Dr. Raul Maldonado is going on 12 years’ service as Superintendent of Schools for the Palmdale School District. He is well known throughout California as an innovative and inspirational leader, experienced in transforming school and district cultures with a proven record of markedly improving student achievement. In November 2021, the Association of California School Administrators honored Dr. Raul Maldonado with its Marcus Foster Memorial Award for Administrator Excellence, given annually to one educator who takes risks to improve educational opportunities, practices an inclusive management style, and tries new ideas to reach out to students. On May 28, 2025, the Latino Film Institute, during its Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival, at Hollywood’s Chinese Theatre, presented Dr. Maldonado with its inaugural Adelante! Award celebrating Excellence in Education. Dr. Maldonado is the 2023-2025 President of the California Association of Bilingual Educators (CABE). Dr. Maldonado brought YCP to the Palmdale School District, where he has created an instructional pathway, A-G and CTE-qualified from the 5th through 12th grade.
