Kent and Garfield Awards – Nominations Open
January 6, 2026
The San Mateo County School Boards Association is pleased to be able to acknowledge and publicize the outstanding teachers and programs in San Mateo County through the J. Russell Kent Awards program. We encourage school board members and district staff to visit these programs in other districts. We believe they will come away, not only convinced of the high quality of the programs but as enthusiastic about our school districts and staff throughout the county as we have been.
SMCSBA initiated the J. Russell Kent Award Program in the 1980-81 school year. Named after past San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools, J. Russell Kent, the awards are given to innovative and replicable programs that are being implemented in a school district, county office of education, or in the community college district in the County.
The Kent Awards process begins in the winter when districts submit nominations for consideration. The applications are screened and evaluated by a screening committee using rubrics. Programs that successfully pass the screening are then visited to verify the findings of the screening committee. Award winners are recognized annually in May at the Kent Awards Banquet.
Emily Garfield Award
The San Mateo County School Boards Association is pleased to present the Annual Emily Garfield Award for counseling as part of the J. Russell Kent Awards program. Dr. Garfield was a pioneer in the field of alcohol and drug-related prevention. As founder and Executive Director of Project Pegasus, Emily supported implementation of school- and community-based alcohol and drug prevention strategies and provided training and consultation until it closed in 1985. She continued to work as an advocate, author, trainer, and consultant with National Training Associates and Youth Empowering Systems, Inc. Emily was a mentor and friend in support of positive youth development and community wellness.