Edna E. Davis-Herring

Edna E. Davis-Herring of EDucational Network and Associates, provides educational consulting, and motivational speaking on topics relative to student achievement,  leadership, women, youth and African-Americans. She served seven and one-half years as the Superintendent of the Rialto Unified School District (RUSD), the 35th largest school district of more than 1,040 in the State of California.  The District’s student enrollment was approximately 30,000; employees numbered more than 3,800, and the budget was approximately $230 million.  Her primary responsibility to the District was to provide the leadership necessary for all students to experience access, excellence, and equity in their education, as well as a safe and secure learning environment.
In May 2008, she was featured on ABC World News Tonight with Charles Gibson on the District’s use of technology to protect and support students with food allergies.  Twice she has brought Dr. Bill Cosby to the RUSD to speak with students, parents, and community members.  She is actively participating with educators, organizations, politicians and corporations throughout the Nation for proposed legislation for The Agenda: “Education is a Civil Right”.
Her career in education spans more than thirty-eight years.  Following twelve years as a Spanish and English teacher at the community college and secondary school levels, she ventured into administration.  One of her most rewarding experiences was a five-year stint as Principal of Eisenhower High School in Rialto.  This ethnically diverse high school of more than 3,200 students and 250 staff members achieved National and State recognition for academic excellence during her leadership.  “Ike” was among 203 of 489 contenders to receive the U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Schools Award; among the top 40 in the State to receive the California Distinguished Schools Award; and among the top five in the Nation to receive the Hispanic-Ryder National School of Excellence Award.
Other administrative experiences include Program Manager for the Teacher Evaluation Program for the Louisiana Department of Education, Baton Rouge, where she provided direct services and training to Orleans Parish, the largest Parish in the State of Louisiana.  Prior to her return to Rialto in 2002, Davis-Herring served in the Adams Twelve Five Star School District, Northglenn, Colorado as Director of Student Services in the Office of Curriculum and Instruction and as Inaugural Principal of Century Middle School, a project funded for more than $16 million.
Her demand for excellence and her deep commitment to the growth and development of all young people, complimented by awards earned by the schools she has led, garnered her personal and professional recognition.  In 2009, she was recipient of the Inland Empire Council of African-American Clergy “Gertrude Whetzel” Visionary Award; 2000 Sacred Sistahs; “Shero” Award; Region 10 California League of High Schools “Administrator of the Year”; University of Redlands  2008 Town and Gown “Women of Distinction”, Los Angeles County Alliance of Black School Educators (LAABSE) 2007 “Outstanding Leaders in Education”; 2004 Association of California School Administrators (ACSA ) Region 12 “Superintendent of the Year” (Riverside and San Bernardino Counties-59 Districts); 2003 Riverside Black Women’s Leadership Forum,  “Sapphire Award” for Excellence in Education; 2002 Rialto Chapter of Business and Professional Women “Woman of Achievement”; 2002 “Friend of Foreign Language Teachers” (bestowed on only one individual or organization each year in the State of Colorado); and 1993 San Bernardino Black Cultural Foundation “Humanitarian of the Year”.
She earned the Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of San Diego and the Bachelor of Art (B.A.) in Spanish from Bennett College for Women, Greensboro, North Carolina. Davis-Herring pursued graduate studies in Salamanca, Spain, and Guadalajara, Mexico.  She has experienced extensive leadership training to include Ohio State University Superintendent’s Leadership Institute, North Central Accreditation Association Leadership Institute, Rockefeller Brothers Institute for Educational Leadership, Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Executive Leadership Institute, Harvard University and ACSA Principals’ Center, ACSA Personnel Academy, California School Leadership Academy, and International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme Administrators’ Institute.
Edna continues to provide public service throughout the Inland Empire. She serves as a board member with the Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County and the Arrowhead United Way. She attends Water of Life Church in Rancho Cucamonga.