09/22/2022 -
SCOE Associate Superintendent John Laughlin was honored this week at the California County Superintendents general membership meeting.
The annual awards are selected by a committee composed of county superintendents throughout the state.
After six years as a school psychologist with the Contra Costa Office of Education, Laughlin moved to Sonoma County. He worked for the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District for 13 years as a school psychologist, coordinator and director of special education. Laughlin is in his 12th year as a member of the leadership team at SCOE, where he has served as a principal, assistant superintendent, and associate superintendent.
“John is big on positive connection and compassionate by nature,” said Gina Lance, chair of the committee and presenter of Laughlin’s award. “While we were meeting only virtually and many of our members were stretched thin, John made wellness and resilience a priority, whether offering resources or activities, or simply creating the space together for this work. And he enthusiastically led PASSCo back to in-person and hybrid meetings in a way that had an immediate re-energizing impact.”
Lance also recognized Laughlin’s efforts to promote resilience and care for others. “When John himself wants an instant refresh at work, when he wants to boost his own resilience and energy there - he helps out in a classroom. He spends time with students. Because the students are still truly why he is here, and that shows.”
Laughlin currently supervises SCOE’s Human Resource Services Department and the superintendent of the North Coast School of Education. SCOE’s Human Resource Services Department serves as a professional resource for districts regarding employment issues and is committed to providing services that help Sonoma County schools meet their human resources needs.
The California County Superintendents has 5 steering committees that consist of county office subject matter experts from across the state. Each year, the members of the steering committees select one colleague who has gone above and beyond in their field to support the mission and vision of the California County Superintendents in service to students. The committees include: Business and Administration; Curriculum and Instruction; Personnel Administrative Services; Student Programs and Services; and Technology.
The California County Superintendents’ mission is to promote, influence, and advocate for an educational system that supports all students. More information can be found here.
Photo: Dr. Debra Duardo, Los Angeles County Superintendent and President of the California County Superintendents, left, John Laughlin, and Gina Lance from Orange County Department of Education, chair of PASSCo, which is the committee John served on and received his award from. Photo credit: Jeremy Ryan Wong
