Principal Dimitric Roseboro leads Aptos Middle School with a steadfast commitment to academic excellence and a deep appreciation for the arts. Under his leadership, Aptos has embraced its identity as a premier performing arts middle school, aiming to prepare students to master academic standards, demonstrate 21st-century skills, and develop unique perspectives to navigate high school and the world with a sense of purpose. By fostering an environment where the arts are integral to the curriculum, Principal Roseboro ensures that students not only achieve academic success but also develop creativity and critical thinking skills essential for their future endeavors.

Damian Núñez  in addition to his work as a dedicated arts coordinator for Thurgood Marshal High School, Damian consistently goes above and beyond to uplift his students and share their talents with the broader community. His willingness to take students out to perform at various events has inspired not only the audiences they reach but also other educators across our district. As both a teacher and a mentor, Damian leads with heart, creativity, and an unwavering belief in the power of the arts to transform lives. His commitment to fostering student growth and building community through performance makes him an outstanding role model and a true ambassador for the arts.

Paolo Salazar has demonstrated exceptional commitment to revitalizing the Arts at Lincoln High School. While earning his single subject art credential, he has simultaneously breathed new life into the school's art and architecture programming, enriching the creative experience for students. Beyond the classroom, Mr. Salazar has gone above and beyond by volunteering his time to serve on the School Site Council and sponsoring three thriving art and culture clubs, each providing students with vital opportunities for creative expression and cultural connection. His energy, vision, and unwavering dedication to arts education have made him an indispensable member of the Lincoln art department and a powerful advocate for student voice and creativity. Mr. Salazar embodies the spirit of an Arts Ambassador and is most deserving of this recognition.

Band Director at Burton High School, is a passionate educator, skilled musician, and dedicated mentor who has transformed the music program into a dynamic and inclusive space for student expression. Under his leadership, the band has grown in both size and quality, providing students with consistent opportunities to perform, collaborate, and build confidence through music. Mr. Young brings not only technical expertise but also a deep commitment to nurturing young talent, meeting students where they are, and inspiring them to reach their full potential. His ability to foster discipline, creativity, and community through music education makes him an invaluable asset to the San Francisco Unified School District and a powerful advocate for the arts in public education.

With an unwavering dedication to arts education spanning over 47 years, Nancy Gittleman exemplifies what it means to be an Arts Ambassador. Nancy’s journey began at the age of eight, teaching her dolls and dreaming of becoming both a teacher and an artist. That dream took root in a degree in Ceramics and Art Education with a focus on working with people with disabilities—laying the foundation for a lifetime of service through the arts.

Nancy’s contributions stretch across continents and communities. From Louisville, Kentucky to Niger, West Africa (as a Peace Corps volunteer), to cities like Chicago, New York, and across the San Francisco Bay Area, she has exhibited her work and enriched lives through art. Her commitment to equity in the arts has led her to write and secure grants that brought creative opportunities to underserved populations in each of these communities.

Her teaching career is a vibrant mosaic, including students from preschoolers to senior citizens in settings as diverse as public and private schools, juvenile detention centers, hospitals, rehabilitation institutes, museums, community centers, and international conferences. She has also provided teacher trainings and workshops for administrators and arts leaders around the world, always advocating for inclusive, high-quality arts education.

Nancy continues to explore and grow as an artist, regularly attending workshops and learning from master ceramicists around the world. Her lifelong passion for ceramics still burns bright, and her legacy as a teacher, mentor, and cultural connector continues to inspire those around her.

Nancy Gittleman’s enduring passion, expansive reach, and fierce commitment to accessibility in the arts make her a truly deserving candidate for the Arts Ambassador Award.

As a former SFUSD student, she was fortunate to learn from many amazing and caring teachers who made education truly inspirational throughout my elementary, middle, and high school years. Their impact stayed with her, and she has carried that spirit into her own journey as an educator. She hopes that, in turn, she has  been able to inspire my students and community in the same meaningful way.

Gustavo A. Avila Ordonez is an outstanding choice for an  SFUSD Arts Ambassador. A newcomer from Honduras, Gustavo has quickly become a standout artist in our school, impressing peers and instructors with his innate talent despite having no formal training. His natural ability to grasp complex artistic concepts, such as color theory and design principles, is truly remarkable.

Gustavo’s talent extends beyond his own artwork. He actively assists his classmates with design and color combinations, sharing his knowledge in a way that helps others improve their own work. His guidance has made him a valuable resource for many of his peers, and his willingness to teach reflects his deep understanding of art and his leadership within the community.

In his personal work, Gustavo’s commitment is evident. He approaches each project with care and precision, consistently creating harmonious and sophisticated color palettes. His technical skill is matched by his emotional investment in his craft, making his art both visually appealing and deeply meaningful.

Gustavo’s dedication goes beyond the classroom; while many of his peers spend free time on other activities, he devotes lunch and advisory periods to furthering his artistic skills. His passion for art is inspiring, and his willingness to help others demonstrates his generous spirit and collaborative mindset.

Gustavo is a true leader in the arts community. His talent, work ethic, and dedication to supporting his peers make him a deserving recipient of the SFUSD Arts Ambassador Award.

Adriana is a proud Peruvian student at Thurgood Marshall Academic High School, where she has been an active member of the music program since 2022. As a young woman pursuing music, Adriana has bravely stepped into a space where female musicians are still too often underrepresented—especially in genres like mariachi. Her commitment, talent, and determination have allowed her to not only meet expectations but to exceed them, performing in both the school band and mariachi ensemble. Adriana’s journey is a powerful example of perseverance and passion. She continues to break barriers and inspire others through her artistry, proving that with courage and dedication, young women can lead and thrive in any musical tradition. 

Ben has developed an incredible passion for art this year. He went from having a minimal interest in art to spending a minimum of one hour per day creating his abstract pieces. Ben’s parents have reported that he is always looking for paper and markers and using every free moment to draw. This outlet has greatly improved Ben's behavior, participation, confidence, and communication at school and in the community during our program. As a non-verbal artist, Ben is so proud in showing off his pieces to his classmates and staff. In addition, he worked collaboratively with staff to mosaic and collage his pieces into large scale works that will showcased at A.C.T.'s Strand Theater. We are so proud of his artistic journey and his self-discovery of the artist within!!!

Sanseria Murray (she/they), lives to awaken, ignite, heal, and compel everyone she encounters through her words, her workshops, and her embrace. Sanseria is an accomplished poet, playwright, director, and teaching artist with over 20 years of experience in education. A word nerd, and lover of dark chocolate, Sanseria considers themself a storyteller with a deep conviction that the only way to our collective liberation is by living with a transformative and restorative, radical love ethic. Currently she is IMOD’s Educational Programs Manager, Sanseria has had a vast range of teaching experience: she has taught at the elementary level as a Speech and Poetry Coordinator, at the middle school level as a Theatre Arts Teacher, and at the high school level as a Theatre Arts and Literacy Teaching Artist. Sanseria joins in the mission of IMOD to serve student communities and educators by centering and celebrating Black percussive dance. 

Shark has been teaching music for 17 years and has been the director of Rock Project San Francisco supporting students of all ages and abilities across San Francisco.  Sharks students have gone on to be musicians at the Ruth Asawa School of the Arts as well as professional musicians living and performing in San Francisco.  For the past two years, Shark has worked with students in the AccessSFUSD Programs who serve students 18-22 with disabilities.  Shark has an innate sense of meeting the students where they are at, approaching everything with a strengths-based focus, teaching a variety of musical instruments, and bringing out the best in his musicians!