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Five new inductees selected for Riverside County Education Hall of Fame
Two former superintendents and three extremely involved and active community volunteers have been selected for induction into the Riverside County Education Hall of Fame. They will be honored at the 2009 Celebrating Educators Luncheon, scheduled for May 19, 2009, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Riverside Convention Center, 3443 Orange Street, Riverside. (Registration information)
The Hall of Fame inductees are:
Katherine Wright is the retired Interim Superintendent of the Alvord Unified School District in Riverside. She worked 33 years for the Alvord district as a teacher, administrator, preschool supervisor, project specialist, principal, Coordinator of Curriculum Development, Assistant Superintendent, and Deputy Superintendent -- twice as Interim Superintendent. She is active with many organizations, including Riverside Dollars for Scholars, Riverside Dickens Festival, Mission Inn Foundation, Youth Service Center, and many others. Nominators said she “has impacted the lives of 400,000 students during her years of service” and “has been a mentor to many in the educational community…her professionalism and dedication to the education profession are highly respected throughout not only the Alvord Unified School District, but the greater educational community in the Inland Empire.”
Gladys J. Walker retired in January as the Interim Superintendent for the Riverside Unified School District. She began her career as an elementary school teacher in the Alvord school district in 1975. She was Principal for Ramona High School in the Riverside district in 1992, Assistant Superintendent, and Deputy Superintendent for Instructional Services. She became Interim Superintendent in 2008. Nominators said “she has been a member of the Riverside community for 35 years…she has been a staunch advocate for public education, an inspirational teacher, a motivational leader, and an involved community member….she is always striving to make Riverside a better place for all of its residents.”
Alberto C. Silva is a parent in the Coachella Valley Unified School District. He became involved with the Coachella Valley district where his three children attended school by participating in the Migrant Education Program, and is currently the Migrant Education Parent Advisory Committee President. He is a member of many school site committees, and now helps motivate and train other parents to become involved in school activities. Nominators said “Mr. Silva has donated his time to first learn how he can work hand in hand with the school system…then became a member of different committees where his is actively involved…he is an outstanding role model as a father, he advocates for student’s and parents’ rights…and he has never stopped learning and updating his presentations in order to become an effective and motivational parent presenter….His children feel very proud of their father going to different schools to present to other parents and how he has been growing as a leader.”
Harry Colmer is a garden volunteer at Pauba Valley Elementary School. Mr. Colmer is a Marine Corps veteran, serving from 1950-53 as a Tank Commander and Gunner in Korea. He lives near Pauba Valley Elementary School and began volunteering to help in the school garden, now spending 800-900 hours a year at the school. He helped add a pond and waterfall, and created a water feature that students could use to study life cycles. He also helped build a shed, greenhouse and hydroponics building. He comes daily, spending three to four hours a day in the garden. All students attend “garden time” every other week. Nominators said “it is easy to look at the structures he has created and be amazed, but what is most impressive is the knowledge and passion he has passed on to our students…the students plant, grow and cultivate their own fruits and vegetables and when they are just right, he serves them up for all students to taste… he encourages students to recycle, and uses the recycling to earn cash for the garden…he has worked to make our garden totally self-sufficient by raising the necessary funds to pay for each endeavor. Our garden is an inspiration here at school, and we have had visitors from throughout the state and beyond.”
Charlene Busch is a community member and volunteer in the Perris Union High School, Perris Elementary School, and Nuview Union school districts. She was nominated by superintendents from all three districts. She and her husband, Barry, owned the Amigos Tres Restaurant in Perris and she began teaching in Perris in 1997. She joined the Nuview School District Board of Trustees in 2000. She is also a member of the Nuevo Municipal Advisory Committee. She established the reading tutorial programs using high school athletes as role models in Perris elementary schools, created and supported programs to adopt underprivileged families for holiday programs in Perris, and created the Rotary Readers program in Perris. She implemented and trained staff in the 40 Developmental Assets Program in Perris, and has led the fundraising effort for the Perris High School aquatics program. She is the force behind a swimming program which is a collaboration of the city of Perris, Perris Union High School District and YMCA. Nominators said “her accomplishments speak for themselves. The response to her reading programs has been overwhelming…Her service to the community in the name of children is an inspiration to all those who work with her. Simply put, Charlene will do anything for kids.”
The Hall of Fame honors individuals who have provided strong support for public education. They will be honored along with the county classified and confidential employees, teachers, principals and administrators of the year (press release), including:
Co-Administrator of the Year (Certificated):
Barry L. Kayrell
Superintendent of Schools
Beaumont Unified School District
Co-Administrator of the Year (Certificated):
Guy Romero
Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services
Murrieta Valley Unified School District
Administrator of the Year (Classified)
Leslie F. Ventuleth
Chief Human Resources Officer/District Spokesperson
Perris Union High School District
Confidential Staff Member of the Year:
Gracie L. Mendez
Executive Secretary I
Riverside Unified School District
Classified Staff Member of the Year (Nominee to State):
Julie Poirier-Leyva
School Bus Driver
Lake Elsinore Unified School District
2009 Teachers of the Year (announced June 2008):
Sunny Kaura
Centennial High School
Corona-Norco Unified School District
Katie Kearney
James Day Middle School
Temecula Valley Unified School District
Loredana Wicketts
Eisenhower Elementary School
Corona-Norco Unified School District
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 will be honored. The county level winners will be featured.
For information contact:
Rick Peoples,
Public Information Officer
Telephone: (951) 826-6642
Fax: (951) 826-6199
rpeoples@rcoe.us
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