA KAPPA,INC. Appreciation for work and service, 1993

THE REV. MARTIN LUTHER KING,JR.,CONVOCATION AWARD Recognition for exemplary contributions in education, 1993

KGO TELEVISION--PROFILES IN EXCELLENCE The recipient in the education category, 1993

CAL PAC STATE SCHOLARSHIP FUND, INC. For your Continuous Support as Educational Speaker and Services to the CAL PAC State Scholarship Fund, Inc., 1993 CALIFORNIA SCHOOL COUNSELORS ASSOCIATION In Recognition of Outstanding Service to the Association, February 14,1992

CITY OF CONCORD In Grateful Recognition and Appreciation of Distinguished Service Rendered as the Keynote Speaker at the Concord Human Relations Recognition Dinner, February 1,1992

SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM California Presented To Col. Shirley United States Army Reserve In Recognition Of Outstanding Services To The Selective Services System And The State Of California, July 28,1992

KBHK TELEVISION For Outstanding and Dedicated Service to our San Francisco Bay Area, 1992

LOS ANGELES AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN PAC In Recognition of Your Leadership in the Field of Education, October 17,1992

CALIFORNIA ALLIANCE CONCERNED WITH SCHOOL AGE PARENTS Beatrice Gore Award, In Grateful Acknowledgment for your Service to the Field of Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting, 1992

FEDERAL CRIMINAL INSTITUTION-TERMINAL ISLAND, California In Appreciation for your Participation in the Graduation Ceremonies, 1992

DELTA DELTA ZETA CHAPTER OF ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, INC. Woman of the Year for Outstanding Community Service, 1992

DOMINICAN COLLEGE OF SAN RAFAEL The Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters with all rights, privileges and honors thereunto appertaining, September 17,1991

SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM In Grateful Recognition of over 10 years of Dedicated Service to the Selective Service System, Region V, 1991

THE SACRAMENTO ALLIANCE OF BLACK SCHOOL EDUCATORS Guest Speaker, NABSE, Western Regional Conference, April 5,1991

831ST AIR DIVISION Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Luncheon, January 15,1991

SCHOOL MASTER OF THE YEAR Recognition of outstanding service to children of California, February 23,1990

PHI BETA SIGMA FRATERNITY, ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY With Thanks for Tonight's Inspiring Keynote Address, Founder's Day, 1990

CONCERNED PARENTS OF NOVATO In Appreciation for "Living the Reality of the Dream",Jan.6,1990

THE CONVENTION OF AMERICAN INSTRUCTORS OF THE DEAF, THE CONFERENCE OF EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATORS SERVING THE SAN DIEGO USD CEASD Convention Award of Excellence in Education, 1989

CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION For Outstanding and Dedicated Service to the Proficiency in English Program for the Black Learner, February 20,1988

CORRECTIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, REGION VII BOARD AWARD In Appreciation for your Outstanding Contribution to the Correctional Education Association, January 1988

CACD-BC In appreciation for Humanness, February 28,1988

CAL PAC SCHOLARSHIP FUND,NORTH In Grateful Appreciation for your Efforts in making our 1987-88 Awards Program a Success, June 10,1988

ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS Adult Education Committee For Outstanding Service to Adult Education Regions XIV, XV, XVI, May 1987

CITY OF FRESNO Key from the Mayor in recognition for outstanding service in field of education, 1987 HEALTH CAREERS EDUCATION IN CALIFORNIA With Sincere Appreciation for Your Constant Support, 1987

MAYOR, CITY OF BAKERSFIELD For Your Continued Service to the Youth of California and your Educational Philosophy for High Standards, 1987

DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY,INC.,BAKERSFIELD, CA Recognition of your Participation in the Black History Month Activities, February 1987

CORRECTIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION In grateful appreciation Contributions to Correctional Education, July 1987

CALIF. CONSORTIUM FOR INDEPENDENT STUDY EXECUTIVE BOARD In Recognition of Outstanding and Dedicated Service to the Fields of Independent Study and Alternative Education, March 8,1986

MARIN CITY SENIORS Outstanding Recognition in the Field of Education an service to the community, 1986

SAN FRANCISCO ALLIANCE OF BLACK SCHOOL EDUCATORS For Dedicated, Devoted and Unselfish Service to the Children of San Francisco as a Teacher and Administrator, March 8,1986

UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO, EDUCATION ALUMNI SOCIETY Dr. Edward Griffin Award. In Recognition of Outstanding Service in Education Exemplifying the Personal Qualities for Commitment which Marked Dean Griffin's Tenure at the University of San Francisco, March 8,1986

BALBOA HIGH SCHOOL Hall of Merit Plaque for recognition of outstanding service, June 7,1986

ROTARY CLUB, SAN FRANCISCO Speaker and acknowledgment of community service, 1985,

THE NATIONAL SORORITY OF PHI DELTA KAPPA BETA NU CHAPTER Area Superintendent, High School Operations and Instruction, San Francisco USD, for Outstanding Achievement in Education, January 12,1985

ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, XI GAMMA OMEGA CHAPTER In Appreciation for being a Guest Speaker at Northern California Cluster Founder's Day Observance, January 26,1985

BETA PI SIGMA SORORITY, INC. DELTA CHAPTER Community Services Award For Outstanding Services to the Youth in San Francisco, May 18,1985

SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ALUMNA OF THE YEAR 1985, For Outstanding Service to Her University and Her Community, May 25,1985

BALBOA BILINGUAL PROJECT, BALBOA HIGH SCHOOL Certificate of Appreciation, 1984

BALBOA HIGH SCHOOL "We give to you what you gave to us (love, warmth and understanding)" Principal 1980-84

SAN FRANCISCO BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN, INC. Professional Woman of the Year, May 5,1984

THE CALIFORNIA ALLIANCE OF BLACK SCHOOL EDUCATORS As Outstanding Administrator for Northern California for the School Year 1980-1981

APTOS GRADUATING CLASS OF 1973 "We gave to you what you gave to us (love, warmth and understanding)" Rev.6/10/00