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Teachers, principals and school employees of the year honored at luncheon
Teachers, principals, and school employees of the year were honored today (May 11, 2010) by the Riverside County Office of Education at the Celebrating Educators Luncheon at the Riverside Convention Center.
Also receiving awards were inductees into the Riverside County Education Hall of Fame for community members and business partners who have shown outstanding support for education.
Honorees included:
The honorees are:
Co-Administrator of the Year (Certificated):
Cynthia Glover Woods, Director of Elementary Education
Alvord Unified School District
Co-Administrator of the Year (Certificated):
Jodi McClay, Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment K-12
Temecula Valley Unified School District
Administrator of the Year (Classified)
Mays Kakish, Assistant Superintendent, Business Services
Beaumont Unified School District
Co-Principal of the Year
Melissa Bazanos, Principal, Edgemont Elementary School
Moreno Valley Unified School District
Co-Principal of the Year
Kyley Ybarra, Principal, Frank Augustus Miller Middle School
Riverside Unified School District
Confidential Employee of the Year:
Joyce Threadgold, Executive Secretary II
Riverside Unified School District
Classified Employee of the Year (Nominee to State):
Sue Nichols, Library Clerk
Rosa Parks Elementary School
Corona-Norco Unified School District
Site Support Employee of the Year
Patty Johnson, Student Assistance Counselor
Norco High School
Corona-Norco Unified School District
2010 Teachers of the Year
Meline Akashian, Temecula Valley High School
Temecula Valley Unified School District
Amber Carrow, Chemawa Middle School
Riverside Unified School District
(Also a State Teacher of the Year)
Brenda Kincaide, Valley View High School
Moreno Valley Unified School District
The Hall of Fame inductees are:
Nancy M. Divine, retired district administrator for the Hemet Unified School District.
K.R. Zack Earp, past Board of Education member for the Alvord Unified School District.
Getty George III, volunteer in the Alvord Unified School District.
Victor Giardinelli, former member of the Board of Education in the Menifee Union School District
Wanda Schneider, regional director for the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program.
The Celebrating Educators Luncheon is sponsored by the Riverside County Office of Education, Altura Credit Union, and Life Touch Prestige Portraits in recognition of the county’s outstanding educators. Nominees in all categories from school districts throughout the county were honored. The county level winners were featured.
Biographies:
 Cynthia Glover Woods
Co-Administrator of the Year (Certificated)
Director of Elementary Education, Alvord USD
Cynthia Glover Woods has been a school administrator for 14 years, working in the field of education for 20 years. She has been a teacher, principal, coordinator, and currently serves as Director of Elementary Education. Cynthia is a member of numerous professional organizations including Association of California School Administrators, National Association for Elementary Principals, California Association of African-American Superintendents and Administrators, National Alliance of Black School Educators, National Staff Development Council, and Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Nominators shared that Cynthia performs her work with optimism, integrity, vision, and professionalism and “she has exemplified what she believes, that we can teach every child, and every staff can find the beginning points for improvement and then move forward on behalf of student achievement.”
 Jodi McClay
Co-Administrator of the Year (Certificated)
Director, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment K-12, Temecula Valley USD
Jodi McClay has been a school administrator for 12 years, working in the field of education for 17 years. She has been a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and currently serves as Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment K-12. Jodi is a member of the Association of California School Administrators, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, National Association for the Education of Young Children, International Reading Association, and Phi Delta Kappa. Nominators said that Jodi “has had a tremendous positive impact on the culture, achievement and instruction” within the Temecula Valley Unified School District and that “her strategic, unending focus on continuously improving classroom instruction is her forte and passion.”
 Mays Kakish
Administrator of the Year (Classified)
Assistant Superintendent, Business Services, Beaumont USD
Mays Kakish has been an administrator for 10 years, working in the field of education for 13 years. She has served as a substitute teacher, senior auditor, accounting supervisor, director, and currently is the Assistant Superintendent, Business Services. Mays serves as a member of several Joint Power Authorities in Riverside County including Riverside Schools Insurance Authority, Riverside Schools Risk Management Association, and Riverside Employer Employee Partnership for Benefits. She is also a member of the California Association of School Business Officials and Association of California School Administrators. Nominators wrote that “under Mays’s direction, the quality associated with the BUSD Business activities are second to none. Mays’ leadership involves communication, collaboration, and accountability” and “she has high expectations and willingly leads by example.”
