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Albany Education Foundation's
Hall of Fame Inductees 2026

These honorees have made substantive contributions to education and have had a lasting impact on the Albany community.  With these awards, AEF hopes to inspire the next generation of educators and education advocates. 

Join us on October 18th, 2026, at Marin School from 3:00 - 5:00 for our annual Hall of Fame "meet and greet" to celebrate all our inductees.  

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Becca Burns

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Since joining Albany High School in 2005, Becca Burns has been a trusted source of guidance, encouragement, and support for thousands of students and families. As both Career Coordinator and school counselor, she has expanded opportunities through career exploration while providing compassionate, individualized support to students. Her kindness, empathy, and unwavering commitment to student well-being have made her an indispensable part of the Albany High community.

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Robin Cooper

 

Robin Cooper has devoted more than 26 years to making science engaging, accessible, and meaningful for Albany Middle School students. She has mentored new teachers, chaired the Science Department, led the transition to the Next Generation Science Standards, and revitalized the AMS school garden. Her dedication to hands-on learning and inclusive instruction has enriched science education for countless students.

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Ronnie Davis

 

Ronnie Davis served as Albany Library Manager for more than three decades, expanding library programs, strengthening partnerships with Albany schools, and helping secure funding for a new library. Since retiring, she has continued inspiring students by volunteering at Marin Elementary, where she helps children create literature-based puppet productions. Her lifelong dedication to literacy, creativity, and public education has enriched generations of Albany families.

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Karen Fox-Reynolds

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Karen Fox-Reynolds devoted 26 years to Albany Unified, inspiring students through creative, hands-on learning that blended academics with the arts. Her acclaimed Albany's Past program and original play, How Albany Became a Town, introduced generations of students to their community's history and earned recognition from the Albany Historical Society. Even in retirement, Karen continues to bring Albany history to life for third-grade students, extending her remarkable legacy of education and community engagement.

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Jason Griffin​

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Jason Griffin has dedicated decades to Albany High School as both an alumnus and an exceptional coach. Building one of California's premier wrestling programs, he founded Albany's first Girls' Wrestling team and led athletes to section, state, and national championships while serving as a statewide advocate for the growth of girls' wrestling. His commitment to mentoring students, improving programs, and expanding opportunities has left a lasting legacy in the Albany community.

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Dax Kajiwara

 

​Dax Kajiwara is a proud Albany High School graduate whose lifelong commitment to Albany Unified has strengthened both its schools and its community. During his 13 years in the Technology Department, he modernized the district's technology infrastructure, supported every major construction project, and also gave back as a longtime basketball coach. A second generation AEF Hall of Fame inductee, his technical expertise, leadership, and spirit of service have left a lasting impact on generations of Albany students and staff.

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Felicia Lien

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Felicia Lien has welcomed and supported Albany families through her many roles at the Albany Children's Center and the Albany Unified School District. As enrollment coordinator, she has guided nearly every new student entering the district over the past decade, ensuring families feel informed, valued, and connected from the very beginning. Her kindness, professionalism, and dedication to service have made her an essential and beloved member of the Albany Unified community.

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Harriet Morrison

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Harriet was an exemplary first grade teacher .  She started hundreds of students on their way to being life long readers. Harriet was a beloved teacher at Cornell.  She was a mentor teacher  inspiring new teachers.She was very active and in the leadership of the Bay Area Writing Project.

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Dante Moseley

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Dante Moseley is a compassionate special education paraeducator who makes every student feel valued, supported, and included. Through his calm demeanor and genuine care, he helps students build confidence while creating meaningful opportunities for inclusion alongside their peers. His kindness, patience, and unwavering commitment have made him an invaluable member of the Albany High School community.

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Joan Post

 

Joan spent most of her career as a beloved second grade teacher at Vista Elementary School. With a master’s degree in Special Education, she was an advocate for every child. From caring for classroom pets (Cindy the rat and an aquarium of mealworms) to inviting families to share their cultural traditions, she inspired curiosity, compassion, and inclusion. On especially good days, she celebrated by dancing on the table to her students’ delight. In retirement, she continued serving on the AEF Board and substitute teaching.Teaching was not just her work—it was her calling.

