State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Honors 2026 California Classified School Employees of the Year

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond honored nine outstanding classified school employees today for their dedication to California’s public school students. The Classified School Employee of the Year (CSEY) winners were recognized at a special event in downtown Sacramento attended by the honorees, other classified school employees, superintendents, principals, and the event sponsors: the California School Employees Association, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, and the California State Lottery.

“California’s classified school employees are often the first to welcome our students each morning and the last to ensure they are supported at the end of the day. These outstanding award recipients represent the best of the countless classified employees serving schools across our state,” said Superintendent Thurmond. “I am grateful for the commitment they bring to their work every day, and I am proud to recognize their extraordinary contributions to California’s school communities.”

Superintendent Thurmond attended today’s recognition event for the annual CSEY program, which honors outstanding classified school employees in the following occupational categories: Clerical and Administrative Services, Custodial and Maintenance Services, Food and Nutrition Services, Health and Student Services, Paraprofessional Services, Security Services, Skilled Trades Services, Technical Services, and Transportation Services. This year’s recipients were chosen from 141 nominations statewide.

A selection committee evaluates the applications using eligibility criteria and performance documentation in work performance, school and community involvement, leadership and commitment, local support from colleagues who speak to the nominee’s exemplary work, enhancement of classified school employees’ image in the community and the school, and any other areas the school deems exceptional and pertinent to the CSEY Award. Finalists are approved by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction or the State Superintendent’s designee.

The 2026 Classified School Employees of the Year are:

• Angela Cruz, Library Media Technician, Stuart Mesa School, Oceanside Unified School District, San Diego County (Clerical and Administrative Services category, five years of service)
• Albert Macias, Custodial and Maintenance Services, Millville Elementary School, Millville Elementary School District, Shasta County (Custodial and Maintenance Services category, five years of service)
• Jillian Bowerman, Food Service Lead, Fox Road Elementary School, Hughson Unified School District, Stanislaus County (Food and Nutrition Services category, five years of service)
• Vanessa Bennett, Associated Student Body Clerk, Foothill High School, Shasta Union High School District, Shasta County (Health and Student Services category, 17 years of service)
• Raelene Velasquez, Paraeducator, Sunburst Youth Academy, Orange County (Paraprofessional Services category, nine years of service in current position)
• Tracy Hardy, Campus Safety Officer, Bret Harte Middle School, Hayward Unified School District, Alameda County (Security Services category, 25 years of service in current position)
• Pablo Lopez, Senior Heating and Air Conditioning Fitter, Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles County (Skilled Trades Services category, nine years of service in current position)
• Jorge Orellana, Technology Operations Specialist, Ross Valley School District, Marin County (Technical Services category, five years of service in current position)
• Perrin Turney, Bus Driver, Kneeland School District, Humboldt County (Transportation Services category, five years of service in current position)

National Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Award

For her dedication to creating community and belonging at school, Raelene Velasquez of Sunburst Youth Academy also has been nominated to be recognized as a RISE recipient. The RISE Award is a national honor given each year to classified school employees who are doing extraordinary and inspirational things in their schools and communities to promote quality education, foster safe and positive learning environments, and ensure student success. Each year, the U.S. Department of Education invites states to submit their top exemplary classified employee nominations for the opportunity to be selected and recognized as the national honoree by the U.S. Secretary of Education.

The CSEY program is presented in partnership with the California School Employees Association. Please visit the California Department of Education CSEY web page for more information. California’s Classified School Employee Week, established as an official week of statewide recognition in 1986 through Senate Bill 1552, is celebrated May 17–23, 2026.

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Tony Thurmond — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5602, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100