 Melissa Bazanos
Co-Principal of the Year
Principal, Edgemont Elementary School, Moreno Valley USD
Melissa Bazanos has been a principal for 4 ½ years, working in the field of education for 10 ½ years. She has served as a substitute teacher, teacher, assistant principal, and currently serves as Principal of Edgemont Elementary School. Melissa is a member of various educational organizations including Association of California School Administrators, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, California Association of Bilingual Educators, National Association of Elementary School Principals, and Association of Moreno Valley Management Personnel. Nominators share that Melissa “has created an atmosphere at our school where students are eager to perform well because she is visible and truly cares” and that “she is an extraordinary leader and team member who helps her staff and students to function as a part of an educational team.”
 Kyley Ybarra
Co-Principal of the Year
Principal, Frank Augustus Miller Middle School, Riverside USD
Kyley Ybarra has been a principal for 5 years, working in the field of education for 16 years. Kyley has served as a teacher, resource specialist, counselor, literacy coach, assistant principal, and currently serves as Principal of Frank Augustus Miller Middle School. She is a member of the Association of California School Administrators and was nominated and inducted as a member of the Whitehead Leadership Society Charter, University of Redlands. Nominators wrote that Kyley “is a student and staff centered leader, understanding that her work has a direct impact on the quality and content of the instructional program, and ultimately the academic and personal achievement of our students.”
 Meline Akashian
2010 Teacher of the Year
Temecula Valley High School, Temecula Valley USD
Meline Akashian teaches English at Temecula Valley High School in the Temecula Valley Unified School District. She has 15 years of teaching experience. Meline has a bachelor’s degree in English from San Diego State University and a master’s degree in educational administration from Grand Canyon University. She is co-chair of the English department, a former leadership teacher, member of the district curriculum committee, mentor, and master teacher. Nominators wrote that “Meline is teaching Advanced Placement English 11, English 11, and Expository Reading and Writing Curriculum for 12th graders. She is a member of a school team that created Pathways to Success…Meline makes a positive impact through her initiative and her desire to have us all reach our potential.”
 Amber Carrow
2010 Teacher of the Year
Chemawa Middle School, Riverside USD
Amber Carrow teaches World History at Chemawa Middle School in the Riverside Unified School District. She has six years experience as a teacher. Amber has a bachelor’s degree from Pitzer College in Claremont and a master’s degree in education from Claremont Graduate University. She has been awarded a Barbara Kerr grant to create a multi-cultural fair, and an Earthwatch Teacher Fellow grant to do environmental research in Nova Scotia while teaching through blogs and webcasts. Amber serves on the History Trimester District Test Assessment Committee, Cesar Chavez Club Coordinator, Planned Learning Community Committee, and Youth Service California, among others. Nominators said “Amber is an excellent communicator and often displays her love of kids and her love of learning. She is often sought out by staff members as a resource for teaching strategies, as well as a person who is widely accepted in circles of friendship and collegiality.” Congratulations to Amber for also being selected as one of the California State Teachers of the Year.
 Brenda Kincaide
2010 Teacher of the Year
Valley View High School, Moreno Valley USD
Brenda Kincaide taught dance at Valley View High School in the Moreno Valley Unified School District. She had 29 years of teaching experience. Brenda earned her bachelor’s degree from Pepperdine University. She served on the Curriculum Development Committee, the District Performing Arts Cross Articulation Committee, acted as the “Eagle Talk” student forum discussion group leader, “Improve at the View” lunchtime art showcase group leader, “Biggest Loser” staff trainer, and was a Black Student Union “No Limits, No Excuses” facilitator. Nominators shared that Brenda “has developed her dance program from a physical education alternative class to a ‘standing room only’ all inclusive dance program including a dance team, concert dance classes, choreography classes, and beginning level classes…she is always thinking of innovative and exciting ways to encourage students to participate in high school activities.” Sadly, Brenda recently lost her battle with breast cancer and passed away a few months ago. She will be missed by the many students whose lives she touched.
 Joyce Threadgold
Confidential Employee of the Year
Executive Secretary II, Riverside USD
Joyce Threadgold has been a confidential employee for 12 years, working in the field of education for 32 years. She is currently a member of the Riverside Unified School District Office Employee Association and the Riverside Association of School Managers. Nominators wrote that “Joyce can be described as a person that truly cares about the people and the educational system she serves. She maintains a professional demeanor under diverse circumstances, and is able to problem solve, find creative solutions and move forward in a positive direction.”
