2025 Changemaker for Children Award: Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, Ph.D.

Dr. Mary Ann Dewan came to the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) in 2013 serving first as chief schools officer, and then from 2018-2024 as county superintendent of schools. From the beginning, our county’s children, youth, and families have benefited from her collaborative leadership, generous spirit, and problem-solving skills. With a commitment to equity, kindness, and the success of all students, Dr. Dewan has worked tirelessly to serve, inspire, and promote student and public school success. Here are some of her accomplishments:

• Ensured the County Board of Education had a student board member representing the court and community schools.

• Implemented youth civic engagement for our students at the court schools. A James Ranch student was the first student in a California court school to earn the State Seal of Civic Engagement on their diploma.

• Led efforts to ensure student and youth voice was at the center of change efforts in the county. This included the Student Wellness Advisory Group, a county-wide group of young people advising on policies for mental and behavioral health.

• Rolled out a campaign to destigmatize mental health called HeckaWell.

• Expanded and improved programs for juvenile court school students in partnership with the County to provide career technical education, dual credit/college enrollment, arts and music, culinary arts, wellness centers, on-site libraries, civic engagement and collaborated to improve the facilities such as the fitness center.

• Implemented programs and services to improve the provision of special education with inclusive practices and inclusionary instructional programs in SCCOE programs and throughout local school districts.

• Collaborated with legislators serving as a sponsor of bills and policy efforts to advance early care and education, improve outcomes for students with disabilities, expand school based mental health and wellness services, address mental health, behavioral health and wellness, increase access to educational opportunity and support whole child policy implementation

• Secured over a $100,000,000 in grants, donations, and contracts to lead local, regional and statewide efforts for mental health and wellness initiatives, Community Schools, Teacher Residency programs, inclusive early education expansion, digital equity, equity and access for students with disabilities, African American Students and English Language Learners, data systems and the Statewide System of Support to promote academic excellence and equity focused improvement efforts.

• Expanded opportunities for access to high quality preschool and childcare through partnerships with Early Edge, Educare of California at Silicon Valley, Strong Start, HeisingSimons, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, FIRST 5, and the Packard Foundation.

• Established an education campaign focused on increasing access to high quality, inclusive early learning called “Steps to Success.”

• Co-chaired the Foster Youth Task force with Supervisor Cindy Chavez.

• Authored an annual “Educator Housing Resource Booklet”  and convened five home-buyer session to assist educators with the high cost of housing in Silicon Valley.

• Provided support, leadership and guidance to ensure LGBTQ youth had the services they needed to thrive in school. This included establishing the first ever position of coordinator for LGBTQ youth at COE, developing model policies, and providing resource guides for schools including Out for Safe Schools

• Worked tirelessly during the COVID 19 crisis by leading regional efforts to coordinate communication support, training, and resource allocation for the six-county Bay Area region, coordinating with county offices of education and public health officers.

• Distributed millions of dollars in PPEs, COVID tests, cleaning supplies, masks, and learning supplies to schools, childcare centers, and community-based organizations

• Worked with FIRST 5, the Healthier Kids Foundation, and local government to ensure families had diapers, wipes, and formula during the pandemic. She also worked to bridge the digital divide and coordinated access to childcare for essential workers.

Even though she has left SCCOE, Dr. Dewan continues to co-chair the Santa Clara County Children’s Agenda and is chair of the Kids in Common board of directors. In these and other roles, we know Dr. Dewan will continue to lead and bring her wisdom and generosity to create a community where every child is safe, healthy, successful in learning, and thriving in life.