-
AUHSD Employee of the Year
An outstanding partnership of students, parents, community members, and staff has made the Acalanes Union High School District a high-performing, nationally recognized school district. The dedication of our talented staff is a major factor in our collective efficacy. The AUHSD recognizes the contributions of our staff in a variety of ways, including a Classified Staff of the Year as well as an Educator of the Year award.
-
Classified Staff:
Please see below list of classfied staff of the year.
-
2022-2023: Edgar Gonzalez
Photo (left to right): Rebecca Bearce (Service Center) and Edgar Gonzalez (AHS)
Edgar Gonzalez is the AUHSD Classified Employee of the Year. Edgar started working with the District in 2012 as a substitute custodian and was soon promoted to a full-time day custodian. Edgar is a valued member of our classified staff, and is instrumental in keeping the school running efficiently. He takes pride in his custodial duties and it shows. Edgar is always there with a smile and is happy to serve all staff, students and visitors. He is committed to learning new skills and improving himself personally and professionally. AUHSD is proud to honor Edgar Gonzalez as Classified Employee of the Year!
2022-23 site finalists:
Liana Holcomb-McCann - Wellness Intake Specialist, Campolindo High School
Antonio Saldaña - Custodian, Las Lomas High School
Jamie Rogers - Instructional Assistant Miramonte High School
Rebecca Bearce - Administrative Assistant, District/Del Valle/Service Center -
2021-22: Michael McEwen
Photo (left to right): Stephanie Landingin (MHS), Mick McEwen (LLHS), Margo Marcellini (AHS), Carmelita Fritz (Dist. Office)
Michael (“Mick”) McEwen is the AUHSD Classified Employee of the Year. Mick is a valued member of our school community - a fixture on the Las Lomas High School campus since 2003. Mick’s influence is felt across the district. As an SEIU president, he truly embodies the philosophy of “servant leader” - no person’s concern is too minor for Mick, and he constantly extends a helping hand or listening ear to people who need his support. As a site support tech, he is always helping teachers and staff with tech needs and making sure systems on the campus run smoothly. He is a golf coach, softball coach, and gives back so much of his time to brighten the lives of others in his school community. AUHSD is proud to honor Michael (“Mick”) McEwen as Classified Employee of the Year!2021-22 site finalists:
Margo Marcellini - Instructional Assistant , Acalanes High School
Stephanie Sliwinski, Attendance and Health Technician, Campolindo High School
Stephanie Landingin, Instructional Assistant Miramonte High School
Carmelita Fritz - Fiscal Analyst, District/Del Valle/Service Center -
2020-21: José Paniagua
José Paniagua works as the day custodian at Campolindo High School. José started working with the District in 2015 as a substitute custodian and was soon converted into a full time day custodian at Campolindo. José is omnipresent at Campo, serving all staff, students and visitors and keeping the campus in good order. He is highly responsive to the needs of others. His peers describe him as “caring, helpful and kind." He performs his work with a smile, and is instrumental in keeping the school running efficiently.
-
2019-20: Stephanie Thompson
-
2018-19: Tommy Rodriguez
-
2017-18: Stephanie Landingin
-
2016-17: Patrick O’Toole
-
2015-16: Rita Nozzolillo
-
2014-15: Joyce Han
-
2013-14: Nancy Armendarez
-
2012-13: Carolyn Daughton
-
2011-12: Jaylene Watson
-
Certificated Staff:
Please see below list of certificated staff of the year.
-
2022-2023 Evan Sebree
photo (left to right): Steve Poling (MHS), Suzanne Morse (LLHS), Evan Sebree (ACIS) and Amy Bellomo (AHS)
Evan Sebree started working for the AUHSD in 2014. Over the years, he has served students with special needs in Learning Skills classes at Campolindo High School and also at Miramonte High School. In 2022, when an opportunity arose in the Counseling Enriched Class at ACIS, Evan jumped in to assist with these very special students, some of whom were not engaging in school due to social emotional issues and a lack of connection. Evan has consistently provided calm and steady support for students in this program. Through his leadership, students are demonstrating growth and moving toward earning a diploma. Each day, he fosters a caring and respectful atmosphere that enables students to feel safe, confident to return to school the next day, and successful. Evan works with general education staff and provides practical suggestions for positive interactions with students in his program. In addition, parents praise his abilities and talent for making life-altering differences in their children’s lives. The District is delighted to have Evan leading the Counseling Enriched Program at ACIS, and applaud him for this wonderful award.
2022-2023 site finalists:
- Amy Bellomo - Special Education teacher, Acalanes High School
- Suzanne Morse - Science teacher, Las Lomas High School
- David Blumberg - German teacher, Campolindo High School
- Steve Poling-English teacher, Miramonte High School
-
2021-22: Sarah Frank
Photo (left to right): Sarah Frank (MHS), Roxanna Jackman (CHS), Mary Walfoort (LLHS), Tom McNamara (AHS)
Sarah Frank started working for AUHSD in 2015 as a Spanish teacher. Teaching Spanish is not just a job to Sarah - it is a passion. She believes strongly that students should develop a respect for not only Spanish as a language, but also as a culture. To see Sarah in action is to see a teacher light up the room with an enthusiasm that is simply infectious. Employing many different strategies, Sarah encourages students to speak, listen and practice Spanish constantly. She is a member of the guiding coalition leadership team at Miramonte, and cares deeply about the school’s commitment to equity work. Sarah Frank is well deserving of the honor for AUHSD Educator of the Year!
2021-22 site finalists:
Tom McNamara - Science teacher, Acalanes High School
Mary Walfoort - Librarian, Las Lomas High School
Roxanna Jackman - Science teacher, Campolindo High School -
2020-21: Kristen Plant
Kristen Plant, public speaking teacher and intervention TOSA at Miramonte High School, was honored as the 2020-2021 AUHSD Educator of the Year. Kristen is an inspiration to all, always looking to grow as an educator, leader and person. She oversees a nationally-recognized public speaking program, makes it accessible, and continually reinvents her approach. Her commitment to racial equity and work as an Equity TOSA have been impactful on school culture and inclusion. Her impact extends well beyond the walls of her classroom or the Miramonte campus. She is truly student-centered, listens to learn and understand from the experiences of others, shows gratitude and humility, and continually demonstrates her commitment to improve the student experience in her classroom, Miramonte, and the District. As one colleague put it: “Kristen is a joyful person; she finds ways to smile at the end of long meetings and tiring days, and she never shies away from sharing her special recipe of humor-- equal parts honesty, self-deprecation, kindness, and wisdom."
-
2019-20: Marlene Miranda
-
2018-19: Paul Verbanszky
-
2017-18: Katherine Walton
-
2016-17: China Harvey
-
2015-16: Cynthia Boyko
-
2014-15: Paul Fitzgerald
-
2013-14: Jane Kelson
-
2012-13: Nita Madra
-
2011-12: Misha Buchel