Surprise Announcements Reveal First Riverside County Educators of the Year

The first three of seven unsuspecting educational employees from across Riverside County were surprised in their offices last week by the news that they were chosen as 2016 Riverside County Educators of the Year by the Riverside County Office of Education. The remaining surprises will be conducted over the next several weeks in districts across the county. The first surprise took place in the district offices of Corona-Norco Unified School District. Communications Manager Evita Tapia-Gonzalez was participating in a meeting when Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Kenneth M. Young, and a camera crew entered the room to make the announcement that she was selected as the 2016 Riverside County Classified Administrator of the Year. Ms. Tapia-Gonzalez has served in her position for four years and is a resident of Corona. She was recognized by her nominators for helping the district achieve new levels of community engagement through strategic partnerships with businesses, organizations, community leaders, law enforcement, and more. “I am overwhelmed, shocked, and humbled by this award,” Tapia-Gonzalez said. “I love what I do. There is nothing more gratifying than working for your community. I put every ounce of effort into what I do.” The second surprise took place at the district office of the Moreno Valley Unified School District. Regina Castellano has worked in the education field for nearly 20 years and currently serves as an Administrative Assistant in the office of the Chief Academic Officer. Ms. Castellano was named the 2016 Riverside County Confidential Employee of the Year due in part to her assistance in creating and running after-school math tutoring programs, providing an exemplary level of customer service, and assisting students with developing communication and life skills. One nominator described the San Jacinto resident as “the compass in our district and people follow her unwavering standard of team spirit and solution-oriented behavior.” “I am overjoyed and overwhelmed. I work with such amazing people,” Castellano said. “I take great pride in what I do, from being a parent to being a grandma. I’m just one piece of the puzzle, but I am a grateful piece of that puzzle.” The final surprise of the day took place at the Instructional Support Services office of the Alvord Unified School District when Superintendent Young named Katie Chapman as the Classified Employee of the Year in Riverside County. Ms. Chapman has served as the Assistant to the Director for 15 years in the Instructional Support Services unit at Alvord USD. Beyond supporting the director, her job consists of providing support to 33 different employees. The Riverside resident is also involved in coordinating student events and fundraising to support Alvord USD students who participate in science fair and spelling bee competitions. One nominator described her as “seeing the possibility of all things and is generous with her time and resources.” Another colleague noted how “she routinely puts the needs of those she works with and the district before her own.” “There are oodles of great classified employees and to be selected for this award is just so humbling,” Chapman said immediately after the surprise announcement. All honorees will be announced during the month of February and will be officially recognized at the annual Riverside County Celebrating Educators Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 10, 2016, at the Riverside Convention Center. The 2016 Riverside County Teachers of the Year were announced in June 2015 (see previous news releases) and will be honored at the same event this May. “We started making the surprise announcements in person a few years ago. I felt it was important to bring the surprise recognition visits to the location where they do their excellent work every single day,” Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Kenneth M. Young said. “It’s been obvious from the reaction of employees today that these selections were right on target.” The 2016 Riverside County Educators of the Year are as follows: Classified Administrator of the Year — Evita Tapia-Gonzalez, Communications Manager, Corona-Norco Unified School District Confidential Employee of the Year — Regina Castellano, Administrative Assistant, Moreno Valley Unified School District Classified Employee of the Year — Katie Chapman, Assistant to the Director, Alvord Unified School District Certificated Administrator of the Year — TBD Principal of the Year — TBD Counselor of the Year (New Award for 2016) — TBD Site Support Employee of the Year — TBD Educators of the year are selected by a committee comprised of Riverside County educators—including former honorees—that review nominations, letters of recommendation, and other criteria. Committee members also conduct selected site visits and interviews as part of the awards process.