WELCOME! JUNE 1, 2020 6 PM A VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE
HONORING INNOVATION
The Pajaro Valley Education Foundation (PVEF) is honored to sponsor the annual Innovator of the Year Awards acknowledging the creative and innovative accomplishments of our staff.
From the group of site and department awardees, PVEF Board of Directors selected ten individuals who will receive the District Innovator of the Year Award!
Each secondary school and department selected one classified and one certificated individual and each elementary school selected one classified, one certificated in TK- 2 and one in 3-5/6 who is making a significant contribution to PVUSD’s Vision through innovative and creative strategies to receive the Site/Department Innovator of the Year award.
April Nelson
Working with Genius Hour, Ms. Nelson developed a program that allowed students to choose a topic that interested them and develop a way to present that topic to the class – she worked with students to use the essential skills she was teaching in other areas such as math, ELA to help students construct well thought out presentations
3rd Grade Teacher
Bradley – Certificated
Elizabeth Turnbull
Using an after school Tier 2 intervention Elizabeth is increasing the number of K-12 students performing at or above grade level. Using her core SIPPS instruction, Elizabeth identified students who needed an extra boost – she then developed an after school session that gave these students a tier 2 intervention of SIPPS- she also worked with parents to teach them strategies to help students at home.
1st Grade Teacher
Bradley – Certificated
Lizabeth Suarez
Lizabeth has solidified the office with her organization and follow through- she has refined the tardy procedure to help streamline the process and get students to class quicker when they are tardy - students who are in class do better! Nuff said!
School Office Assistant
Bradley – Classified
Dr. Sara Roe
Dr. Roe wanted to improve student learning across the board with all EL students at WHS. She worked with the master schedule administrator and tripled the number of SDAIE sections from prior years. She recruited some of the best teachers at WHS to be part of the LDC. They all agreed to participate in her “SDAIE LDC Collaborative.” This was the first time the focus on our EL students and has had such fidelity of implementation.
English Language Coach
Watsonville High – Certificated
Yanet Lopez
While ensuring students have 21st century materials, she also creates a safe, supportive and positive school environment, helping students problem solve tech issues and identify students who need a little more connection to school to serve on her repair crew. She also utilizes our PBIS core values in re-enforcing responsible behavior and promoting continued engagement at school. Students feel seen by Ms. Lopez as she helps navigate tech with them.
Administrative Assistant
Watsonville High – Classified
Angelica Carrasco
Angelica’s work with the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program, as well as the compost program, has led to students eating healthier, playing harder, and composting to an extraordinarily high degree. In addition, her relationship with parents and students is a key component of Ann Soldo’s positive community engagement.
Yard Duty Supervisor
Ann Soldo – Classified
Thomas Knight
Thomas’ work with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and the Healthy Schools Program has led to a mural designed and painted by students. He helped with the procurement of a salad bar for the 20th Anniversary celebration. He is the Bike to School liaison, and through his efforts, Ann Soldo was awarded a SPARKS PE grant. This grant allowed the school to purchase PE materials and provide Staff PD around physical activity for students.
3rd Grade Bilingual Teacher
Ann Soldo – Certificated
Nancy Zuñiga
Nancy creates a safe learning environment for staff, students, parents and our community at large. She goes out of her way to find resources outside of school to help those in need. She is the first person our students and families seek when they are in need and she has a caring and fast response time. More students come to school and are in class learning because of her compassion and dedication.
Social Emotional Counselor
Alianza – Certificated
Marina Escobar
Marina gathered information about how to get the Mini-Mermaids program started at Alianza. She volunteered to be a coach and put a call out to our teachers. She was able to recruit volunteer coaches from our staff quickly. Marina’s commitment to advocating for students and families led to the beginning of the Mini-Mermaids and Young Tritons Programs at Alianza. It has become a fun and unique way to teach our young students health, fitness and social skills that has helped them find ways of being healthy and successful academically.
3rd Grade Teacher
Alianza – Certificated
Ruby Vasquez
Ruby has been acquiring input from parents and community leaders as to what information is desired and needed and pairs that with resources and new learnings to be needs responsive and collaborative. That has supported the creation of two new Saturday Conferences and many additional workshops and supports to parents. Simultaneously, her work ensures that the district is receiving and utilizing community input to inform their decision-making.
