The SCV Education Foundation honors 2019 Hall of Fame Inductees Clyde Smyth and Dr. Marc Winger Honored

The SCV Education Foundation (SCVEF) is proud to announce that Clyde Smyth and Dr. Marc Winger were inducted into the Education Fall of Fame during the foundation’s annual Principal for a Day event. The Education Hall of Fame looks to honor those who have demonstrated measurable influence and made significant contributions to the growth and development of education in the Santa Clarita Valley. Winger and Smyth joins past honorees Jim Backer (2017), Donna Avila and Tom Lee (2018).
Clyde Smyth served in the army during the Korean Conflict, received a doctorate in Education from BYU, and worked in the Pasadena School district in the ’50s and ’60s, before becoming principal of Placerita Junior High in 1969.  In 1974, he took the helm as Superintendent of the Hart School District, a position he held for 18 years. Smyth passed away in 2012. During his time as Superintendent, Clyde was the founder of a fledgling group designed to bring business and the community together to support public education. That group turned into the SCV Education Foundation. Clyde’s legacy with the foundation is Teacher Tribute which he came up with as a way to honor outstanding teachers on an annual basis. Teacher Tribute has been held for the last 35 years. Mr. Jim Backer of JSB Development and SCVEF board president, presented Mr. Smyth’s award to his son Cameron and wife Sue. As a “Champion” of Public Education in the Santa Clarita Valley and a committed Founder of our organization, we are honored to induct Clyde Smyth into the SCV Education Foundation Hall of Fame” stated Backer.
Marc Winger served as an elementary school teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent in Newhall, Burbank, and Sulphur Springs school districts. He was appointed superintendent of the Newhall School District in July 1997 and he retired in 2015, after 18 years as superintendent. Winger received his master’s and doctorate degrees from UCLA. Marc was an active member of the SCV Education Foundation for over 25 years and was the co-founder of the SCV Education Foundation’s Principal for a Day event which was first held in 1992. He worked with all five local school districts to ensure 100% of our public schools across this valley participated in the opening event. Marc was inducted by retired Assistant Superintendent and current SCVEF Board Member, Alexis Yannich, who stated, “While I was principal under Marc’s leadership, we learned so much about reaching out to the community and building those valuable partnerships. So many schools in this valley have benefitted from those business/school connections. We thank Marc for all his efforts and his involvement in this organization”.