The Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 17 recently recognized two outstanding Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) educators for their contributions and dedication to public education. Dr. Lorie Hoggard, principal at Rea Elementary, was named Elementary Principal of the Year, and Lisa Snowden, Coordinator II of Work-based Learning, was named Career Technical Education Administrator of the Year.

Both educators were nominated by fellow administrators for exemplifying ACSA’s criteria, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to providing:

• an equitable education system and meeting the diverse needs of all students and school communities;
• exceptional leadership in implementing, managing, and supporting school programs;
• educational quality and student achievement;
• professional growth, ethics, and innovation; and
• nurturing and sustaining a safe and inclusive learning environment.

"I am incredibly proud of Lorie and Lisa, two outstanding educators whose passion for improving student outcomes is truly commendable. This well-deserved recognition is a testament to their hard work, and we are honored to have them as part of our Newport-Mesa community," said NMUSD Superintendent Dr. Wesley Smith.

Dr. Lorie Hoggard, Principal, Rea Elementary

With an emphasis on collaboration as a cornerstone of student success, Hoggard actively engages families and fosters meaningful participation through specialized events throughout the school year. Her more than 30 years of experience in education includes principalships at Sonora and Killybrooke Elementary Schools, achieving high levels of academic excellence at both, and earning national recognition as the director of Early Childhood Education. 

Hoggard champions student voice at Rea through advisory councils and collaborative decision-making that empowers students to shape their learning environment. She excels in implementing strategic systems to enhance instruction and learning, which is reflected in the 17 percent increase in students meeting or exceeding standards on standardized statewide assessments and a 12 percent increase in early literacy scores. She recognizes every student by name and by need, and her parents and teachers know that to be true.

Hoggard is dedicated to ensuring students thrive academically and socially. The AVID program at Rea continues to grow in depth and impact as she promotes equitable representation across grade levels and special education on the leadership team, fostering inclusivity. She supports and leads strong reading, science, and music programs, and provides professional development on engaging methods such as Socratic Seminars, Philosophical Chairs, and Costa's higher-level thinking techniques. By supporting great teachers to become even stronger, students continue to thrive.

Her advocacy for programs such as Ballet Folklorico and Heritage Language classes in Spanish highlights her commitment to celebrating cultural diversity and offering students opportunities to connect with their ancestry. 

Lisa Snowden, Coordinator II of Work-based Learning 

Snowden mentors and encourages middle and high school students in their goals through the district’s Career Technical Education (CTE) program. She builds meaningful relationships with students and colleagues that bridges classroom learning with real-world application by actively engaging and connecting students with industry professionals, leading to internships and employment opportunities.

During the past 15 years, Snowden has worked with school districts to develop career-focused curricula, implement project-based training and instruction, and promote the attainment of industry certificates and early college credits. At NMUSD, she has expanded opportunities for CTE teachers’ professional development and fostered relationships with colleges and industry partners to continuously improve the district’s annual College and Career Fair. 

She is passionate about providing opportunities for all students, focusing on inclusivity for diverse groups, young women, and students with special needs. Snowden played a key role in bringing a Spyder Lab to Back Bay High School, creating a business pathway that fuels students’ entrepreneurial minds. She also organizes an annual Women in Engineering Event, connecting female students with high-level women in STEM for roundtable discussions, inspiring young women to pursue careers in underrepresented fields. 

“Lisa Snowden exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding administrator: vision, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to student and teacher success. Our district CTE Engineering program is thriving thanks to her leadership,” said Racine Cross, Engineering Teacher at Costa Mesa High School.

NMUSD celebrates the prestigious achievements of Dr. Lorie Hoggard and Lisa Snowden, whose commitment to student success and educational excellence exemplify the district’s mission to cultivate lifelong learners.