The Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) and the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region VII partnered earlier this month to honor outstanding non-supervisory classified education employees in Stanislaus County.

School districts throughout the county selected their own honorees for the “Employees Making a Difference” program and forwarded nominations to SCOE. Twenty-eight outstanding classified staff were honored at the event on Jan. 21. Of those recognized, nine honorees – one from each of the nine work categories – were selected to represent Stanislaus County in the California Department of Education’s statewide recognition program. The representatives announced included:

Shelly Gentry, Warehouse Delivery Driver – Equipment Service Worker, Oakdale Joint Unified School District, Transportation Services Category;

Becky Hudson, Office Manager II, Ceres Unified School District, Clerical & Administrative Services Category;

Barry Finneman, Lead Custodian/Maintenance & Grounds, Waterford Unified School District, Custodial & Maintenance Services Category;

Jillian Bowerman, Cafeteria Lead, Hughson Unified School District, Food & Nutrition Services Category;

Ricky Bispo, Student Support Specialist, Stanislaus County Office of Education, Health & Student Services Category;

Hope Lyons, Instructional Para Special Ed. PK-12, Modesto City Schools, Paraprofessional Services Category;

Kristin Casad, Noon Duty Supervisor, Sylvan Union School District, Security Services Category;

Paul Sollitt, HVAC/Electrician, Empire Union School District, Skilled Trade Services Category; and

Daniel Jimenez Soto, Computer Technician/Paraprofessional, Chatom Union School District, Technical Services Category.

Also nominated and recognized at the Jan. 21 gathering but not selected as state finalists were local district representatives, Oakdale Joint Unified School District employee June Gibson, Health Aide, Cloverland Elementary School; and Riverbank Unified School District employee Virginia Felix, Library Clerk, Mesa Verde Elementary.

Additionally, Fabiola Zapien, a Paraprofessional II from Patterson Joint Unified School District, received the annual Jane Johnston Civility Award for exemplifying the principles of civility both at work and in her personal life.

“We recognize classified staff as leaders in the success of every school and every student,” said Stanislaus County Superintendent of Schools Scott Kuykendall. “Their impact often shows up in ways that aren’t measured on a test, but are felt in a child’s sense of belonging, safety, and hope. They are essential, valued, and deeply appreciated.”