Kent L. Bechler, Executive Leadership Team – Leadership & Organizational Development
Kent last served as superintendent of the Corona-Norco Unified School District, the 9th largest school district in California until 2012.
Corona-Norco Unified School District was named a 2012 finalist for the $1 million Broad Prize for Urban Education. The Broad Prize for Urban Education is the largest education prize in the country, honoring school districts that demonstrate the greatest overall performance and improvement in student achievement while reducing achievement gaps among poor and minority students.
He also served as superintendent in Walnut Valley Unified and Duarte Unified School Districts. He held positions of Assistant Superintendent, Principal, Assistant Principal, Teacher, and Coach.
Kent received a bachelor’s degree in social work from Azusa Pacific University, a master’s degree in educational administration from California State University – Los Angeles and a Ph.D. in education from Claremont Graduate University.
Kent has extensive training experience in management, leadership, systems, policies and procedures, strategic planning, labor relations, and developing collaboration and teamwork within organizations. He is well known for developing trusting relationships, team building and resolving organizational conflict. His academic work includes teaching adjunct classes at the university level and consulting with educational institutions, businesses, and other organizations.
He was named the 2012 California Superintendent of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators.
During Kent’s 32-year career in K-12 education, he served in professional organizations including the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), California Collaborative on District Reform, American Association of School Administrators (AASA), Southern California Superintendents, Urban Education Dialogue and Educational Research Development Institute (ERDI).
Born in Saginaw, Michigan and raised in South Central Los Angeles, he has traveled extensively throughout South America, Australia and Mainland China playing basketball.
Kent is married and has three sons and two grandchildren.