001Planting seeds of possibility, a reader rooted in resilience, a podcast listener, too. Traveling each morning with curiosity and care, she heard my voice loud my loud voice day after day, and she always knew that I was there. In kitchens, her gift shined there, too. She serves up soups and yams with care, serving comfort, warmth, and joy, a quiet kind of love she shares. And though she spent more years in this district and with her partner Lena by her side, that's a true story, her loyalty runs deep, her purpose wide, a steadfast presence enduring and true in every life she reached in all she would do. When the world wavered in a pandemic's tide, Mo didn't falter or run or hide. She gathered heart-shaped stones with care, painting purpose into each one fair. As she retires,
002her legacy remains in minds motivated and hearts forever reminded that education is at best in love in action. SPUSD has been profoundly privileged, truly blessed beyond measure and time, to walk beside this awe-inspiring human, this generous guide, for 38 years of service, steadfast and sublime. Thank you, Mo, for sharing your radiant light. Thank you. Thank you, and now we like to invite Child Nutrition Print Shop and Warehouse Director Ana de Castro. Good evening, everyone. Um So, we are here on the on the Castle the proud child nutrition director and today we're here to celebrate someone very special who's been part of our school district for 20 years and 15 at Westview and there's recently at Bayside Miss Betty Ramirez. It is my great honor to recognize someone who has made a lasting impact on our
003students and staff at Bayside Academy through her hard work commitment and kindness. Betty shows up each day with a positive spirit ensuring that every child who comes through the lunch line is greeted with care and consistency. This school this school year alone her perfect attendance without missing one day of work since the first day of school this year. Yes. It really speaks volumes about her reliability and dedication to our community. She's not just dependable. She's also a fantastic leader. She keeps things running smoothly supports her team and sets a great example for everyone around her. No matter how busy things get she handles it with all with confidence and care. And if you ever work with her you know she brings something extra to her job her sense of humor. She has a way of
004making people laugh and lighten the mood even what during her business rush lunch rush. So today we want to say thank you for 20 years of hard for your hard work your reliability your leadership and the joy you bring to Bayside Academy and our students every day. You make a bigger difference than you probably realize and we're very lucky to have you. Congratulations Betty. And I would like to call assistant superintendent Pamela Rachel Montiel. Good evening SBSD community. I am honored to present to you and celebrate Michelle Cyberson for 20 years of service to SBSD. Over the past two decades, Michelle has served in many roles, each one building upon the last. And while every position mattered, it is in her role as preschool director, which she has held for the past 3 years, that
005I have seen her grow the most and in turn help others grow as well. >> [snorts] >> In these 3 years, she has worked tirelessly to deepen her knowledge and strengthen her leadership. She has built her own capacity and the capacity of others in the foundations of preschool, in navigating licensing requirements with confidence, and most importantly in ensuring that every three, four, and five-year-old on her campus is seen, supported, and given what they need to thrive. She leads with intention and care, always asking how systems can be better, how practices can be stronger, and how adults can better serve or be better equipped to serve children. Her commitment to professional growth, collaboration, and high expectations does not go unnoticed. Today, we honor you, Michelle, for 20 years of service, but we also celebrate you as
006the leader you continue to become, and [snorts] the many children and colleagues who benefit from your dedication every single day. I am truly honored to work alongside you. Congratulations. And if anyone knows me, I have a sweet tooth, so we do cupcakes and milk flowers, right? And next I will invite Rebecca Nelson, principal of Emery Academy. So, good evening. Today I will begin by celebrating Miss Danny, um who is celebrating 10 years of service in South Bay and more importantly 10 years of service to students, family, and staff at Emery. Now, technically Miss Danny is our attendance secretary, but everyone knows that that title does not even begin to describe everything that she does for our school community. Miss Danny is the keeper of knowledge at Emery. She somehow knows every family, every sibling, every
007grandparent, every pickup routine, every life circumstance, and often before the rest of us even realize there's a need, she's already working behind the scenes to help. She's the person we turn to when we're trying to figure out how best to support our family. She has built relationships rooted in trust, compassion, and genuine care. For so many of our families, Miss Danny is not just someone in the office, she's a confidant, a safe place, a familiar face that makes everybody feel seen. And what makes her so remarkable is she never does these things because she has to, she does it because her heart is simply that big. If a student needs clothing, Miss Danny is on her way to make it happen. If a family needs support, she's already making phone calls. And if you the
008school needs something, she steps in without hesitation. Honestly, I think we all know when Miss Yianni volunteers, her whole family is in attendance, as well. They're waving. I mean, how many attendance secretaries have convinced their husbands to DJ at the PTA dance? Alone deserves recognition. But beyond everything she does, what truly stands out is how she makes people feel. She reminds us that schools are not just buildings where students learn academics. Schools are communities, and strong communities are built on by people like Miss Yianni. 10 years is an incredible milestone. Think about the hundreds of students and families whose lives have been touched by her care, her patience, and her dedication to Emory. The impact has made The impact she has made cannot be measured by attendance reports and office duties. It is measured by