ELA Instructional Coach
English Learner Dept. – Certificated
Jessica Costa
Jessica’s innovations support all student learning and especially that of English Learners(Goal 5). She does this through her advocacy and support of sites and Departments in regards to effectively and equitably utilizing funds. By prioritizing ELs and low-performing students she equips sites and departments with the resources and capabilities to fulfil their goals.
Department Staff Accountant
English Learner Dept. – Classified
Jessica Castillo
Coach Castillo has developed a Leadership class, a Yearbook club, and a zero period PE class while also coaching various sports during her years at Cesar Chavez Middle School. These classes and her involvement in student government and school fundraising has helped to “create a culture where all adults provide a safe, supportive and positive school environment that encourages positive behavior and increases students' sense of connectedness, engagement and hope.” (LCAP Goal #6)
PE/Leadership/Yearbook Teacher
Cesar Chavez – Certificated
Yanira Ramirez
Yanira Ramirez is the hardest working staff member at Cesar Chavez Middle School. This year, she took on two jobs. Yanira developed a system in coordination with our school counselor to monitor the progress of the 8th Grade students at CCMS who are in danger of non-promotion. Her efforts in this area effectively reduced the number of non-promotees at CCMS by 60%.
After School Office Manager
Cesar Chavez – Classified
Karina Rodriguez
One of the programs Ms. Rodriguez assists with is Parent Education. In the front office, she registers parents for the Co-operative Pre-Schools, where she promotes increasing parent involvement in their children’s education through a variety of opportunities that promote greater parent capacity and empowerment. Her interaction with parents leaves them motivated and ready to engage in the classroom.
Registration Specialist
Adult Education – Classified
Christopher Zimmerman
Mr. Zimmerman has a unique classroom and utilizes various modalities of learning. He has created a culture where students feel safe, supported and positive about what they are learning. Students feel a sense of “family”, where they are connected, engaged and experience hope as they leave his classroom. As adults, they can’t wait for class to begin tomorrow!
ESL Instructor
Adult Education – Certificated
Guadalupe Sandoval
Lupe grew up at Calabasas, and has seen her 3 children go through Calabasas, so the passion she had for their learning is similarly displayed for all kids she works with. No excuses… the goals are attainable, and she works to get all the kids where they need to be.
IA & Yard Duty Supervisor
Calabasas – Classified
Alyssa Rodgers
Ms. Rodgers posts goal charts for the social emotional goals, as well as goals related to the “Cougar Values”, which allows students to self monitor and improve. The results are nearly zero office referrals all year, and a class full of students eager to be a part of a positive class culture and functioning community.
2nd Grade Teacher
Calabasas – Certificated
Rebekah Berryman
Utilizing Class Dojo, Zoom, and other platforms to keep parents involved, informed, and supporting all students. It started with getting 100% of her families connected through Class Dojo. It expanded to Zoom office hours for both students, and parents in the evening. They new they could check in anytime for support academically… or even for the emotional wellbeing of students. Utilized feedback from parents to modify learning and access so all students were successful.
4th Grade Teacher
Calabasas – Certificated
Travis Fox
Travis implemented a new program called Home Campus that has transitioned our old paper based program to fully online and accessible. This has completely modernized the athletic processes and made them easier and better for athletes, families, and coaches. Travis is always student centered. He is respectful, kind, and always there to support our students and coaches.
Athletic Director
Aptos High – Certificated
Albert Lambert
Albert’s efforts provide connection to school culture and improving student performance. He works hard, is always willing to help, is extremely knowledgeable, and goes above and beyond daily! Albert has learned Synergy in both Teacher and Parent VUE in order to demystify the program for the users.
Student Information Specialist
Aptos High – Classified
Carlos Olivarez
Carlos helped to make sure the flow of food and supplies continued during COVID emergency feeding despite many emergency issues such as supply chain problems, distributor shortages, competition from all districts to use similar items, quick changes in use of food commodities, and major storage and refrigeration issues.
FNS Department Buyer
Food & Nutrition Services Dept. – Classified
Catherine Hoyt
Catie's approach to teaching encourages students to branch out in the critical areas of math, science, technology, and engineering, and displays how an educator on our campus is forward-thinking in using the incredible Fab Lab space that we have, as well as classroom and out-of-classroom learning. Catie was instrumental in implementing the Technolo-chicas program, which provides female students opportunities to boost their collective and individual confidence, social skills, and STEM skills.
