Director of Student Success Services and Executive Assistant are Final 2026 Riverside County Educators of the Year

MENIFEE AND RIVERSIDE – Amidst cheering colleagues, cameras, and congratulatory flowers, a district administrator in Menifee and an executive assistant in Riverside were named as the final two 2026 Riverside County Educators of the Year during surprise visits to their district offices on Wednesday, January 21, by Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez.

Each year, Dr. Edwin Gomez, conducts surprise visits to name the seven Riverside County Educators of the Year, who are selected from the more than 40,000 employees serving 430,000 students in more than 500 schools. All honorees will be recognized at the 2026 Celebrating Educators Luncheon set for May 6, at the Riverside Convention Center.

About the 2026 Certificated Administrator of the Year – Melinda Conde

Director of Student Success Services, Menifee Union School District

“Ms. Conde has created and implemented a district attendance playbook by standardizing attendance teams, implementing strong processes, and early intervention across all schools in the district,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez, during the surprise visit. “She has strengthened district-wide leadership practice by establishing clear expectations for decision making through complex challenges and building accountability systems and coaching for site and district leaders that ensure every department and school remains focused on student belonging and success.”

“I want to do well for all of you, for the kids, and for our families,” said Melinda Conde, minutes after the surprise announcement to a conference room filled with colleagues, family, and board members. “We have to care for the adults who care for the kids, and I just want to do a good job for you guys and for kids, and to make things work.”

Melinda Conde’s professional career includes roles as a probation officer, 8th-grade math teacher, curriculum coach, assistant principal, and principal. She currently serves as the Director of Student Success Services at Menifee Union School District, where she leads efforts to ensure that every system, every action, and every adult in a school district understands the “why” behind the vision and purpose of ensuring students benefit from their educators becoming the best versions of themselves.

In her role, she has systematized the work of community liaisons to better support foster and unhoused students, expanded access to mental health services, and strengthened school connectedness and overall student well-being. Melinda’s leadership has led to a 10% drop in chronic absenteeism and a 2% average daily attendance (ADA) increase through a comprehensive Attendance Re-Engagement Initiative that was awarded a Golden Bell from the California School Board Association (CSBA) in 2025.

Colleagues recognize Melinda for “cultivating a team that is not only efficient, but also deeply committed to supporting every student,” and for being “a compassionate, strategic, and results-driven leader who embodies the values of equity, collaboration, and excellence.”

Melinda earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in education. She holds a multiple-subject teaching credential and an administrative services credential. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in educational leadership. Melinda is a resident of Homeland.

About the 2026 Confidential Employee of the Year – Araceli Zavala

Executive Assistant II, Riverside Unified School District

“Araceli plays a critical role in the onboarding of educational leaders to Riverside Unified by expertly coordinating confidential personnel processes involving hiring, onboarding and staffing,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez. “She has supported student leadership development by inviting, guiding, and encouraging students to participate in interview panels, making the process available, accessible, empowering, and confidence-building, while exposing them to career pathways in leadership and human resources.”

“I am very grateful and very honored for this award,” said Araceli to a conference room full of colleagues immediately after the surprise visit. “Thank you all, because I couldn't be where I'm at without all your guidance and support throughout all these years.”

In her 24 years of educational service, Araceli Zavala has worked in higher education, multiple district office settings, and for the last four years as an Executive Assistant II to the Assistant Superintendent of Personnel, Leadership, and Development at Riverside Unified School District.

Araceli’s goal is to support educators, staff, and families, so they can thrive in pursuit of their goals. She brings her expertise to professional development settings, secretary trainings, the social committee, and to every incoming phone call that she sees as “an opportunity to build trust.”

In her day-to-day efforts, she often works behind the scenes while demonstrating a commitment to welcoming applicants for district positions, onboarding new employees, organizing professional development events, and seeking solutions through strong communication and supportive relationships.

Colleagues describe Araceli as “providing constant, crucial support with a consistent display of grace and understanding.” Others describe how her “passion, dedication, and innovative spirit in service are admired and appreciated by everyone who has the pleasure of working with her.” She is a resident of Moreno Valley. 

The full list of categories and honorees for the 2026 Riverside County Educators of the Year:

Riverside County Site Support Employee of the Year
Casey Rogers
Instructional Coach of Athletics – Expanded Learning, Alvord Unified School District

Riverside County Classified Employee of the Year
Daniel Whitman
Database Analyst, Jurupa Unified School District

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Riverside County Principal of the Year
Melissa Galataud
Principal, Nellie Coffman Middle School, Palm Springs Unified School District

PRESS RELEASE: Nellie Coffman Middle School Principal Named 2026 Riverside County Principal of the Year

Riverside County Classified Administrator of the Year
Karen Owen
Chief Business Official, Romoland School District

Riverside County School Counselor of the Year
Alejandra Guzman
Middle School Counselor, Pinacate Middle School, Perris Union High School District

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Riverside County Certificated Administrator of the Year
Melinda Conde
Director of Student Success Services, Menifee Union School District

Riverside County Confidential Employee of the Year
Araceli Zavala
Executive Assistant II, Riverside Unified School District

The Riverside County Educators of the Year are selected from the more than 40,000 educational employees in the county. The rigorous application process starts with nominations by teachers, classified employees, and school district administrators throughout the county. Applications are then submitted to the Riverside County Office of Education, where an outside selection committee selects the honorees before the county superintendent's announcement.

Along with the 2026 Riverside County Teachers of the Year named previously, all 2026 Riverside County Educators of the Year will be honored at the Celebrating Educators Luncheon, set for Wednesday, May 6, at the Riverside Convention Center.

Clarification: The 2026 Riverside County Teachers of the Year were named mid-2025 to align with the 2026 California State Teacher of the Year competition. The 2027 Riverside County Teachers of the Year will be announced in May/June of 2026 and will vie for the 2027 California State Teacher of the Year award, which will be named in the fall of 2026 by the California Department of Education and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The 2027 Riverside County Teachers of the Year will be honored at the Celebrating Educators Event in May 2027.

2026 Riverside County Teachers of the Year (named in mid-2025)