009the relationships, the trust, the laughter in our office, the support and the love in the community. Miss Yianni, thank you for everything that you've poured into the last decade. Thank you for advocating for our families, for loving students fiercely, and for always doing whatever it takes to support our community. I'll start with a quote, and anyone that knows Miss Monica Wesso probably has heard this and thought of her. Every child deserves a champion, an adult who will never give up on them. That quote perfectly captures Monica, um for she is a champion for our students. Today is truly to honor and recognize someone who has such a meaningful impact on our Emory and our district community. Monica is our primary SEC teacher at Emory, but anyone who works alongside her knows that her role extends
010far beyond a single title. In my four years at Emory, I have seen Monica wear several hats, including serving as our SST chair, ILT. We won't even talk about the various committees that she participates in outside of Emory, but just know that there are many. What I can say is that every committee that she approaches with every responsibility and dedication with a deep commitment to students. Monica is student driven in every sense of the word. Every decision she makes is centered on what is best for kids. She is a very fierce advocate for students with exceptional needs and works tirelessly to ensure that they are supported, included, and given every opportunity to succeed. One of the things that I admire most about Monica is she is not afraid to have difficult conversations when are necessary
011to support our students. She approaches those conversations with professionalism and care. She understands that true advocacy sometimes means asking hard questions, challenging systems, and pushing all of us to think differently so we can better meet the needs of all of our learners. Monica is consistently searching for new ways to support our learners. She's reflective in her practice, creative in her approach, and willing to explore strategies that will help her students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Her classroom is a place where our students feel valued, they feel supported, and where progress is celebrated every single step of the way. Beyond all of her professional contributions, Monica brings warmth and positivity to our campus. She supports her colleagues, encourages them, and is consistently stepping in whenever any help is needed. She is someone our staff trusts and
012respects deeply. Emery is stronger because of you. Her passion, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to students makes last lasting difference in the lives of so many children and families. Monica, thank you so much for everything you do for our students at Emery, our families. We are incredibly fortunate to have you as part of our school community, and thank you for dedicating 20 years to South Bay. >> [applause] >> Next, I would like to call Director Flores from the LAUSD All right. I also have the honor to celebrate Martha Aréchiga. If you don't know her, I'm sorry that you didn't get to meet her. Yes, give it up for her. Martha is one of our retirees and she has served our district for 27 years. I did the math. I called HR and said, "Can you give
013me the year when Martha started in our district?" And thank goodness I did some good math. So, good for you. Good for me. I titled I titled your speech a life of service and a heart of gold because if you know Martha, you know that this human has the kindest heart in the world. Martha will go out of her way to do anything that you need and pick you up when you're feeling down. And if you're feeling happy, she'll find a way to make you feel even happier. So, Martha, this is for you. I just want to remind you that you are truly what a phenomenal human being. There are not enough words to fully capture how amazing you are. I took the liberty of looking up your name, the origin of your name. And
014what what came up was lady, caregiver, hospitable, and reliable. And honestly, those words could not be more fitting. And although they describe you so beautifully, they still don't capture everything that you are and that you represent. There are so many more qualities, your kindness, your warmth, your generosity, and your unwavering heart. For 27 years, you have served this district with such dedication and love, touching countless lives along the way. You didn't just work here, you built relationships, created lasting friendships, and made people feel seen, valued, and cared for. You brought people together, not just with your famous chocolate chip uh cookies and delicious chilaquiles. That was true, that is very true. She also brought cafe from La Central all of the time. But with joy, comfort, and comfort that came with them. You had a
015way of turning ordinary days into spectacular days simply by being next to you. But what makes you truly unforgettable is that heart you carry in your chest. You brought light, laughter, and genuine care into this district. Your presence made a difference and your impact will be felt for years to come. I also want to take the time to um thank your children, Fernando, Chris, and Monique, who's here in the audience, because they shared their mother with us as BUSD um and this for 27 years, because I know you had to sacrifice a lot a lot of your time to be here with us. Sharing someone as special as as you with all of us for so many years was a gift and that kind of love and support does not go unnoticed. Thank you, Martha,
016for everything you have given, for every smile you created, and for the love you shared so freely. You are deeply appreciated and you will always be shared cherished and never be forgotten. Thank you for everything you've given. >> And now I would like to invite Dr. Vargas up to the podium. They're all arranging who's taking their pictures while they're up here. Excuse us. So, yes. Come on. Okay. So, I am the proud principal of this school here Imperial Beach Charter School and so I have an amazing staff. Where I have six out of the nine that are being honored here this evening. So, I'm going to go ahead and start with all of the staff that have been here for 10 years and I'm going to start with Miss Holly Pendergraft. Closer. So, Miss Holly
