Pomona Educator Recognized for Regional Leadership in Afterschool Programs
POMONA, Calif. — Pomona Unified School District (PUSD) announced that Alan Pantanini, Director of Expanded Learning Programs, was named the recipient of the 2026 California Expanded Learning Innovative Leadership Award for Region 11, representing Los Angeles County.
The award was formally presented during the statewide Lights On Afterschool celebration in Sacramento. The honor recognizes Pantanini's administrative efforts in restructuring and expanding extended-day learning, student enrichment, and working-family support infrastructure across the district.
Career Advancement and Program Consolidation
Pantanini began his career at Pomona Unified in 1996 as an elementary school classroom teacher. Over his three-decade tenure within the district, he worked as a Teacher on Assignment, Assistant Principal, and elementary school Principal for nearly 20 years prior to his appointment as Director of Expanded Learning Programs in 2023.
Upon assuming departmental leadership, Pantanini spearheaded a structural reorganization that consolidated 17 independent site-level afterschool projects into a single, unified districtwide system operated through the district's Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) and The Learning Connection (TLC). Under this framework, PUSD expanded student access to academic intervention, STEM and esports enrichment, and organized youth sports partnerships.
District Recognition and Standards
Dr. Lisa Nashua, President of the Pomona Unified Board of Education, cited the broader educational impact of the consolidated program on local families.
"Alan's leadership reflects the very best of Pomona Unified and our commitment to providing every student with opportunities to succeed," Nashua said. "His dedication to our students and families has helped create a program that extends learning beyond the classroom and ensures more children have access to meaningful educational experiences."
Pomona Unified Superintendent Darren Knowles noted that the institutional changes brought standardized quality benchmarks and administrative oversight to out-of-school programs across all district elementary and secondary campuses.
Commentary from Pantanini emphasized the programmatic transition toward integrating extended learning into core academic frameworks.
"Expanded learning should be a core educational service with the same planning, quality standards, and accountability as the school day," Pantanini stated. "Most of all, it reminds me that every family now has the same opportunity, and that matters more to me than any award."