Irene Sumida

Before joining Fenton Avenue Charter School, Ms. Sumida served the Los Angeles Unified School District for twenty-seven years in a variety of capacities including assistant principal, coordinator, classroom and mentor teacher. In July 1993, the year Fenton Avenue Elementary was authorized by LAUSD to convert to independent charter status, she became the Director of Instruction and then the sole Director in 2005. Under Ms. Sumida’s direction, the CMO, Fenton Charter Public Schools was established to continue the growth of the Fenton schools. She is a member of the Board of CharterWorks, served as the Chair of the Board of Directors of CCSA, continues to serve as a board member of CCSA Advocates, CharterSafe, and the Board of Directors of the Charter and Autonomous Schools Leadership Academy (CASLA). Ms. Sumida was awarded a Hart Vision Award in 1997 for her leadership role in the California Charter Schools Movement. Fenton Avenue Charter School is the 2013 Hart Vision Charter School of the Year.

Ms. Sumida received the Legacy Award at the 20th Annual Charter Schools Conference. The Legacy Awards were created to celebrate those outstanding charter school supporters, funders, operators and elected officials who have been stewards of the movement over the last 20 years. Each Legacy Award winner represents the hope and dedication of two generations of California Charter School students.