MUSD Educators Honored by ADL Tri-Counties for Advancing No Place for Hate Initiative
From left, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services Dr. Jane Wagmeister, ADL Tri-Counties Regional Director Dan Meisel and Peach Hill Academy Principal Vanessa Vega at the Sept. 10 awards ceremony during the Moorpark Unified School Board meeting.
(Moorpark, California) Sept. 11, 2024—ADL (Anti-Defamation League) Tri-Counties named Peach Hill Academy Principal Vanessa Vega and Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services Dr. Jane Wagmeister as Co-Educators of the Year for 2024.
The awards were presented during last night’s Board of Education meeting.
The ADL Tri-Counties, which serves Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, established the Educator of the Year Award to recognize educational leaders who further ADL’s mission to “stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Sponsored by the Ruth and Herman Hausman Education Endowment Fund, the award includes a $1,150 grant to support the recipients’ continued efforts to create more inclusive, safe school environments.
Mrs. Vega, who served as assistant principal at Chaparral Middle School last year, was instrumental in implementing the ADL’s No Place for Hate initiative at the school.
“As someone who is part of a minority group and a parent of children in MUSD schools, I entered this field because of my love for working with students and understanding the importance of nurturing the whole child—not just academically, but also socially and emotionally,” Principal Vega said. “Receiving the ADL Educator of the Year Award alongside Dr. Wagmeister is incredibly humbling because I didn't pursue this path for recognition.”
She led programs and lessons designed to help students confront difficult topics such as identity, microaggressions and bullying. Using ADL resources, she introduced lessons titled “Gossip, Rumors, and Identity,” “Intent vs. Impact” and “Living and Playing with a Disability.” These lessons encouraged students to have open and honest discussions about their experiences, and the program helped build a sense of safety and belonging at Chaparral.
“This award is a testament to the collaborative efforts of our administration, teachers, counselors and the invaluable support from the district,” Mrs. Vega said. “This training really helps students get a grasp on what empathy and sympathy mean, and how important they are in shaping how we treat each other. By focusing on restorative justice, we're giving them the tools to understand and improve their behavior, which makes our school a more caring place.”
In her district-wide role, Dr. Wagmeister was a driving force behind bringing anti-bias and anti-hate education to MUSD schools.
“Our commitment to the 'No Place for Hate' program shows our district’s values. We stand for the dignity and respect of every individual. Whether it's student-to-student or staff-to-staff, we believe the way you treat yourself and the way you treat others truly matters in our school community,” Dr. Wagmeister said.
She oversaw the training of staff and students across the district in partnership with the ADL, organizing nearly 30 facilitated sessions in 2022 and 2023. As a result, all three middle schools in the district—Chaparral, Mesa Verde, and Campus Canyon—received their No Place for Hate designations for the 2023-24 school year, a significant achievement in the district’s commitment to fostering inclusive environments.
“This training fosters a school culture in which students are taught to recognize bullying, harassment, racism, antisemitism or any other form of hate, so they have the tools to stand up for their classmates when they see these types of behaviors. We’re creating a school community of upstanders. In a world full of increasingly dangerous rhetoric and rising hate crimes, all of our efforts are not only worthwhile—they are necessary for our students to help build a better future,” Dr. Wagmeister said.
One of Dr. Wagmeister’s most notable contributions this year was bringing the production of the Holocaust-themed play “Survivors” to the district for all eighth-grade students to experience. The play, based on testimonies from ten Holocaust survivors, highlighted the horrors of the Holocaust while drawing connections to modern-day challenges of bullying and hate. Dr. Wagmeister managed the event’s logistics, securing funding, preparing students and organizing guest speakers, including the play’s creator.
“Receiving the Educator of the Year Award from ADL is a testament to the outstanding contributions of Dr. Wagmeister and Mrs. Vega in championing the No Place for Hate model,” Superintendent Dr. Kelli Hays said. “They have both set a powerful example of what it means to lead with compassion and commitment. Their dedication to creating safe, welcoming spaces in our schools has had a profound impact on our students' lives. This recognition celebrates their hard work and the lasting legacy of inclusivity and respect they are building within our district.
ADL Tri-Counties Regional Director Dan Meisel praised both Mrs. Vega and Dr. Wagmeister for their dedication to advancing the ADL’s mission within Moorpark Unified School District: “The work that these two educators have accomplished is truly inspiring. Their commitment to creating safe, inclusive environments where all students can thrive sets a strong example for other districts. It’s clear that their leadership has made a lasting impact on the district, and we’re honored to recognize them as Co-Educators of the Year.”
ADL Co-Educators of the Year Dr. Jane Wagmeister and Peach Hill Academy Principal Vanessa Vega are joined by the Moorpark Unified School District Board, Superintendent Dr. Kelli Hays and ADL Tri-Counties Regional Director Dan Meisel.