2023 Excellence in Education
Education Professional
Dr. Lisa Lamb
Dr. Lisa Lamb is being recognized for her leadership, commitment and contributions to students throughout San Bernardino County.
She has dedicated more than 25 years to education. Dr. Lamb started her career as a middle school teacher in the Barstow Unified School District before taking on new challenges in administration, eventually leading her to her current role as President/ CEO of the Lewis Center for Educational Research. Under her direction, the non- profit has earned national recognition for its charter schools and programs in San Bernardino County.
“Her love for education, particularly at the TK-12 level, is unparalleled,” said The Lewis Center for Educational Research’s Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator, Jisela Corona-Gonzalez. “Lisa provides opportunities for children and youth to develop skills and knowledge that will benefit them throughout their lives, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status.”
Dr. Lamb has made it her mission to create and maintain strong collaborations with community members and organizations such as NASA/JPL, Mexican Space Agency, the Taiwanese Delegation and Apple Valley Center for Innovation (AVCI). Her dedication to bridging communities to provide students with access to STEM education is evident as she creates avenues for incredible partnerships. This helps foster exploration and interest in an industry students may not have had access to otherwise.
“I’ve always worked with underserved students,” said Dr. Lamb. “I feel that when students have opportunity, the whole world opens up to them and there’s no better way to do that than through education.”
Student Alumni
Dr. Rhea Mclver Gibbs
A product of the Rialto Unified School District (RUSD), Dr. McIver Gibbs has established roots within the community she loves and serves. She successfully built a 29 year career with RUSD, and now effects change as the district’s Lead Strategic Agent.
Her passion-driven leadership spurred the development and implementation of the University of Southern California (USC) Reading and Literacy Added Authorization program. As a result of this program, 129 RUSD teachers received their certification from USC in Reading and Literacy Added Authorization. She also leads RUSD’s Customer C.A.R.E. (Communication, Appreciation, Responsiveness and Environment), a customer service campaign, and the Body, Soul, and Spirit management evaluation system, a new management assessment model.
In partnership with California State University, San Bernardino, Dr. McIver Gibbs worked to implement the Rialto Project Impact. The goal of this program is to promote the recruitment, employment and retention of minority male teachers in the classroom.
She is also involved with a number of community organizations, some of which include: National Alliance of Black School Educators; University of California, Los Angeles Alumni Association; University of Redlands Alumni Association; Inland Empire Alliance of Black School Educators and the Association of California School Administrators.
Dr. McIver Gibbs’ impact transcends the roles she fulfills on paper as she continues
to build a legacy grounded in her innate ability to be compassionate, inspirational, innovative and service-oriented. One judge commented that Dr. McIver Gibbs is a “recognized leader in education equity and inspiring teachers through mentoring and professional development.”
Jenny Owen
Director, Communications and Intergovernmental Relations
For additional information, please call 909.386.2413.
601 North E Street
San Bernardino, CA 92415-0020