STATE NEWS
CSEY AWARDS
Three CSEA members honored with state California School Employees of the Year awards
Three CSEA members honored with state California School Employees of the Year awards
State Superintendent, Association President credit members for their devotion during unprecedented times
Even though the California Department of Education (CDE) couldn’t hold their annual Classified School Employees of the Year event in person with the traditional fanfare, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond said “we would remiss if we didn’t even remotely stop to say thank you for how grateful to each of you for what you do for each of our 6.5 million students and their families,” during the first ever virtual awards event on December 3. The event was hosted by the CDE and the California School Employees Association as well as California Casualty, whose sponsorship allows us to support and promote this important recognition program.
That morning, six outstanding classified employees from the following categories were honored for their dedication to California’s public-school students: Child Nutrition; Maintenance, Operations and Facilities; Office and Technical Support; Paraeducator and Instructional Assistance; Support Services and Security; and Transportation. Thurmond also nominated one of the six for the Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Award, a national honor which will be announced by the U.S. Department of Education this spring.
Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction
“This is an unprecedented time and each and every one of you in each of the capacities that you work and in each of the categories that you are recognized, it is just understated how important what you do is." Thurmond said.
“As I looked at the categories again that we are recognizing, each of these are essential functions in our schools that are so critical.”
Three CSEA members were honored for their exemplary work and achievements.
“As a classified school employee myself, I know that our students and our colleagues rely on us to keep their schools running and keep kids learning. That has never been more apparent than right now,” Association President Ben Valdepeña said in his opening remarks. “Every day, classified staff are reporting to their school sites to serve their communities by keeping track of student attendance; ensuring laptops, hotspots and networks are running smoothly for distance learning; keeping facilities clean and safe for those working on campus. We are also feeding not only the students but whole communities; and assisting certificated colleagues in the classroom to ensure their students are progressing in their education despite the challenges.”
He continued: “Those of you who are being honored today were selected because you exemplify the commitment classified staff have for their communities, the love they have for their students and the dedication they have for making the world a better place one child at a time. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition as Classified School Employee of the Year.”
Below are highlights from biographical sketches excerpted from the honorees’ nomination forms and speeches of the three CSEA awardees and, in some instances, remarks from those who introduced them:
Maintenance, Operations, and Facilities: Joel Magallon
At a very young age, Joel had to work to put food on the table for his family. At the age of 20, he emigrated to the United States looking for a better opportunity. His first job was picking strawberries with his older brother. In 1997, Joel learned the trade of construction and carpentry through mentorship. Now, Joel can fix or repair anything.
Office and Technical: Estella Ramirez
In addition to being a California School Employee of the Year, Estella is also California’s nominee for the national Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Award. Now in its inaugural year, the new award honors and promotes the excellence exhibited by classified school employees who provide exemplary service to students, and will be announced in spring 2021 by the U.S. Department of Education.
Paraeducator and Instructional Assistance: Dario Gonzalez
Dario is known as the “go-to” person for anything and absolutely everything. In addition to being in charge of attendance, he also works on student behavior plans and intervention, student awards, and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
In closing, Superintendent Thurmond reflected: “It is such a touching moment to hear the stories of the presenters about each of our honorees. … What is so evident is your love for children. It just came through in each of your stories and your experiences. The very common theme that we hear all the time about many of our classified employees really being longstanding members of the district and the backbone of the district but also longstanding members of the communities they are a part of.”
He concluded: “We all serve in times that are difficult, in times when sometimes your efforts go unappreciated but I want you to know that we see you and we appreciate you and are grateful for you. … Thank you all for giving us a chance to really stop, reflect and recognize these great leaders and great educators. “