Jack London Award for Educational Innovation

Jack London

Jack London, 1876-1916

Jack London epitomized the life-long learner. His own education was characterized by innovative and non-traditional experiences. London’s primary devotion, however was to the PEOPLE, as he called them, and he wanted an informed public that would direct leaders, not follow them blindly. It is fitting that he be memorialized through this award program, which is designed to recognize and encourage innovative, educational programs. The Jack London Award for Educational Innovation is given annually to an innovative educational program in Sonoma County public schools.

Goals of the Jack London Award Program

  • To recognize and publicize outstanding innovative programs and the individuals responsible for them.
  • To project a positive image of public education.

SSU faculty and staff, as well as community and educational leaders, serve as judges for this award program. The Jack London Award Committee makes final selection of award recipients. Criteria for judging include:

  1. Original vision and impetus for the program
  2. Innovative and creative approaches
  3. Engages teachers and school community collaboratively
  4. The impact of this program on students and how it might be adaptable to other settings

Jack London Award for Educational Innovation 2013

Awards Invitation flyer

Now in its 26th year, the Jack London Award for Educational Innovation celebrates good ideas and great programs and the people who make them happen in our local public schools. All Sonoma County Public Schools are invited to nominate innovative programs for this honor.

This year's application deadline is February 8, 2013 and the awards will be presented on May 1, 2013 in the School of Education Education Awards Ceremony on the SSU Campus, starting at 5:00 PM. The celebration is open to the public.

Download the application

2012 Jack London Award Recipients

Teacher Nancy Saylor and three others from Oak Grove School receiving the Jack London award certificate

Carlos Ayala posing with project director Marie Ganister and the team of teachers from Windsor High School's Vineyard Academy

Elementary Category: Primos, Oak Grove Elementary School, Santa Rosa, Nancy Saylor, Program Coordinator

Program Goal: Bring together high school mentors and elementary English language learners to improve academic skills and foster a desire to succeed.






Secondary Category: Windsor High School, Windsor, Marie Ganister, Program Coordinator

Program Goal: Vineyard Academy is dedicated to the education of our students with an emphasis on the hospitality and culinary environment of Sonoma County.