8th Grade Math Teacher
EA Hall – Certificated
Edmundo Silva-Ibarra
Edmundo has been an absolute "rock-star" since he came to E.A. Hall earlier this school year. He has been so helpful with all of the Distance Learning tech support, anticipating and following through on the needs of staff, parents, and students. Edmundo continues to offer helpful insights for all involved in distance learning, and he has done so with the utmost in patience and professionalism.
Site Tech
EA Hall – Classified
Wendy Sigmund
Wendy’s impact has reached across our entire teaching staff and student body. Our staff has provided more effective and organized access to learning during the closure of our school. Her efforts have had an immediate impact with student achievement, community engagement and has definitely increased efficiency with distance learning.
Social Studies Teacher
New School – Certificated
Silvia Rocha
Mrs. Rocha is very much onboard with our PBIS efforts and with creating a safe, connected and welcoming environment. She demonstrates kindness, respect and empathy every day, while maintaining high expectations for their behavior and adherence to our PBIS school-wide expectations.
Campus Safety Supervisor
New School – Classified
Christina Oakden
Christina has built the staff development system for Curriculum and Instruction that allows for clear procedures, timely sub requests and overall organization for all members in the department. Christina’s work has decreased the number of touch points one must go through in order to set up an efficient staff development. This in turn leads to greater participation which in turn will help students learn.
Administrative Secretary
Education Services Dept. – Classified
Megan Dolan
As a teacher coach, she helped bridge the gaps between different teaching strategies, the new curriculum, and Intellectual Preparation on how to make the lesson planning process more efficient and effective for the teachers. Her process for walking through and connecting the Benchmark ELD program and the Language Arts program while including the 3 Core Actions is a new process for our district and she was able to create a system that is easy to follow and replicate
ELA Instructional Coach
Education Services Dept. – Certificated
Liza Manley
Liza creates a safe learning environment for staff, students, parents and our community at large. She goes out of her way to find resources outside of school to help those in need. She is the first person our students and families seek when they are in need and she has a caring and fast response time. More students come to school and are in class learning because of her compassion and dedication.
Language Arts Teacher
Rolling Hills – Certificated
Veronica Reyes
Veronica Reyes, has been able to utilize technology to be able to continue to provide specialized academic instruction to students. Her ability to build strong positive relationships has enabled her to increase student participation. She is a constant for students who benefit from consistency and structure. Her ability to build relationships with students in a variety of settings helps her to push students forward while maintaining high expectations for them.
Instructional Assistant
Rolling Hills – Classified
Jennifer Littleton-Bruno
Jen has been with Extended Learning for 15 years, starting as an after school coordinator at Cesar Chavez Middle School. She quickly became a leader among other coordinators, with special expertise in grant guidelines, mandates, and program management. Her passion around equity for students in the arts, nutrition and fitness has led her to establish and grow key community partnerships with organizations
Extended Learning TOSA
Extended Learning Dept. – Certificated
Ana Hernandez
Ana is a co-founder of the Extended Learning department. Nearly 20 years ago, she and her director were given a small pocket of funding to create and implement a small after school program. Based on that experience, Ana has built the current Extended Learning department, providing after school and summer programs to over 4,000 students daily. Due to her fiscal prudence and strong work ethic, the services Extended Learning provides to students continues to grow and thrive.
Department Staff Accountant
Extended Learning Dept. – Classified
Margarita Ponce
Margarita’s “can do” attitude is inspiring to others. When the time came to learn new harder ways of doing things, the environment could have been one of complaining but she was able to find the good in the situation and continue to lead by example. The one task of uploading payments has saved time and money not to mention eased the task of working from home in this COVID-19 disaster.
Accounting Technician
Finance Dept. – Classified
Anita Bistrin
Anita would consistently reach out to the greater community to bring in their support to help our students. She worked closely with Bookshop Santa Cruz and organized a field trip to go see Dave Pilkey (author of Dog Man book series). All of the students were able to meet the author, get free books and see him speak. This developed their greater appreciation for the arts.
Library Media Technician
Radcliff – Classified
Marisol Zamora
Marisol jumped right into our Learning Center model and volunteered to teach a full inclusion TK class. She created a class that was safe for all students and ensured all their unique educational needs were met. All her students grew tremendously. The students with IEPs grew at a higher rate than their peers in SPED preschool.
