2025 Excellence in Education

Education Professional

Nicole Robinson

Fontana Unified School District

Nicole Robinson has dedicated over 25 years to the Fontana Unified School District, with a career specialized in transforming dance education and ensuring equitable access to the arts for all students. As a dancer, teacher, choreographer, and advocate, Nicole has demonstrated her commitment to student success and a passion for developing inclusive, high-quality arts education.

Nicole’s vision and passion has transformed the presence of dance education in FUSD. She founded the A. B. Miller Dance Program and later established the A. B. Miller Conservatory of Dance, providing tuition-free training to marginalized students and increasing diversity in the field. Through her leadership of the FUSD Dance Collaborative, she built a district-wide PK-8 dance education program, ensuring students have a strong foundation for high school and career pathways in the arts.

She also directs and produces A. B. Miller’s dance concerts, supervises guest artists and oversees curriculum alignment as Department Chair for Visual and Performing Arts, ensuring FUSD’s arts programs are comprehensive and of the highest quality.

Beyond FUSD, Nicole’s influence extends nationally. As President of the California Dance Education Association and a Content Director for the Connected Arts Network, she advocates for equity and inclusion in arts education. Her work has earned her prestigious recognitions, including the 2024 National Dance Education Organization’s National K-12 Leadership Award and the 2017 Carlston Family Foundation Teacher of the Year.

Nicole Robinson’s legacy showcases her unwavering commitment to arts education. Her work has helped reach many students, including communities that are underserved, created pathways for future artists, and ensured that all students have the opportunity to succeed.

Student Alumni

Lynne Kennedy

Chaffey Joint Union High School District

Dr. Lynne B. Kennedy has had a professional career spanning over four decades as an educator, school administrator and civic leader. She began her journey in education in 1976 as a math teacher at a junior high school and soon rose through the ranks, serving as an assistant principal, principal, Associate Superintendent, and Superintendent. After retiring in 2012, she became Executive Director of the Alliance for Education for San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, fostering partnerships among business, labor, government, and education to improve the Inland Empire’s quality of life. She retired again in 2019, concluding a 40-year career that left a lasting impact on students, educators and communities.

As Chaffey Joint Union High School District’s Executive Director of Equity and Inclusion, Dr. Kennedy has championed policies ensuring all students have access to high-quality education and support. Her ability to bridge gaps, engage stakeholders, and champion systemic change has strengthened CJUHSD’s commitment to inclusivity and student success. Dr. Kennedy was instrumental in founding CJUHSD’s African American Parent Advisory Committee, creating a vital space for parents to engage, advocate and collaborate with district leadership. This initiative has empowered families and strengthened the bridge between home and school, ensuring that parent perspectives shape district decision-making.

Beyond education, Dr. Kennedy serves as Rancho Cucamonga’s Mayor Pro Tem and is a charter member of the San Bernardino Valley Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, advocating for marginalized communities. Her work, defined by equity, innovation and student success, unites education and public policy to support students, families and regional well-being.