017Pendergraft is our BIA and is an amazing person. She's only been with us for a year. She came and she was previously with Barry, so >> [laughter] >> She worked tirelessly in the SEES program and realized once there was an opening here that she jumped at the chance to work with me, Mr. Prosapio. Um So, she is one of our caretakers of our wellness center and what she does is not only push into classes and really provide that stability and that warmth and that firm hand especially so many of our kinders this year really needed that extra love and support. And Miss Holly is always willing to say yes. When she is managing our students in the wellness center, if it's just for a check-in, if it's for a mediation, she's always there to say
018yes. She is one of the trusted and most loved people on our campus and she did that very quickly. Her work does not go unnoticed. I know you're taking a picture, Mr. Prosapio. That's why she's nice and close. Because she's she's awesome. Um Her work does not go unnoticed. She is a trusted individual from our TKers all the way through our eighth graders, and she manages to do it with such kindness and tenderness that it is a wonderful piece to our wellness center. Miss Holly is an integral piece of who we are. It is an integral piece of how we move forward, and her insight into not just the community cuz she lives right down the street, but also her children, which are students at Nestor, and her older ones who are actually right next
019door at Vista High School. Her insight is invaluable and greatly appreciated. We love Miss Holly, and we are so grateful to have her. I am truly, truly happy to have you at Ivy Charter. So, thank you very, very much. Next, I am calling up Miss Connie Ruiz for 10 years. So, Miss Connie Ruiz is our kinder teacher, and if you don't know, she loves pink. It is evident in her classroom. In every single classroom, she leaves her mark because the walls are pink. From the doors to the handles to even the little stickers on the wall and on the floor, her carpet is pink. Well, this year it's black with hearts, but everything is pink because that is who she is. It is bright, it is lovely, it is bubbly, and it is who she
020is and what she emulates within her classroom. This year, she wanted a bunny in her classroom. She she has two bunnies in her classroom. Yes, yes, she did. Um and if you know anything about Miss Connie Ruiz, whenever she does something, she does it to a T, and she makes sure that everything is perfect and right and fits in exact little boxes. And she did the exact same thing with her bunnies. Um she has lessons, math, and science, and and reading all around the bunnies, and they're fully integrated into her classroom. And it is a reason that families love her. It's the reason why students continue to come back, not just for her, but for the bunnies. Um and I have had parents who have said, "And I'm sorry, Mr. Gonzales, but this is that
021they turned down Nestor so that they could stay with Ms. Ruiz." That is huge. Uh but all because the joy and the happiness and the pink that she brings really does provide that extra little touch that makes kindergarten so special. So, I want to say thank you so much for all the time and the dedication that you have provided to Ivy Charter, to our kinder students. Um and can we give a round of applause to Ms. Ruiz and her honey bunnies? Another teacher celebrating her 10 years is Dr. Amanda Pelos. So, she is our VAPA STEM teacher, and she is um our our only VAPA STEM teacher. We are such a large campus that she has the benefit of being there um all week, and she is packed to the gills. But what I want
022to talk about is her classroom, her presence, and especially this year, the magic that she's brought to our community school. Her classroom is absolutely organized. Again, it's very similar, and with everything is labeled, everything is organized to the point where the kids are very organized, and they produce such magic within her classroom. Not just in the art, but in the STEM and what they can do with the coding and what they can do really is demonstrated within her classroom, and that is the magic that she does have. But this year, this year, her input into what we've been doing with our community school and integrating lessons on the community and how our students can improve, this year she has really shown where her talents lie, and that's in not just building community, but making connections
023to community. She works tirelessly getting organizations and communication from other organizations to work with our students in order to really improve and provide some sort of guidance to our local governments about the sewage problem. It is something that she has jumped with both feet full in, and the teachers are actually taking her lead, and that is amazing. So, her ability and her willingness to really think outside the box is what makes her an unbelievable asset to Ivy Charter, and we're super grateful to have her. So, thank you very much, Dr. Pela. You've been here the longest, you'll be last. Come on, Ms. Tess. So, this Ms. Tess Ippolito, she is our LVN, and so she is at Ivy Charter. And so, Ms. Tess is celebrating her 10 years as well. And so, Ms. Tess's Well,
024first of all, she makes amazing lumpia pancit, but that's not why she's here. We appreciate Ms. Tess so much, and mainly that has to do with How do I put this? Her attitude in the office is hilarious. Um because whether she realizes it or not, while she's trying to be serious, she's trying to have a conversation with a 4-year-old or a 5-year-old or a 6-year-old about why you can't have more Skittles than 10 because you're a you're a diabetic, and they're having a full-blown conversation like it's a like it's a dissertation in the classroom. And the The part is that she talks to them like actual adults and they respond back in actual adults. That level of respect really goes and is shown across campus because students reach out to her and call to her
