SCCOE honors classified employees

SAN JOSE, CA – Five classified school employees have been selected to represent Santa Clara County in the 2010 statewide Classified School Employee of the Year Program.

Districts countywide submitted employee nominations, along with three letters of recommendation for each nominee, to the Santa Clara County Office of Education. The SCCOE received nominations for five of the six categories, and submitted one employee in each category to the California Department of Education.

The CDE in April will name statewide winners in each category.

The program honors the efforts of classified school employees, who play a vital role in creating a school environment that promotes student achievement, safety and health.

Below are the honorees in five categories, and excerpts from their nominations:

--Maintenance and Operations: Peter McKenna, Morgan Hill Unified School District

As supervisor of maintenance and operations, Peter has "done extraordinary things during these difficult budget conditions" to meet the district's needs. He significantly reduced garbage fees and solid waste levels by implementing a recycling program, and cut linen service costs by purchasing an in-house washing machine. "He gently leads by example, and since no task is below him, he easily inspires others to follow."

--Office and Technical: Teri Guida, Metropolitan Education District

As a site registrar, Teri "is the pleasant voice that greets callers and a friendly face that welcomes visitors" to the Central County Occupational Center. "Although busy with her own work, she always seems to find time to meet the needs of others around her." She even became the unofficial supervisor of a program cancelled by budget cuts.

-- Para-Educator and Instructional Assistance: Karen Ott, Moreland School District

Karen, a library specialist at Country Lane Elementary School, is the "heart of the school." She has "created a caring, welcoming school library," and works with educators to incorporate curriculum into the daily functions of the library. She also manages the Accelerated Reading program, to which she has added her own incentive system to help students in grades 1 through 5 improve their reading ability and comprehension.

--Support Services and Security: Olga Arrieta, Alum Rock Union Elementary School District

Olga, a community liaison, "is a genuine partner in the education of all children" at Dorsa Elementary School. She acts as a translator at conferences, organizes several events, and "takes initiative to solve problems before they even become problems, and is able to motivate parents to take charge of their school."

--Transportation: Euel "Buddy" Parden, Alum Rock Union Elementary School District
Buddy is a lead mechanic for the district, and "is the type of employee who is always smiling and happy." Responsible for all maintenance of the district's buses, Buddy's "commitment to excellence and strong work ethic have been key factors in the ongoing maintenance of the district fleet."

Date last updated: March 16, 2010