TK Teacher
Radcliff – Certificated
Jack Boucke
Jack used his technology expertise to make PBIS videos for the students. He incorporated music and song writing into the videos to make them true originals. This is directly linked to the LCAP goal of providing a safe and supportive school culture. The students were extremely engaged with the videos. They took on a leadership role and took pride in their hard work. Jack fostered this leadership experience and exposed the students to a new kind of art and self expression.
4th Grade Teacher
Radcliff – Certificated
Patricia Molina Vasquez
Patricia’s committed to ensuring parents feel their child is in a safe, supportive, and welcoming place. She creates a culture where all adults provide a safe, supportive and positive school environment that encourages positive behavior and increases students' sense of connectedness, engagement and hope.
Administrative Assistant
Freedom – Classified
Pamela Gerk Rivas
October 2019 Technology Month at Freedom Elementary and Ms. Pamela Gerk organized six technology related events. The exposure to programming motivated students to think about the future. Giselle, 4th grader, said she plans to become a teacher and thinks programming will be a useful skill. Another student, Lizeth, said she hoped she would get to learn more about programming in the coming years.
K-3 Intervention Teacher
Freedom – Certificated
Ryan Richards
Ryan has truly been helping digitize Diamond Tech. Students are managing their own data digitally and reporting their academic goals and individual learning plans to their teaching team. This is another step toward streamlining personalized learning. The form for IEP’s brings teachers the ability to provide feedback quickly which shortens turnaround time for teachers to respond to the SELPA questionnaire. Helping more parents understand how to use Synergy allows for more parent participation and communication.
Arts, Media & Entertainment
Diamond Technology Institute– Certificated
Esther Morillo
Esther has helped students be creative in their abilities to promote a positive school culture and climate that is at the heart of the Diamond Tech community. She does not forget to celebrate the positives and milestones for our school community as well as providing opportunities for students to support the entire community of Watsonville.
Office Manager
Diamond Technology Institute– Classified
Karla Villarreal
Distance Learning practices and technology are new to Karla but it is her attitude that has made her an innovator. She has met the challenge of learning new technology head on and has not let it become a barrier to providing access to great instruction for her students. Karla knew that providing her 2nd graders with a 21st century learning experience was important and she volunteered to provide them with that access.
2nd Grade Teacher
Amesti – Certificated
Katryn Bermudez
Ms. Bermudez’s use of Class Meetings is unique because it is used to address several types of interactions that can occur in a school day. Katryn uses Class Meetings as an opportunity for students to address other students and their actions or to enter into a dialogue about academic topics. This has led to an increase in her students’ willingness to engage in dialogue in this class setting in other content areas.
5th Grade Teacher
Amesti – Certificated
AnaLila Jiménez
AnaLila is self-motivated to learn our new programs in order to support Amesti Elementary. She has gone above and beyond in her use of Synergy on a daily basis. She has found ways to run reports in an efficient way in order to keep in constant communication with staff and families. AnaLila’s willingness to use these programs has led to a seamless transition to Synergy and an increase in parent engagement.
Office Manager
Amesti – Classified
Miguel Orejel
PVUSD Migrant Education goal is to provide the best possible supplemental programs to our migrant students. Miguel continues to perform the assigned duties as mandated by Migrant Ed, but his unique way of approaching families and students makes him different. He makes sure every migrant student has an opportunity to be informed about what we offer and to make sure they participate in our very unique programs.
Migrant Teacher
Migrant Education – Certificated
Jennie Gomez
Jennie took it upon herself to create short videos on how to manage/access/open different programs within our program and district. One example is the video on how to understand/use Synergy so that it can be explained to parents. She has made videos on how to access most of our Fed/State/Local systems.
Dept. Information System Tech
Migrant Education – Classified
Junior (Candelario) Gomez
Candelario is one of the most hard working individuals I have had the pleasure of working with over the past several years. He is the first to arrive and always is looking for ways to keep our site running smoothly and safe for our Landmark Students. He makes our school sparkle and remain new everyday! Jr’s kind and great ability to connect with each and every student at school is very impactful to the learning of our students. He gives much of himself to those who need an encouraging word.