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Bob Pressnall

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Bob Pressnall dedicated 30 years to Albany Middle School, where he founded the 8th Grade English-History Core program and inspired generations of students through the I-Search project. A leader in literacy education, he also served as Co-Director of the UC Berkeley Bay Area Writing Project and mentored countless teachers and student teachers. His passion for teaching, service as a Vietnam veteran, and belief that "Everybody Teaches, Everybody Learns" left a lasting impact on Albany students and educators.

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Christopher Rigney

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Christopher Rigney has inspired Albany Middle School students by making technology, coding, and computer science engaging, relevant, and accessible. Throughout his career, he has developed innovative STEM programs, including the popular "Coding for Kids" initiative, while continually expanding his own expertise to better serve students. His creativity, leadership, and dedication have introduced countless students to future careers in technology and left a lasting legacy throughout Albany Unified.

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Malinda Ripley-Griffin

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Since joining the Albany High coaching staff in 2015, Malinda Ripley-Griffin has inspired student-athletes through her leadership, mentorship, and commitment to excellence. Alongside Jason Griffin, she has guided Albany wrestlers to section, state, and national success while also leading the California Women's National Team to more than 25 national championships. Her dedication to empowering young athletes has made a lasting impact on Albany and beyond.

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Martha Schneidau

 

Martha Schneidau served Albany Unified for more than 20 years as a Special Day Class teacher, helping students discover their strengths while overcoming challenges. Her compassion, advocacy, and unwavering commitment made a lasting difference for students, families, and colleagues alike. Even in retirement, she continues supporting students through the Albany Adult Transition Program, where many of her former elementary students now thrive as young adults.

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Joan Sextro

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Joan Sextro has been a passionate advocate for Albany students as both a Kindergarten through high school educator and community leader, helping found Citizens of Albany to Rescue Education. As a beloved music teacher from 1990 to 2005, she inspired generations of students through choir, musical theater, and performance tours across the country. A professional opera singer herself, her lifelong dedication to music education and educational advocacy has left an enduring legacy in the Albany community.

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Gail Shea

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A longtime Albany resident, Gail Shea built a life rooted in family, community, and professional excellence. An exceptionally talented technical writer and legal editor, she worked closely with AEF helping set up important documents, annual updates and correspondence.  Remembered for her intelligence, dedication, and quiet impact on those around her, Gail left a lasting legacy in both her profession and her community before her passing in 2019.  Gail was a big supporter of athletics in the Albany schools.

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Jeff Shea

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Jeff Shea was one of the organizers of the first ever Albany Community Triathlon in 2008. He was a strong advocate for school sports and served as co-chairman of the Albany High School Athletic Boosters in the 2000’s.  Jeff and his wife Gail were big supporters of school athletics in Albany and Jeff continued to help out with the AlbanyTri organization and attended every event through 2019 despite his failing health.  Jeff was also super involved with the Albany High track team, advocating for track upgrades and volunteering lots of time with the team.

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Bill Treseler

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Bill Treseler has provided outstanding leadership as Albany Unified's Athletic Director while continuing his long and successful career as Head Coach of the Albany High School Boys Basketball program. Under his leadership, athletic opportunities have expanded, creating meaningful experiences for student-athletes across the district. His dedication to students, coaches, and athletic excellence has strengthened a culture of teamwork, sportsmanship, and school pride.

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Corrie Winnacker

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Corrie Winnacker has been a dedicated Marin Elementary teacher since 2001 while also serving as one of Albany's most committed parent and community volunteers. She has led and supported countless school traditions, fundraisers, athletic programs, and community events that have strengthened Albany schools for more than two decades. Her enthusiasm, creativity, and spirit of service have enriched the educational experience of students, families, and staff throughout Albany Unified.

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Albany Athletic Boosters

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The Albany Athletic Boosters have long supported Albany Unified student-athletes through fundraising, volunteer leadership, and community partnerships. Their efforts have provided equipment, uniforms, facility improvements, and other resources that expand opportunities for students across all athletic programs. Their ongoing commitment has strengthened Albany athletics and enriched the educational experience of countless students.

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