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SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Six recipients of the 2022 San Bernardino County Classified School Employees of the Year (CSEY) were recognized during a June 15 event at Dorothy Inghram Learning Center in San Bernardino.
“I am honored to be recognizing our San Bernardino County Classified School Employees of the Year. Each honoree embodies what it means to be a servant leader,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “We are celebrating these individuals who characterize excellence in transforming lives through education.”
Since 2008, the California Department of Education has offered the Classified School Employees of the Year program to highlight exemplary employees. Award recipients are nominated by their school districts and selected by a countywide judging panel. The San Bernardino County recipients are automatically submitted for consideration at the state level.
The six honorees, by category, selected for 2022 are:
• Paraprofessional—Julie Maloney is a library media technician at Valley Elementary School with the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District. Having served in the position for six years, her colleagues, in their nomination, shared that she is a positive, energetic force who inspires students to challenge themselves in their reading efforts. During the summer of 2021, Maloney created a mobile library that allowed parents drive-through access to check out reading materials and textbooks. When COVID restrictions resulted in a library closure, she completely revamped the library, which allowed teachers to have easy access to multiple levels of small group intervention reading materials. She was instrumental in receiving hundreds of books for the students.
• Clerical and Administrative Services—Stacy Gillespie is the assistant principal secretary at Ruben S. Ayala High School with Chino Valley Unified School District. She has served in the position for eight years. Gillespie is well-known and a vital member of her school and community. She has been a student advocate, a club advisor and the school’s spirit advisor for six years. Gillespie leads the school’s Advanced Placement Testing by organizing and executing a seamless testing season each school year. She also volunteers to assist and support events and organizations that benefit the students and community.
• Food and Nutrition Services—Jeffrey Jungnickel is a child nutrition delivery driver of seven years with Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District. His peers and co-workers shared that he is always there to meet the needs of all 12 kitchens with no request too small. Jungnickel has been quick to adjust his personal time to receive calls to check on equipment, and he does not hesitate to make himself available 24/7 in case of emergency. He is lauded by staff for being cheerful, positive, cooperative and supportive. He has been effective in explaining and providing insight on policy and procedures.
• Custodial and Maintenance Services—Joseph Davis is the lead custodian at Park View Middle School in the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District, a position he has held for seven years. His fellow team members said Davis takes great pride in keeping the campus clean and ready for students. He works collaboratively with staff to determine the best way to keep students safe and healthy. Davis also provides ongoing training and support to his team to build their capacity and knowledge base. His colleagues describe him as a creative problem solver and a leader, and he is well respected by the members of the custodial staff and the entire school.
• Health and Student Services—Brandy Osborn is a health technician of five years who serves at Competitive Edge Charter Academy with the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District. In her nomination, fellow team members shared that while Osborn may be called a school nurse, a better description would be “school mom.” Her effort is noticed by all staff members and, more importantly, by the students. Osborn is calm, confident and maintains a positive attitude when dealing with difficult situations, even when she may be facing an angry parent or scared student. Her unflappable positivity helps students feel safe and cared for.
• Technical Services—Jon Duncan is an information technology support specialist of eight years at Etiwanda High School with Chaffey Joint Union High School District. Duncan’s co-workers and peers have said that he is an amazingly hard worker and have commented on how much they appreciate him and what he does daily. No matter how big or small the issue is, Duncan is patient and helpful to everyone, regardless of their tech level or ability. He truly cares about the school and that is reflected in his work ethic. His co-workers appreciate that he is the type of person who will not leave until the job is done. During the pandemic, Duncan’s job and importance to the campus increased exponentially. All teachers and students relied heavily on technology, and he graciously supported all, even remotely.
This year’s honorees each received a $250 dollar check from the event’s corporate sponsor, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union. The awards ceremony was also livestreamed on the SBCSS YouTube channel.
For more news and information, visit the SBCSS Newsroom and follow us @SBCountySchools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. #transforminglives.
