2022 STars hall of fame

Kent Kern

Superintendent, San Juan Unified School District, Retired

LeGette Elementary School | Arcade MS | Bella Vista HS

A proud product of San Juan Unified schools, Kent Kern dedicated his entire professional career to the district that raised him—culminating in his appointment as the tenth superintendent of schools in 2014 and retired in 2023.

Kern began teaching at Will Rogers Middle School in 1993, later moving through leadership roles at Arden, Starr King, and Carnegie Middle Schools. Known for strengthening instructional technology, cross-school collaboration, and data-informed practices, he brought those same priorities district-wide in roles spanning operations, student support, and ultimately superintendent.

As superintendent, he championed equity, system-wide collaboration, and student-centered innovation. Kern holds a BA in Communication Studies from CSU Sacramento, a Master’s in Education from the University of La Verne, and multiple credentials in teaching and administration. He lives in Roseville with his wife and two children.