Lead Custodian
Landmark – Classified
Roisin Gunn
Roisin is a constant advocate for her students and colleagues. She advises our school leadership team with great ideas and instructional best practices that directly address our LCAP Goal 1. Roisin’s resolve to see her students succeed fuels her amazing efforts she makes to keep her team learning and moving forward. She supports her team with a tireless effort until it reaches her students. Her impact touches multiple grade levels at our school.
3rd Grade Teacher
Landmark – Certificated
Leanna Calderon
Leanna is an amazing educator who has a great ability to reach our English language learners. Her efforts directly affect all of her students through the amazing Language rich Learning Environment that she creates in her class. Her efforts both enhance our student’s ability to access integrated and designated ELD lessons and give them a great experience learning about our environmental surroundings.
2nd Grade Teacher
Landmark – Certificated
Christina Smalluck
Christina is a highly dedicated professional. She is consistently put into challenging situations with students who are exhibiting maladaptive behaviors. She is positive and eager as she steps into various situations and she artfully collaborates with various team members. Christina is truly student-centered and works above and beyond to provide our students with quality learning environments.
Behavior Technician
SELPA – Classified
Eileen Shea
Eileen has been incredibly innovative in her practices this year both pre and post COVID-19. Eileen has created an amazing space at Hyde Elementary for students to access specialized equipment and materials to provide them with adapted physical education. She has taken initiative in applying for grants to create a highly engaging experience for students with Autism.
Adaptive PE Teacher
SELPA – Certificated
Judith Woods
Ms. Woods provided all her students an opportunity to become mentors of the elementary students. Students prepared for their visits to read to the students and also participated in debriefing about their experiences. The students were fully engaged in every part of the process and were truly owners of their learning. The idea of having a mentorship program through this Reading Buddies program between middle school students and elementary students was genius.
ELA Teacher
Lakeview – Certificated
Jen Salinas Holz
Jen Salinas-Holz is an advocate for all students. She is the Site Computer Support Technician at LMS and the advisor for our Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) club. She is a model of the type of educator every child needs and works tirelessly to contribute to creating a culture where students are provided a safe, supportive and positive school environment that encourages positive behavior and increases students’ sense of connectedness, engagement and hope.
Site Computer Support Tech
Lakeview – Classified
Jennifer Walker
Jay's dedication to PBIS training and the way she carries it back to her classroom and staff at Mar Vista. I feel her calming presence is such a gift to our students. She has been able to integrate PBIS throughout the whole school and SEL in her class to benefit all students.
3rd Grade Teacher
Mar Vista – Certificated
Amy Ryan
Amy has taken a lead role within our Transcend/Silicon Schools Grant Committee and has done very important work to improve student connectedness and engagement in the classroom. She has led several pilots to show how kindness and caring on the part of the teacher can increase student wellbeing and improve academic performance.
5th Grade Teacher
Mar Vista – Certificated
Kim Kaspar
Kim has figured out how to make things easier for us by creating forms for staff to use that help her do the bulk of the work on her end. She has streamlined many, MANY processes for the whole school. She always has great ideas! She is very involved in the students and their well-being and goes way beyond being an office assistant. She isn't afraid to take on new jobs and responsibilities and joins committees on campus that need classified representatives.
Office Assistant
Mar Vista – Classified
Melissa Shaw
Melissa has taken on our wellness committee as an innovative champion for our students’ health and emotional well-being. She has written grants for smoothie bikes, collaborated to overhaul our school’s edible garden, and created school healthy competitions to get all students and teacher’s active. Melissa has also championed our first grade 3-5 GSA Jr. Club, to promote acceptance, diversity, empathy, and compassion.
4th Grade Teacher
WCSA – Certificated
Michelle Paulus
Michelle Paulus has been an innovator at WCSA for many years. She introduced the first laptop cart to WCSA in 2007, and has been supporting teachers with tech innovations ever since. Michelle Paulus has always had a big impact on student achievement and staff efficiency in using new programs. Her students have always grown academically at remarkable rates (as measured by NWEA MAP Growth).
1st Grade Teacher
WCSA – Certificated
Cynthia Torres
Ms. Torres has established a high and rigorous learning environment for her students. She has been leading Invention Convention for the past 3 years at Hall District. Her classroom and teaching ensure that her students are immersed in a 21st century learning environment.
5th Grade Teacher
Hall District – Certificated
Alice Peña
Alice continues to support our families especially during distant learning to make them feel connected. She has been supporting our teachers with translation and connecting with families to support them with school information and resources. With her empathy, kindness, and willingness to help others she has created a positive and safe environment for our staff and students.
