CSEY Application Documentation Instructions

This web page contains information about the requirements for Demonstration of Excellence that must be completed in the Classified School Employees of the Year (CSEY) Application.

Demonstrations of Excellence Components

The Demonstration of Excellence must include the following components:

Demonstrations of Excellence – Work Performance

Requirement: Include a detailed description and specific examples of how the nominee demonstrates excellence in work performance, especially what the employee does within the scope of their work responsibilities that has an exceptionally positive impact on students, families, and colleagues. (Not to exceed 250 words.)

Demonstrations of Excellence – School and Community Involvement

Requirement: Include a detailed description and specific examples of how the nominee demonstrates excellence in school and community involvement, creating an exceptionally positive impact on the broader school community, even if outside of the scope of one’s job. (Not to exceed 250 words.)

Demonstrations of Excellence – Leadership and Commitment

Requirement: Include a detailed description and specific examples of how the nominee demonstrates excellence as a leader within their profession and school community. (Not to exceed 250 words.)

Demonstrations of Excellence – Local Support

Requirement: Please provide examples of enthusiastic testimony from co-workers, school administrators, community members, students, or families who can speak to the nominee's exemplary work. (Not to exceed 250 words.)

Demonstrations of Excellence – Enhancement of Classified School Employees’ Image in the Community and Schools

Requirement: Include a detailed description of how the nominee lifts up the importance of classified school employees in the community, increasing community awareness of the positive impact that classified school employees have on students and schools.

Demonstrations of Excellence – Any Other Areas

Requirement: Include a detailed description and specific examples of how the nominee demonstrates excellence in any other areas. (Not to exceed 250 words.)

Video

Requirement: Please submit a video using specific examples of why your nominee should be selected as a 2026 Classified School Employee of the Year.
This video can include testimony from the nominators, a brief interview of the nominee, or a combination thereof.

Video should not exceed two minutes.

Examples can be requested from awards@cde.ca.gov.

All county coordinators should submit the nominee's videos online at the 2026 CSEY Video Submissions.

Naming convention: Please name the video file for each nominee as follows: County Name, District Name, Nominee First Name and Last Name, followed by Occupational Specialty.

Example: San Diego Poway Unified Jame Smith Transportation Services

Headshot

Requirement:

• Include two professional-quality headshots. These headshots may be from the same photo shoot but should include different angles, framing, or lighting if possible. The purpose of including two headshots is to ensure at least one high-quality headshot that may be used in a press release and on social media immediately upon announcement of recognition.
• Picture files should be in color, portrait orientation, and be at least 300ppi in either png or jpg format.