About me
Diann Kitamura is currently the Deputy Superinendent for the Sonoma County Office of Education. She served as superintendent of the Santa Rosa City Schools (SRCS) district since February 2016 and has worked in public education for the past 40 years. She continues this work in her retirement as a lecturer in the Leaders for Equity and Democracy (LEAD) doctoral program at U.C. Berkeley, the 21CLSA AAPI Affinity Group Lead for the Bay Area, and as a mentor/coach for Next Level Client Services (F3 Law).Superintendent Kitamura decided to become a teacher to ensure all children have access to quality education and an opportunity to learn and grow into purposeful and thoughtful individuals. She was inspired by her undocumented and immigrant grandparents who traveled to the United States to ensure the same for her. Dr. Kitamura’s mother was imprisoned with her parents and four siblings during World War II at the Amache Internment Camp for Japanese American Citizens. After being released from Amache, her mother endured prejudice, abuse, and isolation when she re-entered public school. This was a major influence on Diann’s decision to become a public educator.Among her accomplishments, Diann was awarded the Association of California School Administrator 2020 Ferd Kiesel Memorial Distinguished Award. This is the highest award ACSA presents to a California administrator. Dr. Kitamura is currently the CAAPLE representative for the ACSA Superintendent Council. She was appointed to the Fiscal Crisis Management Team (FCMAT) the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence Advisory Council, and the California School Boards Association (CSBA) Superintendents Advisory Council (2nd two-year term).
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