Library Media Technician
Hall District – Classified
Betty Aboytes
Betty is a lifelong learner who pushes herself to refine her instructional practices. Whenever you walk into her room she is working with students, actively checking for understanding, and encouraging each child to do their personal best. Although she felt intimidated by some of the newer technology, Mrs. Aboytes volunteered to serve as “Technology Liaison” for our school.
4th Grade Teacher
MacQuiddy – Classified
Katie Burns
Mrs. Burns introduced and supported teachers with student “Check-in”, where students that need support are assigned a mentor teacher who meets with this student twice per day to offer encouragement and organizational strategies. Mrs. Burns also began a buddy system between the Kindergarten students and fifth graders. On a weekly basis, the two classes meet for student to student mentoring around literacy. This weekly event has supported our younger students academically but has also created a sense of connectedness that is so valued at our school.
Kindergarten Teacher
MacQuiddy – Certificated
Jose Yanez
No one knows and loves MacQuiddy Elementary School quite like Mr. Yanez. Being a team player and supporting our community through actions versus words is what Mr. Yanez is all about. Mr. Yanez has a positive attitude and genuinely cares about our community. He helps our community feel connected and is always there to support our students with a nurturing word, and to bend over backwards to help a teacher or staff member in whatever way he can.
Lead Custodian
MacQuiddy – Classified
Maria Diaz
Maria is the backbone of our site. She kept everything moving smoothly while juggling three new systems for managing finance, student data and field trips. Her systems keep herself and all of us organized.
Office Manager
HA Hyde – Classified
Feliz Livingston
Feliz has demonstrated innovation by utilizing multiple strategies in order to create individual learning plans for her students. She does this by integrating technology, small groups, consistent structure and high expectations.
4th Grade Teacher
HA Hyde – Certificated
Krishna Feldman
Mrs. Feldman has created a YouTube channel with videos she has recorded of herself reading books aloud. She has included both Spanish and English titles to support our bilingual program and our English learner students and their families. In most of the videos she is in a chair, holding and reading the book, just like she does during class library visits.
Library Media Tech
Ohlone – Classified
George Feldman
Mr. Feldman started building the foundation for engaging his students and their parents through technology before we switched to distance learning, but our current situation has put it on the fast track. Gone are the days when he could have a quick word with a parent before or after school as a backup to technology. Now using technology is his main form of parent communication and gives him the ability to monitor students beyond the packets they turn in.
Kindergarten Teacher
Ohlone – Certificated
Marcy Mock
Ms. Mock has taken the idea of distance learning to a whole new level to keep her students engaged and learning. Classroom instruction is combined with a class meeting daily. Students are encouraged to talk about their feelings and engage in math, calendar, reading and writing on a daily basis. She has also managed to continue with her classroom behavior and reward system. Students who come to class every day and show positive behavior receive a special reward that is delivered to them at home!
Special Day Teacher
Ohlone – Certificated
Katrina Hernandez
Katrina Hernandez’s approach towards the students, staff and families of our educational community is one of knowledge, wisdom, high expectation, history and support. Katrina’s steady resolve and coachable professionalism greatly contributes to our school being able to provide the best possible program to ALL our various stakeholders.
Campus Safety Supervisor
Pajaro Middle – Classified
Lisa Trusso
Ms. Trusso always begins with relationships. Students in her classes connect with the teacher, the content and each other at very high levels. Regardless of obstacles or dilemmas. Ms. Trusso actively and intentionally mentors many of our staff throughout the school house. She works very well with all of our stakeholders, and she is particularly effective in coaching both our new and experienced teachers. �
Humanities Teacher
Pajaro Middle – Certificated
James Mattson
Mr. Mattson is truly inspirational with his relentless drive to help save our planet and help teach our troubled youth. The breath of his efforts can only inspire his students. Our students are witnessing history in the making through his many projects. He does not force participation but uses positive influence and encouragement with inspiration and emotional engagement in protecting species thereby protecting our planet. He inspires fellow peers with his commitment to both the saving of a species and the teaching of our challenged youth. He is a scientist. He is a biologist. He is a father and grandfather. Mr. Mattson is a teacher to be admired.
