The Los Angeles County Office of Education is proud to announce that Dr. Brian Markarian, Superintendent of the Hawthorne School District, has been named the 2026 Los Angeles County Superintendent of the Year.

The honor recognizes Dr. Markarian’s more than two decades of service to the District, where he has held roles ranging from teacher and principal to district administrator. Under his leadership, the District has prioritized the academic and social-emotional wellbeing of its 6,700 students, while championing equitable, inclusive practices to ensure supplemental educational services reach every student who needs them.

"Dr. Markarian’s humility, his profound care for the young people in this community, and his unmatched operational excellence make him truly deserving of this recognition," said Dr. Debra Duardo, Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools. "His leadership represents the very best of what it means to serve a school community, with heart, integrity and an unrelenting commitment to every student's success."

“To be recognized for work that has meant so much to me throughout my career is incredibly humbling," said Dr. Brian Markarian. "Hawthorne is more than the District I serve. It is a community that has shaped me as an educator and as a leader. I share this honor with our Board of Trustees, our dedicated employees, and the students and families who inspire us each day to fulfill our promise of supporting Every Student, Every Day.”

Dr. Markarian earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Stonehill College, a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from California State University, Northridge and an Educational Doctorate from the University of Southern California. He has also taught fiscal and human resources coursework, expertise he has applied directly to district leadership.

Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Markarian’s leadership and dedication to public education have been recognized locally and statewide. Among his many honors, he was named Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 14 Superintendent of the Year in 2024, received the Lifetime Leader in Latino Education Award in 2023, was recognized as the California ACSA Curriculum and Instruction Administrator of the Year in 2015 and received the Hawthorne School District Roger G. Bly Leadership Award in 2011. His commitment to educational leadership extends beyond Hawthorne through his longstanding involvement and leadership with ACSA.

While these awards and accomplishments speak to the impact of his leadership, the people who work alongside him point first to the relationships he has built. Colleagues and community members alike point to his accessibility and humility as defining traits. Dr. Markarian is known for shaking students' hands and engaging them in conversation, attending school events and dance recitals, and speaking directly with families, building the kind of trust that bridges administrative leadership and the local community. His approach has also fostered a culture of transparency and professional growth that has strengthened staff retention across the District.

Dr. Markarian’s career is a testament to the power of dedicated public service and to what can be accomplished when a leader invests not only in an organization, but in its people. With Hawthorne at the heart of his work, Dr. Markarian continues to lead with purpose, compassion and an unwavering commitment to the District’s promise of supporting Every Student, Every Day.

The Los Angeles County Superintendent of the Year award was introduced in 2017 by the Los Angeles County Office of Education in recognition of leadership in learning, excellence in communication and dedicated community involvement. Superintendent Markarian will be honored at the Superintendents' Professional Collaborative Conference next month.