025and really do love her in a way that you wouldn't think an adult talking to a child about their their grams of sugar and things of that nature would really would really be important for them, but they see her as not just a resource, but somebody they can go to because cosmetically she keeps them safe and emotionally she keeps them safe because she cares for them like a Tita should. So, I want to say thank you again to Ms. Tess for her wonderful 10 years and many more to come. Thank you, Ms. Tess. So. Hanson Blanco is our custodian and we are also celebrating his 10 years at South Bay. So. He is He is a New Yorker at heart, so we will forgive him for that. Um especially when it's Padre season and he
026wears his New York Yankees hat. Uh many many arguments ensue. At least it's not Dodger blue, so we're okay. Uh So, for Hanson, I think one of the interesting pieces is that for him, one of the things that I appreciate is his attention to making sure that the school stay safe. This happens to be kind of his forte and his strength. Um today is a great example of that and this wasn't even included into the last minute. We had a report of something that was uh possibly uh an unsafe situation and Hanson immediately jumped into action and was willing to just really take the lead on all of that. And that is a mark of somebody who really cares about not just his work, but about the students and the staff that he serves. That
027is extremely important and beneficial not just in what he does, but in also in the fact that the kids say hi to him. They celebrated him on his birthday, especially in Ms. Ruiz's class, actually. Uh they sang him happy birthday, and you could hear halfway down the hallway. But again, it has to do with the fact of how much we truly appreciate everything that Hanson does, and that he shows up and is really present here for us and makes us really feel safe and protected. So, thank you, Mr. Hanson. Ms. Ruth Bejo, 30 years. This year she was even nominated and celebrated as our representative for Teacher of the Year. Very well deserved. Ruth says yes to everything. Everything. And what I mean by everything is if there's a special training, she'll say yes. If
028there's some way that she can learn and expand her teaching, she says yes. If there is something or some new project that's brand new, she will pilot it. She will say yes. If it's after-school clubs, she will say yes. And she spends so much time here in the care and the love and protecting the joy of our students that she is an integral piece of who we are. And it does not go unnoticed, and we are extremely grateful for everything that she does. Ruth is a local girl. Her father was someone who birthed many many children. Um people There we go. Mr. Ms. Delivered. Excuse me, delivered. I apologize. Delivered. I'm sure he can't birth people, but delivered. I apologize. But she he delivered many people in this community. Um and he was a staple
029and was really, um, a wonderful person in this community and Ruth is following his in his footsteps in serving the community as well. When you walk into Ruth's classroom, the amount of leadership that she teaches her children that inspires them to lead and take ownership in her classes is unmatched. I am extremely proud every single time I walk in there and the students come and take the lead and invite me to show me what they're learning. Want to talk to me about what they're learning. Want to show me what the impact is of their learning. Ruth is also extremely talented and I don't know how she does does this, but she does this at least three times a year where she gets all of the first graders to sing 30 minutes of songs that they
030memorized. I don't I don't know how you can get 70 first graders to do that, but she does it every single year. And it's a wonderful thing and it creates confidence in our children and creates confidence in those students and those smiles. With Ruth, her insight into not just the community, but her students and her families is unbelievably important and I am so grateful to have her. I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to work with her. She has a big heart. And I think her being born on Valentine's Day definitely gets the notice it deserves every single year. I want to say thank you, Ruth, for your 30 years, even though I've only been here for I can see how beneficial you've been all those 30 years. So, thank you very much. >> [applause]
031>> I'd like to call up Jaime Gonzalez, principal of Nestor Language Academy next. All right. My name is Jaime Gonzalez, proud principal of Nestor Language Academy, and today we recognize Sandra Gonzalez for incredible 20 years of service to SBUSD and also Nestor. Every one of those years have been dedicated right here or right there at Nestor where Sandra has served with care, consistency, commitment, and as a supervision assistant. And as Joe mentioned, the supervision supervision assistant title means everything, especially when you have somebody that's willing to do anything. I also know her as "Si, Señor Gonzalez" because every time I ask her to do anything, she says, "Si, Señor Gonzalez." And she runs and does it. That's like takes her time. She does it. She's running away before I end the sentence. So, I thank
032her a lot for that because as you all know, the supervision assistant is needed at the cafeteria, they're needed on the playground, traffic duty, angry parent every once in a while. Um so, she's able to resolve all those just experience at Nestor. Sandra's connection to Nestor began every even earlier as a parent when she entrusted Nestor with her son's bilingual journey. Since then, she has always stepped up to support the school community, whether covering additional areas as I mentioned or helping with the extra hours due to an absence. You'll also find her at all of the PTA events, all the after-school events. You'll hear her cheering on the soccer team, the fifth and sixth graders. Um and that's the gift she has to, voice projection. When you come When you come to Nestor from 10:45
