Employee Honors 2022
Congratulations to all of our honorees!
You make TEAM Lucia Mar better and we thank you for Putting Our Kids First.
CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
VERONICA JOHNSON
Oceano Elementary
TEACHER OF THE YEAR
SHARI WOOKEY
Fairgrove Elementary
20 YEARS OF SERVICE RECIPIENTS
CLASSIFIED RETIREES
CERTIFICATED RETIREES
SITE TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
Scott Shepard
Arroyo Grande High School
Many of us have the absolute honor and pleasure of knowing Scott over the 36 years he has served AGHS as a teacher and a coach. Words can not accurately capture all the invaluable wisdom and mentorship that Scott provided to the thousands of students, as well as the staff at AGHS over those 38 years. He is the model Eagle; a consummate professional, wholly dedicated to improving the lives of students, in the classroom and on the field, and the embodiment of integrity. We are excited for Scott for this next chapter, but simply put, there will never be another Scott Shepard.
Gia Fulton
Branch Elementary
Gia Fulton is the teacher of the year at Branch Elementary. Gia works tirelessly to support her kindergarten and first grade students. After students leave for the day, she shifts her support toward colleagues, working with student teachers, serving as a TIP mentor teacher, and as our ELD Coordinator. We can always count on Gia to translate at a moment's notice and she is always professional and positive. She brings out the best in everyone around her and we are so lucky to have Gia serve as our TOSA next year. Thank you, Gia, for making every single day matter.
Troy Dotinga
Central Coast New Tech High
Troy Dotinga is ALL about supporting students and making our school better each year. He excels not only as a math teacher but also in the role of Link Crew Teacher/Advisor. As a school of choice in the district, recruitment and retention are very important aspects of our school. Troy's leadership, guidance, motivation, and hard work have been pivotal in reviving and enriching our recruitment and student body. Thank you Troy for ALL you do for our students and school community. Congratulations on being our site teacher of the year…truly well deserved!
Ana Johnson
Dana Elementary
Mrs. Johnson is a vital member of our school community and truly deserves this honor and recognition. Ana has such a wonderful and positive spirit and is always smiling! I love to walk by her classroom and hear her joyous laugh. Mrs. Johnson has contributed so much to our school over the years. Ana is a continual inspiration to her colleagues. As one of our site TOSAs she presents professional development that is fun and engaging and she is always willing to help her colleagues in any way. Ana, along with other teachers, heads up our Dana student leadership program (The Dana Diplomats), where students learn important leadership skills by participating in team building activities and performing vital spirit building functions at our school. She also runs our student Tech Crew, assisting our students in becoming experts in school related technology. Due to Ana’s contagious energy these students have developed the skills they will need to become confident leaders. Mrs. Johnson provides a strong and rigorous academic program for her students, and she is always looking for new and innovative ways to support and engage her students. She is the perfect choice for our Dana Teacher of the Year!
Melissa Nichols
Grover Heights Elementary
Generous, dedicated, joyful, warm-hearted, enthusiastic, caring, encouraging, diligent, inspiring, considerate, devoted, professional, fun and hilarious. These are some of the words that our Grover Heights staff has used to describe our teacher of the year, Mrs. Melissa Nichols. Melissa is a team player and will do anything to support her students, their families, and our Grover Heights community. We are proud of you, Melissa…this recognition is so well deserved!
Petra Reynolds
Grover Beach Elementary
Grover Beach International Baccalaureate Elementary School celebrates Petra Reynolds as the site Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Reynolds has devoted herself to changing the world one student at a time. She is a gifted educator and a strong collaborator. In her role as the IB Coordinator she has worked tirelessly to support teachers to create challenging, engaging, and inspiring classrooms that stimulate the child and deliver the International Baccalaureate model.
Ashley Madsen
Harloe Elementary
Ashley Madsen goes above and beyond for the students, families and staff at Harloe on a daily basis. She is a true example of a dedicated educator that always puts students first. Mrs. Madsen is a leading force in Harloe's Intervention Team as well as Harloe's' Teacher on Special Assignment. She has managed a very successful intervention program that supports over 125 students. As a TOSA, she helps plan and deliver Professional Development, manages Student Success Team Meetings, serves on the Instructional Leadership Team, troubleshoots technology issues and more. Whenever needed, Mrs. Madsen has always come through for the students and staff at Harloe. At arrival, you can find Mrs. Madsen greeting students, by name at one of our gates! The positive impact she has had on student learning is evidenced in student data. The impact she has had on campus culture is visible each time she interacts with a student, family or staff member. It is this and so much more makes Mrs. Madsen our Teacher of the Year. We are very grateful for her dedication to students and her commitment to excellence. Congratulations Mrs. Madsen!
Maira Licea
Judkins Middle School
Maira Licea has transformed the ELD and language programs at Judkins. As the middle school newcomer magnet for LMUSD, I have come to appreciate the monumental task she has of teaching students to read and write in English as well as navigate the American school system. Some of the newcomers cannot read and write in their native language which only makes her task more challenging. She has compassion and patience. She was an ELD student herself and understands where her students are coming from. Her Spanish if flawless and she is an incredible Spanish I teacher. We are so thankful that she is a Panther. This award is long overdue!
Alison Sauve
Lange Elementary
Alison Sauve is wonderful model of researcher, teacher, and problem solver. Ms. Sauve is our Special Education resource specialist. She is kind and compassionate with her students and is constantly researching best practices to help her students grow academically and socially. She collaborates with the general education teachers to promote a team approach in addressing her students' needs.
This year she took on the role of PBIS Coordinator for Lange and has done a fantastic job leading us in strengthening our PBIS implementation.
