Social Sciences Alumna Receives 2022 CSBA Golden Gavel Award

December 16, 2022
Joanna Paun stands with other board members
A board member speaks at a podium
Joanna Paun stands with other board members
A board member speaks at a podium

Joanna Paun, an SSU alumna who graduated with a Psychology BA (2002) and a Counseling MA (2016), was awarded the 2022 California School Board Association Member of the Year Golden Gavel. Joanna, who works as a school counselor at Marin Academy, was elected to the Petaluma School Board in 2018. She was recently elected to her second term. Paun accepted the award on December 1 at the 2022 CSBA Annual Education Conference in San Diego. This is the largest educational leadership conference in the state. The CSBA Golden Gavel award recognizes those exemplifying best practices in effective governance. Paun was elected from the roughly 5,000 school board members in the state. In her leadership position, Joanna has spearheaded efforts to address equity and opportunity gaps in the Petaluma City Schools and to strengthen the voice of students in school board governance. In her second term, she hopes to also focus on stability and sustainability in the district. Throughout her professional career, Paun’s work has exemplified the core values of Sonoma State, including a commitment to diversity and social justice, sustainability, connectivity, and community engagement, as well as adaptability and responsiveness.

Congratulations Joanna!

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