Lisette Estrella-Henderson, has served as an Educator in Solano County for over 36 years. She grew up in a military family and was raised in Solano County. After graduating from local schools, she attended Solano Community College and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Davis, and a Master’s degree in Education from the California State University, Sacramento. In addition to her California Teaching Credential, she also holds her Bilingual Specialist and Administrative Services Credentials and is a certified leadership coach.
Lisette’s career began in the Dixon Unified School District where she worked for over 20 years in a variety of teaching and administrative capacities. For the past 16 years, she has worked with the Solano County Office of Education (SCOE) in various roles of increasing responsibility. In January of 2017, Lisette became the Solano County Superintendent of Schools. As the first Hispanic County Superintendent in Solano’s history and only the second female to hold the position, Lisette endeavors to inspire young people to believe in themselves and confidently reach for and achieve their goals, no matter how big their dreams may seem.
Lisette proudly represents K-12 public education as an active member of several local, regional, statewide, and national organizations including the: Vacaville Neighborhood Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors; First 5 Solano Children and Families Commission; Solano Economic Development Corporation; Solano Partnership Against Violence; Solano Community Corrections Partnership; Solano Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council; Solano Coalition for Better Health; Solano County Children System of Care Interagency Leadership Team; Solano County Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparities Steering Committee; Travis Credit Union Hispanic Advisory Committee; Solano Community College Educational Foundation Board of Directors; Solano Kids Thrive; local Chambers of Commerce; California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA); Association of California School Administrators (ACSA); U.C. Davis Computing, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (C-STEM) Girls in Robotics Leadership (GIRL) Advisory Board; and the California Collaborative for Education Excellence Advisory Council.
Lisette’s broad knowledge, experience, and leadership abilities have earned her local, statewide, and national respect and recognition including the following awards:
- 2021 Mosaic Award, Touro University California
- 2020 Superintendent of the Year, Region 1, California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA)
- 2019 C-STEM Administrator of the Year, U.C. Davis
- 2018 Woman of the Year, Congressman John Garamendi, 3rd Congressional District
- Women In School Leadership Award, American Association of School Administrators (AASA) & Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
- Outstanding Woman Leader Award, Association of California School Administrators (ACSA)
- Community Recognition Award, La Raza Lawyers Association of Solano
- Distinguished Alumni Award, Solano Community College Alumni Association
- Curriculum and Instruction Administrator of the Year, Local, Regional, and Statewide, ACSA
- Distinguished Educator Award, Dixon Unified School District (twice honored)
- Woman of Distinction Award, Soroptimist International of Dixon
Additionally, her expertise has appeared in numerous publications, and she has presented at conferences within the community, in our region, throughout the State, and across the United States.
Lisette is a proud mother of an adult daughter and lives in Vacaville with her husband of 34 years.