San Diego State University has awarded Sweetwater Union High School District superintendent Karen Janney with the Monty Award, a recognition that is given to distinguished alumni.
Janney, 62, was one of 10 recipients in the class of 2017 that was honored on Oct.8 at SDSU’s Don Powell Theater.
The other honorees were: Christine Probett; Daniel Goddard; Darla K. Anderson; Robert Kain; Mark Snell; Dorothy L.W. Smith; Kathleen Lang; Bill Earley; and John Kolek.
SDSU’s Dean of Education Joe Johnson nominated Janney for the Monty Award.
Janney admits she was not aware the Monty Award existed until she was notified that she would receive the honor.
She said she was shocked to have received the award.
“When I looked at the other people who were awarded this year, I said oh my gosh’ why am I there?’ so I felt pretty impressed to be with a special group of people for this year’s Monty Award,” she said.
Dan Montoya, assistant vice president of SDSU Alumni, said Janney deserves the Monty Award for turning around the Sweetwater District after a corruption scandal put the district in a negative light when four of five board members were forced to resign and faced corruption charges.
“She really revitalized the Sweetwater Union School District from its turmoil not too long ago,” he said. “She’s really been transformational in that.”
Montoya also highlighted the work Janney has done with the Compact For Success Program and its RISE program.
Janney said while she is the award recipient, the recognition should really go to everyone at the district from teachers, staff and classified employees because they are the ones who brought the district out of turmoil, she said.
“(The award) is not about me but about us,” she said.
Janney started SDSU’S educational leadership program at 52 years old and finished it up at 55. She got her doctorate late in life because she didn’t have time to pursue it sooner, especially when she was a high school principal.