033to about 1:00, you'll find her. You'll see her. That's a gift I don't have. I'll call a kid 17 times, they won't turn around. And then she does it one time, the kid turns around from a mile away. So, I really utilize that gift and utilize those assets. Again, thank you, Sandra, for your loyalty, dedication, and many years of service to Nestor and South Bay Union School District. We truly appreciate everything you do. Gracias. Now, I'd like to recognize Norma Sandoval from Nicoloff. Good evening. Buenas tardes a todos. I am very uh privileged today to honor four of our veteran 30-year service workers for South Bay Union. Ms. Gonzalez was not able to join us today because as a dedicated maestra, she's still sharpening the saw and taking a course. So, we will give her
034her recognition tomorrow during the morning news. We're going to go ahead and begin. Actually, wait a wait a Martita. So, Marta Herrera serves as a one of our instructional aids for special education, and she has been in our district in several schools. She started as an instructional aid a regular instructional aid, I believe, in Bayside. It seems like everyone starts in Bayside for some reason. In Feura Beach, she also worked there as well as Berry, Mendoza, Nestor, and finally in Nicoloff. She is one of the instructional aids now that works specifically with our special education students, and that is something that we are very thankful for because her patience and her love and dedication to the children is something that we don't take for granted and we really appreciate every single day that you dedicate
035and take time and work with every single one of them. I know how much you love Nikola. You and I have had those conversations and she loves being there every day. And as I got the gala, I appreciate you always remembering, you know, our little details and so I thank you very much for always bringing the positivity to our school. That's just why. Now I'm going to introduce you to You guys don't need an introduction to Silvia. Silvia, everybody knows Silvia, right? She's been at Nikola for a full 30 years. She said, "Make sure you tell them I was there the full 30 years." I'm like, "Well, technically, I if I remember correctly, you said you were there you weren't you a coach?" But she said, "6 years only, but every other years I was
036there. I was there." I'm like, "Okay." Oh yes, she was a Nikola coach. That's why you always argue that. Okay. So she's been in third grade, second grade, first grade and a coach for 6 years all at Nikola. Right, love? She also wanted to make Of course, you know Silvia, she's going to tell me what she wants me to tell her about the world about her, right? I I was already going to praise her for her work in biliteracy. When I came to Nikola, the work that the staff did, the parents is commendable and the work that you did Silvia along with our colleagues is something that I highly respect as a as a bilingual educator, as a mother, as an advocate, as a community activist. And so I really appreciate the energy you bring
037to Nikola. Well, sometimes you give me a little bit of a heartache there, but your passion is very much appreciated. And I don't know if you guys know, but she recently was given a recognition. She's going to be recognized this next Saturday. Friday? Friday. At San Diego State and she's going to be giving the Alberto Ochoa Service Award for her dedication to by literacy and that is something that I know is a great commitment. Profe Ochoa was my professor and to receive that award, I can tell you that it is not just an award but it's a commitment. It speaks to the dedication you have to community so um I'm very blessed to have you in our school. So thank you very much for all your service, Sylvia. Um and now I am lovely to
038introduce um Mr. Corrales who is also serving 30 años, 30 years at It's and also in different schools. I had to write this down. Uh you she said she worked also at Was it at Bayside? Bay- I told you guys everybody works at Bayside. And I have to write this down. It was Bayside, she was teacher of the year. Then at Mendoza, teacher of the year. Nicola, we're not Okay, you guys we got to step it up cuz we had a new teacher of the year tied by Nicole. In the years that I've known her, the two years I've been at Nicola, I can tell you that you know, the leader in me when we talk about what would you like to see, what would you like people to think about you. And the way
039that Nicole is with our staff, with our students, with our colleagues, with our families, that's what I envision a leader is is about and I really appreciate how much love you have for the children. The patience you have and you're always trying to collaborate and think the win-win. You really do embody the seven habits and I am very, very privileged to have you on our campus Working with our most struggling students in the reading and we wish we could have a thousand Nicoles, but what makes you you is you. So, thank you very much for all your service and 30 years of dedication to our staff. Thank you. Over here you There's flowers. I got to give you some flowers. It's 30 years, people. We're going to plant those roots somewhere. And now I'd like
040to introduce our principal Guadalupe from Onianta. Miss Solis. Good evening, South Bay. I am the proud principal of Onianta Elementary School and today I would like to take a moment to recognize five amazing individuals that have served Onianta. So, we are going to go ahead and start with Teresa, please. I would like to take a moment to recognize and celebrate an incredible member of our team, Teresa Onofre, for her 10 years of dedicated service to our students in our district. Over the years, she has served in multiple capacities including as a supervision assistant, a moderate severe special day class instructional assistant, and now as a TK instructional assistant. No matter the role, she has always led with compassion, professionalism, and a true commitment to student success. There are three qualities that truly stand out about
041Teresa. First, she is a positive and dependable team player. She's always willing to step in and lend a helping hand and support both students and staff in any way possible. Her positive attitude and reliability make her someone we can always count on. Second, she is incredibly knowledgeable and patient. Her expertise and instructional and behavioral strategies, especially when working with students with diverse needs, has made a lasting impact on so many students and families. She meets every child with understanding, encouragement, and care. And third, Teresa has a truly big heart. She genuinely wants the best for her for every student and works tireless tirelessly, excuse me, to help them feel supported, successful, and valued. Her kindness and dedication shine through in through in everything she does. Teresa, thank you for your years of service, your dedication,