We are fortunate to have Ms. Sauve as a part of our Bobcat team and our Lucia Mar Team!
This year she took on the role of PBIS Coordinator for Lange and has done a fantastic job leading us in strengthening our PBIS implementation.
We are fortunate to have Ms. Sauve as a part of our Bobcat team and our Lucia Mar Team!
Danny Ender
Lopez High School
Danny Ender started his career in Lucia Mar in 2006 as a student teacher. His principal (both then and now, Jenn Bowen) quickly identified him as a stellar alternative education teacher and hired him immediately! Staff was never sure if it was his cool hair or his tubular hobbies, but he quickly developed rapport with students, created engaging lessons, and fostered a calm, discussion based learning environment that created an everlasting strong foundation for teaching and learning. Danny has led the LHS staff through WASC visits and has been an integral part of the PBIS team as well. Lopez HS is proud to call him their Teacher of the Year!
Doug Machado
Mesa Middle School
Mesa Middle School
For over two decades Mr. Machado has put students first. If you ever have had the great fortune to walk into Mr. Machado's classroom you would have seen joy, passion, hard work, and great concern. Joy- Mr. Machado loves his job and almost always has a smile on his face when he is with students. In fact, Mr. Machado could have retired last year, but finds so much joy in teaching that he chose to stay on for an extra year (we are so lucky he did). You also always see joy on his students' faces as they are able to engage with content in a way they enjoy with a teacher that loves what he does. Passion- Mr. Machado is dedicated. He is often the first person to show up daily to the school. He plans with students in mind and is always ready to learn something new. This is especially impressive in his last year as a teacher. Hard work- Mr. Machado almost never takes a break. At school, you will always see Mr. Machado working. He is either meeting with other teachers, working with students, planning, or organizing some lunchtime activity for students. Concern- Mr. Machado incessantly worries about his students. He worries if he is reaching them. He worries about their future. He worries about their present. He takes these worries and plans to meet their needs. In summary, Mesa has been so incredibly fortunate to have had Mr. Machado as a teacher all these years. Mesa is a better place because of Mr. Machado, so is Lucia Mar, so is the world, and so are all the students he has worked with. Thank you for everything Mr. Machado and congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.
Cheryl Whitford
Nipomo Elementary
Nipomo Elementary
Cheryl Whitford is an extremely kind and helpful individual. She always has her students and staff members' best interest at heart. She has a very warm, caring, and inviting personality, which makes her a great teacher and coworker. She finds a bright side to every situation. Her door is always open for those who need it. She is very knowledgeable in regards to the best teaching practices and how to make sure her students get the most out of her lessons. Cheryl's third grades have mastered multiplication this year and most have mastered division! Cheryl is a valuable member of the Nipomo Elementary Instructional Leadership Team. Cheryl is a great collaborator and a lifelong learner who has a growth mindset. She is a role model for all!
Kendra Finley
Ocean View Elementary
Kendra has been recognized by her peers for her invaluable contribution to OV students and staff. She continually leads her team of paras to provide the best possible behavioral, social emotional, and academic support her students need. As a crucial member of our MTSS team, she has helped us create systems of support for ALL Ocean View students. She's always looking out for what's best for the team and willing to adapt and support in any way possible. She knows how to work with various groups of people to do what's best for our students. She is continually working with her peers to identify new teaching and learning techniques, create new content to improve student learning, and provide much needed comic relief.
Leslie Thomas
Oceano Elementary
Mrs. Thomas is a fantastic teacher! She creates a academic environment of high expectations with high support. Her classroom is a calm, safe space for kids, where they are made to feel comfortable taking risks in pushing themselves to make progress. She knows all of her students very well, and differentiates so students stay engaged and succeed. Oceano Elementary congratulates Mrs. Thomas on this honor!
Gwyn Kelly
Pacific View Academy
Gwyn began her career in LAUSD and wore many hats while in working with middle schoolers. From teaching math and science to PE and Student Government, she was always very involved in her school site. Gwyn isn't new to helping districts launch new schools, like she's done so with Pacific View Academy. She also helped to start a Science/Technology Magnet school in LA. In the late 90's she moved to this area and began with LMUSD at AGHS. She then moved to help open Nipomo High School in its infancy where she continued to teach math and added on AVID. She is an advocate for ALL kids, works tirelessly to ensure her students learn, and is up for continuing to learn, modeling that she truly is a lifelong learner herself. She is retiring after a long and successful career, impacting many lives. Her fellow Pelicans are sad to see her take flight and proud she is representing PVA as the TOY!
Irina Stanculescu
Paulding Middle School
Congratulations to 2021-22 Paulding Teacher of the Year, Irina Stanculescu! Mrs. Stanculescu is an exceptional educator and she plays a crucial role in the Paulding Special Education Department, as the Department Chair. She productively supports and collaborates with her colleagues offering sound advice that will undoubtedly transform instruction and support. Her work ethic is admirable and she is a passionate advocate for all students. She truly puts students first! She is greatly admired and respected by both her students and our staff. Paulding is so thankful to have Irina as part of our team!
Rachel Muetzel
Shell Beach Elementary
Rachel Muetzel is an extremely deserving recipient of the Shell Beach Elementary Teacher of the Year for 2021-2022. Simply put Mrs. Muetzel is an exemplary teacher. She is always thinking about how to improve the learning of her students and is extremely reflective in her practice. Mrs. Muetzel is also a standout teacher leader on our campus who always helps to make decisions that puts our kids first! Our school is a better place because of Mrs. Muetzel. Congratulations, Rachel!