Dr. Lily Matos DeBlieux is being honored on April 25th in Washington, D.C. as the 2018 ALAS Leaders in Education Hispanic Serving School District Superintendent of the Year. According to Nancy Lewin, the Executive Director of ALAS, “The committee was very impressed with Lily’s application, her work, her passion and commitment to education and her continued involvement with ALAS. The selection was very competitive, and she is to be congratulated on receiving this prestigious award.”
Dr. DeBlieux is the first bi-lingual, Latina leader of the Pendergast School District located in Avondale, Glendale and Phoenix, Arizona. She is a leader who listens to others; problem solves and figures out a way to make things happen. Her transformational style has turned around classrooms, students, schools and districts and made them into successful ventures where everyone is engaged and student achievement has increased. Upon becoming superintendent of the Pendergast District, she harnessed the power of the community in a strategic planning process and has initiated many amazing programs to benefit students, staff members, families and the community.
Additionally, DeBlieux has been honored with awards including: The Non-Profit Leader of the Year from Leadership West, West Valley Woman of the Year and The Arizona Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (AZALAS) Superintendent of the Year.
According to Governing Board President Senator Martin Quezada, “Lily is a visionary leader whom I have the privilege of working closely with. She invests countless hours in her job and her community to leave a lasting legacy. We celebrate her and her achievements and are deeply grateful for her commitment to education in Pendergast District.”