FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
3/20/2023
Contact: Gwen Bell
Email: gwen@ssda.org
Phone: (916) 750-0722
Superintendent Dr. Giovanni Annous Receives the SSDA 2023 Binderup Award
CA Small School Districts’ Association recognizes Dr. Giovanni Annous as the 2023 Superintendent of the Year.
SACRAMENTO, CA, March 2023 – The California Small School Districts’ Association (SSDA) is proud to announce Dr. Giovanni Annous, Superintendent of Upper Lake Unified School District, as the 2023 Binderup Superintendent of the Year Award winner. Dr. Annous recently received the award during the 2023 SSDA annual state conference held at the beginning of March.
“To be honored by SSDA and your peers with such a prestigious award is extremely gratifying and an award that bears Charles Binderup’s name is of high honor,” said Dr. Annous.
Dr. Annous is a native of Lebanon, and he moved to Southern California when he was just 17 years old. Dr. Annous started as a middle school science teacher and then served as a Dean of Students, Principal, and core adjunct professor. His experience in education has immensely supported the impact he has made on his school district today.
For Upper Lake USD, Dr. Annous has made upgrades to their facilities, opened a wellness center for ULUSD families, and provides positive strong relationships with his students, teachers, families, and the whole community.
“I am forever grateful to the Upper Lake USD community for believing in me and for their collaborative and continued support,” said Dr. Annous. “I am also eternally thankful to our selfless and dedicated ULUSD school board and leadership team members for their hard work and commitment through our successful journey. Leading ULUSD has been my privilege, pleasure, and the best professional gift I have ever received.”
Established in 1990, the SSDA Binderup Award is made in the name of Charles Binderup, who was a distinguished small school district superintendent in California. To earn this honor, an individual superintendent must have made worthy and sustained contributions to the operation of a small school district and to advancing the role of small school district superintendents in the educational arena and the community.
The mission of the Small School Districts’ Association is to provide relevant information and proactive assistance to small school district governing boards and superintendents through legislative advocacy, collaboration, professional development, and support services. To learn more, visit https://www.ssda.org/ or email Taylor Smith at taylor@ssda.org.