042and the countless ways you have positively impacted our school community. You're such an asset to our team and we are so lucky and grateful to have you with us. Please join me in celebrating and thanking Teresa for her 10 years of service. And now, I have the honor recognizing our phenomenal learning acceleration tutor, Mrs. Bernie Smith. Okay. Mrs. Smith, she is being celebrated today for her incredible dedication and 30 years of service. 30 years to our district. Throughout her career, she has served at multiple sites and in many different capacities, always making a lasting impact on students, staff, and the entire school community. I've personally had the pleasure of working closely with Mrs. Smith these past 6 years, and she continues to amaze me every single day. She has taken on numerous leadership roles at
043Oneonta, including SST chairperson, greatest of all time, testing coordinator, Lighthouse Action Team Lead, supporting teach- teachers with designated ELD grouping and instruction, and more. Her knowledge, guidance, and leadership have strengthened our entire school community. Mrs. Smith is incredibly organized and detail-oriented. She approaches every task with care and precision. As our testing coordinator, she revised and refined our testing schedule a thousand times to ensure everything was perfectly prepared and ready to go on the very first day of testing. Her commitment to excellence gives all of us confidence and support. Mrs. Smith goes above and beyond to ensure students succeed academically. Over the past couple of years, and you know in education, data is important and speaks volumes. More than 90% of students, I can say almost 100 of them, who served target who she served and
044received targeted reading interventions, in her groups have advanced in their reading levels. That kind of growth is a dedicated is a direct reflection of her dedication, expertise, and tireless commitment to student success. And all of her accomplishments, Mrs. Smith is reliable, hardworking, and always willing to help her students, staff, and community in any way possible. She leads with kindness, professionalism, and a true passion for helping others succeed. Mrs. Smith, thank you for your 30 years of service, leadership, and commitment to education. We are beyond grateful for everything you do, and our Orca community and district are truly better because of you. Thank you. Natice, you're next. And now, our retirees. Natice, we would like to celebrate you, who will soon be happily retiring and relocating to Tennessee, right? She's looking forward to purchasing a home
045and even a horse for her amazing granddaughter, Magenta, who also happens to be to be one of our students, and someone we will miss very much as well. Today, we celebrate you, Natice, for being an incredible special education instructional assistant, serving South Bay since 2013. Natice began her career at Oneonta. Then, she decided to explore some opportunities at Ivy Charter and Sunny Slope. But then, in 2023, she realized how much she missed our community. All right, Natice? >> [gasps] >> So, she found her way back to us. We are so grateful she did. Natice has been an extraordinary part of our moderate severe special day class. Anyone who has worked with students with diverse needs knows that many of them, especially in our moderate severe SDC classes, knows that many of our students are non-verbal
046or have complex communication needs. So, it takes a very special person with patience, heart, and passion to truly support them. Natisse is that person. We can always count on her for her guidance, insights, and tips to help students thrive. And we all know we all know when Natisse is out and when she's absent. When we need to be extra alert because her students notice right away when she's not here. Every time the office gets a call from room 10 requesting extra support for a student having a challenging day, our team immediately says, "Natisse must be out today." And sure enough, it's true. Not only do her students miss her, but we all do, too, when Natisse is not around. Natisse, thank you for your dedication, your commitment, and your expertise. You've made a lasting impact
047on our students, our school, and our hearts. We wish you nothing but joy and a great adventure in your retirement in Tennessee. You deserve it. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, RIGHT? Let's see. Mrs. Delgado, you're up next. Sorry. Okay. I apologize. I'll go with Mrs. Hernandez. >> [laughter] [gasps] >> Mrs. Hernandez, a remarkable TK instructional assistant who is retiring after serving our district since 2004. She began her career at VIP Preschool as a bilingual instructional assistant and joined our Onyx team a few years ago when we opened our first TK class. From the very start, it was clear how how lucky we were to have her. Mr. Siegel, the TK teacher she supports, told me, "We got a We got very lucky with Mrs. Hernandez. She is awesome." And I couldn't agree more. Our school
048community has not only had the pleasure of working with Mrs. Hernandez, but also her daughter, Itzel, as one of our behavior intervention assistants. When I heard that Mrs. Hernandez herself was going to be joining our team, that was the moment I knew we were incredibly lucky to welcome another outstanding addition to our Orca family, especially knowing the great work ethic and heart her daughter brought to our school. Mrs. Hernandez is positive, reliable, sweet, caring, compassionate, and supremely professional. I can always count on her to support our students with patience, understanding, and grace. She is flexible, a true team player, and her willingness to learn new ways to support students is remarkable. These past couple of years, she has supported some very special friends who needed some extra support and extra patience and compassion. And they