Biology Teacher
Renaissance High – Certificated
Enrique Ornelas
Mr. Ornelas serves as the footing in Aptos Junior High School Culture. He capitalizes on his relationships with staff to maintain the cleanest and most well kept campus in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District. Mr. Ornelas relies on constant contact, his availability, his visibility, and his work ethic to model the level of cleanliness and order he wants to provide for both students and staff.
Lead Custodian
Aptos Jr. High – Classified
Jenna Etemad-Lehmer
Ms. Etemad and Ms. Bishop have taken their audience/ learners into consideration and created a space and time for students to identify, explore, and learn about a personal passion. The activity is now referred to as Genius hour. It stemmed from the 10% model used in some businesses. The goal was to allow students to learn about something that they felt was interesting or meaningful to them and important to others.
Core Teacher
Aptos Jr. High – Certificated
Stefanie Bishop
Ms. Etemad and Ms. Bishop have taken their audience/ learners into consideration and created a space and time for students to identify, explore, and learn about a personal passion. The activity is now referred to as Genius hour. It stemmed from the 10% model used in some businesses. The goal was to allow students to learn about something that they felt was interesting or meaningful to them and important to others.
Core Teacher
Aptos Jr. High – Certificated
Daisy Nuñez
Daisy works tirelessly to meet the social/emotional needs of students AND staff members at our largest comprehensive high school. She has created wellness systems, personal connections, and presentations to staff not only at Watsonville High, but also for the larger community. In working to increase student engagement and connection, Daisy has increased in immeasurable terms positive outcomes for students and staff.
Social Emotional Counselor
Student Services Dept. – Certificated
Yunuen Sanchez
Yunuen has created systems and procedures for Healthy Start to ensure that the needs of our Students in Transition (homeless) and Students in Care (Foster) are addressed in an efficient, timely, and comprehensive manner. The communication systems that Yunuen has put in place greatly increases resources and supports for a population of students that has significant needs.
Healthy Start Office Manager
Student Services Dept. – Classified
Laura Campos
Laura’s compassion for her students has led to a reputation of kindness and caring that all students know and have grown to enjoy. This has led to an increase in student engagement in regard to physical and emotional wellbeing. Laura helped create a culture where students feel comfortable expressing their mental and physical issues to her. �
Health Clerk
Pajaro Valley High – Classified
Alejandra Vaca-Perez
Alejandra has worked closely with staff to create a culture where adults engage in providing students a safe, supportive and positive school environment to help students feel connected. The student support plan includes a list of adults the student feels comfortable with and are available to students during the time of distress/crisis.
Social Emotional Counselor
Pajaro Valley High – Certificated
Will Zambrano
This year in COVID -19 has pushed us to use our data systems in ways we have never had to. Will has taken lead in linking the contact information we have from our Child Development SIS with Synergy, as well as other communication systems we use with families. This has been invaluable in meeting the moral obligation to stay in contact with families and to meet the Department of Education requirements as well for family / student contact. Really we would have been challenged without our wonderful Will.
Office Assistant
Early Childhood Education – Classified
Antonette Ramento Recinos
This year Antonette started her teaching position with the department as her school site Linscott State Preschool on the Linscott campus was in full tear up with late construction. She managed through this by communicating with the CDD Department, Adult Education Coop Staff, Linscott Charter Teachers, Facilities, and the actual construction crew at times. We were in awe of her ability to stay focused and get her classroom off to a constructive and wonderful start despite it all!
Teacher
Early Childhood Education – Certificated
Elizabeth Ryan
Elizabeth consistently does a stellar job of meeting the educational needs of her speech students, as well as making herself available to consult with teachers and provide guidance to students we are concerned about, watching, and providing intervention to.
Speech Therapist
Valencia – Certificated
Deborah Matlow
Deborah is a forward thinking educator and is regularly looking out for and researching new ideas and forms of technology that can better serve her learners. We have seen a shift over the last few years in the socioemotional needs of our students. Deborah is adept at troubleshooting and finding solutions that will help her (and the larger school community) meet their needs.
2nd Grade Teacher
Valencia – Certificated
Lesley Ramos
Lesley does an impressive job of staying on top of our technology inventory and needs. Due to our site coding work, there are many more devices to manage and ready for student work. She is highly organized, implementing a thoughtful and detailed system for tracking devices that she can easily access when needed.