 Sue Nichols
Classified Employee of the Year (Nominee to State)
Library Clerk, Rosa Parks Elementary School, Corona-Norco USD
Sue Nichols has been a classified employee and working in the field of education for 8 years. She is currently a member of PTA and has held offices in various community organizations including Girl Scouts, the Pregnancy Counseling Center of Corona, and the First Congregational Church of Corona. Nominators share that Sue “consistently works with colleagues to enhance library offerings, professional practice, and provides support to all teachers in helping them access grade level enrichment materials” and “she has inspired several students that would have otherwise ‘slipped through the cracks’” with her “unique way of motivating the children” and having them excited to visit the library each week.
 Patty Johnson
Site Support Employee of the Year
Student Assistance Counselor, Norco High School, Corona-Norco USD
Patty Johnson has served as a site support employee for 17 years, working in the field of education for 34 years. She is a member of the American School Counselors Association, California Association of School Counselors, and My Prevention Community. Nominators noted that Patty “is a problem solver, a great listener and has provided compassion and understanding to thousands of students in her long career” and “the Patty Johnson’s of the world know that they have the inherent power to help all students succeed.”
The Hall of Fame inductees are:
 Nancy Divine
Hall of Fame
Nancy Divine is a retired administrator for the Hemet Unified School District. She has been an educator for more than 30 years, starting as a kindergarten teacher in 1969 in Barstow. She taught in Hemet starting in 1978, earning a master’s degree from Azusa Pacific University, and served as a principal, Director of Instructional Support, and Area Administrator. She helped align elementary, middle, and high school curriculum, provided professional development for teachers, and served on numerous committees, including Measure T to fund improvements to schools. Nominators said Nancy’s “contributions and personal qualities have always supported students being offered the best opportunities to learn and become competent and contributing members of society.”
 K.R. Zack Earp
Hall of Fame
K.R. Zack Earp is a former board member of the Alvord Unified School District. He is a decorated Vietnam veteran and Alvord graduate. He was an instructional aide, K-8 teacher, elementary, and middle school principal. Zack served on the board of education for 11 years, served as a California School Boards Association delegate assembly member, and chaired the Education Committee at the local, state, and national level of a veteran’s organization. He co-chaired the Alvord Stadium Committee that raised $300,000 and co-chaired the committee creating the Donor Wall in the stadium plaza. Zack chaired the district’s bond committee to build classrooms and is a member of many other district and community committees. Nominators shared that “Mr. Earp served as an advocate for students first.”
 Getty George III
Hall of Fame
Getty George III is a volunteer in the Alvord Unified School District. He is a retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Colonel with a master’s degree from University of Wyoming. He co-chaired the Stadium Committee, served 16 years as a member of the Alvord Educational Foundation, and helped pass Measure H bond for Hillcrest High School. Getty wrote several grants to support schools, including grants that helped fund science clubs at elementary schools. He is currently a booster member at La Sierra and Norte Vista high schools and is active with a program to combat obesity in middle schools. Nominators said that “Getty George is Mr. Alvord. His only motivation for helping the district is to improve and increase opportunities for students, staff, and employees to reach higher levels of accomplishments.”
 Victor Giardinelli
Hall of Fame
Victor Giardinelli is a former member of the board of education in the Menifee Union School District. He served on the board for 21 years. Victor has served as an elementary school teacher and principal in the Perris Union High School District. He served on the Riverside County Committee on School District Organization, the Perris Union High School District Bond Oversight Committee for Heritage High School, and numerous committees for the California School Boards Association and National School Boards Association. Nominators note that “Mr. Giardinelli was instrumental in guiding the district through rapid growth and the building of schools, curriculum, and assessment reform and development and maintenance of positive employee relations. Vic was a ‘doer’ and never too busy to lend a helping hand or support a district or site event.”
 Wanda Schneider
Hall of Fame
Wanda Schneider is a regional director for the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program, which helps prepare high school students to enter college and become successful. She started teaching in 1970 in Laredo, Texas. Wanda came to Ramona High School in 1982 where she was a counselor and created the AVID program. It was the first AVID program outside of San Diego County, and it now has 450 students and is one of the biggest AVID programs in the world. Wanda has helped expand the program to more than 200 schools. Nominators shared that “It would be difficult to estimate how many students have achieved the goal of a college acceptance because of her efforts. Wanda Schneider is the face of AVID in our region.”
For information contact:
Rick Peoples,
Public Information Officer
Telephone: (951) 826-6642
Fax: (951) 826-6199
rpeoples@rcoe.us
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