049couldn't have been in better hands than with Mrs. Hernandez. Her dedication and heart have made a lasting difference in their lives and in the lives of all the students she has touched. Mrs. Hernandez, our school community will truly miss you. Thank you for your years of service, your kindness, and your commitment to our students. We wish you the very best in your retirement. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND NOW, LAST BUT NOT LEAST, MRS. Kim Delgado. Let's celebrate Kim, who is retiring after an incredible 37 years in education. I got that right, right, Kim? 37? Including 35 years serving in our South Bay community and two years to teaching overseas. I have had the pleasure of working with Mrs. Delgado for the past 6 years and her dedication, passion, and care have truly been inspiring. She
050is a true advocate for her students. She is always seeking out the right supports and resources for her students and their families ensuring that every child has what they need to succeed. Mrs. Delgado is highly organized and dependable. She consistently meets deadlines. Every time I ask the staff to turn something in, I can always count on Kim to turn it in on time. She supports her attendance goals, events, and maintains excellent communication with families through ClassDojo encouraging them to always and actively be involved in their child's education. She is thoughtful leader. She is a thoughtful leader and collaborator who truly embraces our Leader in Me philosophy. She understands the importance of instilling leadership skills in our students so they can practice the seven habits of highly effective people both at school and at home. From
051the moment I became a principal at Oñate, I valued her insights and suggestions in creating a positive, encouraging, and supportive environment not only for our students but also for our staff. Her care, professionalism, and commitment to student success have left a lasting impact on our school community. Mrs. Delgado, we are so grateful for your decades of dedication and the countless ways you have supported your students, your colleagues, and families. We wish you a retirement filled with adventure, travel, and all the amazing experiences you deserve. You will be deeply missed but your legacy will continue to inspire us every day. Thank you for for contributions to South Bay and our Orca community. And now we'd like to introduce the principal from Pence, Maria Preciado. Good evening, everybody. Tonight I'm here to honor Ms. Walker who has
052devoted more than 20 years to South Bay Union School District, or South Bay School District, sorry, serving across multiple schools and grade levels and bringing consistency, expertise, and deep care to Howard Pence Elementary School since 2012. As our sped lead, she is a trusted and respected leader who builds strong relationships with staff, students, and families, creating a culture of collaboration and support across our campus. She has a tremendous She has been a tremendous support to me personally, always willing to step up with professionalism and reliability, and is consistently willing to lead whenever her leadership is needed. Her deep knowledge of differentiation, accommodations, and MTSS has strengthened our systems of support and has ensured that all students receive the care and attention that they deserve. Simply put, Pence students and staff are incredibly fortunate to have
053Ms. Walker on our campus. Her impact is lasting, meaningful, and deeply appreciated. Thank you. Next, I would like to call out Mr. Tom Bevilacqua, our interim assistant superintendent. Good evening again. Please join me in celebrating Wendy Fitzgerald and her 30 years of dedicated service to education. Wendy began her career as a third-grade teacher at Central and throughout the years continually challenged herself to grow professionally in order to better serve students and families. She went on to become an education specialist serving at Nicoloff as an RSP teacher and an IEP chair before later earning her credential as an adapted PE teacher. She's currently serving in that role supporting students throughout the district. Known for her reliability, flexibility, and extensive knowledge of special education and all applicable laws, she's become a trusted resource for both colleagues, families,
054and our newest teachers, our interns. Her warm welcome and bubbly personality helps create positive connections with parents and students alike. A proud bilingual educator and lifelong learner, Wendy's commitment to students, staff, and the field of education has made a lasting impact across our district and community. Wendy, thank you for your 30 years of service to the students and families in the South Bay Union School District. Now, I would like to welcome Principal Carlos from Space. >> [applause] >> I'd like to start off by recognizing Christine Medina for 10 years of service. All right, during the time I've known Christine and it's only been this school year, it has been an absolute privilege to work with her. She provides such outstanding care to our students in her role of behavior intervention assistant. She used to work
055in the SEES program also with Miss There's a pattern here and now she's pleased with me. But she's you know, she from the SEES program to her time at Sunny Slope, she's always shown amazing dedication to the students that need the most support. Christine is everywhere she's needed. She's literally here, there, everywhere. She's zooming from one side of campus to the other to support students who are either having a rough day, to implement a token economy, or just simply to be out on the playground playing [clears throat] a game with the student that needs a buddy. She's consistent, she builds connection, and she's made a tremendous impact on students social emotional well-being. And she helps kids feel safe, supported, and successful. Christine, your work really matters and I am deeply grateful for the difference that