Site Tech
Valencia – Classified
Bryan Kurek
Bryan’s innovation is highlighted by the way in which he teaches our students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. He is inclusive and ensures that students’ needs are met by providing visual schedules, modeling, and a focus on the social interactions that are necessary to physical education. He is flexible, works with the entire NEST team, including many IAs that attend PE with students with ASD, and is an avid learner around best practices for students with ASD.
PE Teacher
Rio del Mar – Certificated
Patrick McMillan
As a 4th grade teacher and our Technology Liaison, Pat’s work is directly linked to the 6th goal in our LCAP; namely, to create a positive school environment that encourages positive behavior and increases students’ sense of connectedness, engagement, and hope. He shares valuable information, resources, tips and tricks to the staff on a regular basis. With all of this support from Pat this year and in years past, our transition to Distance Learning was seamless and we quickly had over 90% student participation and engagement and growing.
4th Grade Teacher
Rio del Mar – Certificated
Natalie Hanneman
Natalie works to support our LCAP Goals 6 and 7 by supporting a safe, supportive, and positive school environment and increasing parent involvement in their children’s education in order to expand the definition of student success. The specific strategy Natalie uses is what we often forget is needed in innovation; namely, understanding the problem.
Social Emotional Counselor
Rio del Mar – Classified
Maria Vasquez
When we moved from our normal day at school to Distance Learning Maria moved into hyperspeed. She stepped in and learned quickly how to use Zoom, Google Meets, Screencastify, and many other digital platforms and applications. She didn’t stop there! Maria has stepped up to keep us all learning new tech skills and making sure teachers and students understand the new skills so they can then focus on the content in using that skill.
3rd Grade Bilingual Teacher
Mintie White– Certificated
Christina Robert
Christina is always positive, and professional and this attitude makes her a joy to work with as well as a great team player. Her leadership in PBIS is moving us forward as she tries new strategies and then shares with the staff the things she tried that worked and didn’t work. She is well respected by her peers and her positive approach to all situations brings a level of calm and joy to anyone who works with her. I couldn’t have created a better PBIS lead if I tried.
2nd Grade Teacher
Mintie White– Certificated
Jessica Ramirez
Jessica Ramirez is All In, Everyday! She wears many hats at Mintie White. She is an instructional aid for our TK/K classrooms, supervises student safety at lunch, and is a classroom teacher for the Extended Learning Department. Jessica is continually finding new ways to connect students to school spirit and making sure that our PBIS systems is alive and functioning.
IA & Yard Duty
Mintie White– Classified
Marisol Perez
Marisol’s passion and dedication to our students
and families knows no bounds. She is the heart and soul of our school. Her leadership and organization skills support Starlight to function at high levels.
Office Manager
Starlight – Classified
Bobbie McWilliam-Grennier
Bobbie designed and implemented a technology elective that focused on 21st century skills. She has led our school in the transition to Distance Learning. She has done countless “how to” videos to support the transition for all teachers to technology. She has created systems for us to complete all CUM folders for the end of year.
5th Grade Teacher
Starlight – Certificated
Courtney Rudd
Courtney was instrumental in transitioning the cadre model of Teacher Technology training to the new Tech Academy model of collaboration with Teachers in their classroom, working with their student, and aligning each project with their content areas and instructional goals. Courtney designed, prepared and implemented the continually evolving Video Academy which incorporates a huge amount of complex equipment, software, and curriculum.
Technology Coach
Technology Services Dept. – Certificated
Monty Matteson
Monty was instrumental in migrating our Student Information System from eSchoolPLUS to Synergy. In the process Monty has designed new methods for organizing, storing, and reporting on our District's data. He always has our District's future in mind when creating lasting solutions, not just "one-off" fixes.
Data Systems Analyst
Technology Services Dept. – Classified
1. April Nelson, Bradley, Cert.
2. Yanira Ramirez, CCMS, Clsfd.
3. Esther Morillo, DTI, Clsfd.
4. Christina Oakden, Ed. Svcs., Clsfd.
5. Judith Woods, Lakeview, Cert.
District’s Innovator of the Year Recipients
Congratulations!
6. Junior Gomez, Landmark, Clsfd.
7. George Feldman, Ohlone, Cert.
8. James Mattson, RHS, Cert.
9. Eileen Shea, SELPA, Cert.
10. Yanet lopez, WHS, Clsfd.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL HONOREES
Thank you for joining us in this virtual journey of recognizing staff innovation!