056you've made at Sunny Slope every day. And really, I feel very, very lucky to have you on my staff. Miss Berenice is a amazing supervision assistant and we're celebrating 10 years of service. Miss Berenice is on the playground and in cafeteria and she helps create an amazing and welcoming environment. I love that she's never absent. She is so dependable and if you're a principal, you know how important that is on the playground. I can always count on her to be there. She cares about students. She has this calm presence and she makes a difference every day. Berenice, I appreciate your kindness, your commitment and all the ways you support me and students. Thank you for everything that you do. Mr. Frank Frank Ramos uh retired in March. So, I have not seen him in a
057few months and um and I can tell you that everyone misses you at Sunny Slope. He has worked in the district for 34 years. 27 of those have been at Sunny Slope. Through the years, he's been a very important person on our campus keeping our school clean and safe and welcoming for all. Frank is a hard worker. He's dependable and he's [clears throat] just a nice guy with a really good attitude and it's just been a pleasure to work with him. I am grateful for all your years of dedication not only to Sunny Slope but to South Bay. I wish you a very happy and well-deserved retirement filled with relaxation, joy and many new wonderful memories including watching your beloved San Diego Padres. Congratulations, Frank. Call on Miss Mills. This is Michelle Mills. I am
058truly honored Michelle is retiring after 31 years of service including 17 at Sunny Slope. Um Oh, 31 at Sunny Slope. Okay, sorry about that. 31 years at Sunny Slope. Ms. Mills is loved by everyone. You can tell already, right? She's a She's a fun-loving person. She is the most energetic person on my staff. When I first met her at the first staff meeting, she did the splits and I thought, "Oh my goodness, who is this teacher?" >> [laughter] >> She's always moving. She's full of joy. She's constantly uplifting everyone around her with her positive attitude and spirit. Through her long career, she has made it a priority to understand and respond to this to respond to the needs of her students and I think that's what defines her. She's always responding to the students that
059she has in front of her and she knows them and she knows what they need and she makes sure that everybody gets what they need in all subjects and also emotionally. She is a source of encouragement and support for countless families through the her 31-year career. Her commitment and belief in every student's ability to succeed have left left a lasting impact on hundreds of students, probably thousands of students in our community. Ms. Mills, thank you for your passion, heart, and positivity that you have brought to the district every day. Sunny Slope will not be the same without you. I can tell you that for sure. I will miss you every day and I mean every day cuz I see her every day in the office taking chocolates from the candy dish. Um I wish you
060a retirement filled with happiness, relaxation, laughter, and all the joy you deserve. Congratulations. I'd like to call up Michelle Saverson from VIP. Before I start, is Maria Aguiar here? All right. Well, tonight I have the pleasure of honoring these two lovely ladies who have been with VIP for a combined 50 years. First step is Anna Peralta. She's being honored tonight for an incredible 20 years of service with South Bay Union School District, serving over 800 three- and four-year-olds at VIP. Congratulations to Anna Peralta for 20 years of dedicated service and an inspiring career as a preschool teacher. Your commitment to early learning, language development, and nurturing young minds continue to make a lasting impact on children, families, and community. I'd like to highlight her recent recognition at the San Diego County Office of Ed Leadership
061in Biliteracy Symposium, a well-deserved honor that reflects her passion, leadership, and excellence in early childhood education. Thank you. Ms. Anna Molina is being recognized up here. For her for her 30 years of dedicated service to the South Bay Union School District, supporting over 1,180 three- and four-year-olds at VIP Village. That's a lot of 3-year-olds. Congratulations to Anna Molina on 30 years of dedicated service and an outstanding career as a preschool teacher. Your commitment to supporting young learners through our inclusion program and your recent transition to full-day preschool as a preschool teacher reflect your passion, flexibility, and continued dedication to early childhood education. Thank you for your lasting impact that you have made on children, families, and colleagues throughout the years, and hopefully a few more. However, she has a new title to her name. She's
062Grandma of three three babies this in the last couple months. I want to thank both of you for your leadership, your hard conversations, and your knowledge at VIP. I appreciate both of you. And next up, Mr. Esparza wants me come through. Before we turn it over to Board President Esparza, I would like to give a big round of applause again to all of our honorees. >> [applause] >> We required a few extra minutes to shake hands. Uh I would also like to thank the HR team for organizing and putting this wonderful event together, and Miss Amy Cooper and Denise for their support with it as well. Thank you. Now, I'd like to call on President Esparza for her closing remarks this evening. Okay, thank you, Assistant Superintendent. What a great evening. This is amazing. On
063behalf of my board colleagues, thank you for joining us tonight to honor some of the South Bay's amazing employees. Having staff that stay for 20 years or longer and spend their careers with us is a quite an accomplishment. It speaks about the care we have for each other. The dedication we all have to the work we do and that the South Bay is a great place to work. As a board president, I'm honored by your dedication to our district and awed by your long service and many contributions to educating the students of South County. The board remains focused on creating a district that is the foundation of our community. And we recognize our staff is an important part of our vision. Thank you for joining us for this wonderful celebration. Um special thanks to the
064human resources team for their work planning for this event. And congratulations to all the recipients and best wishes for retirees. Have a wonderful night. Thank you.