First 2023 Riverside County Educators of the Year Named in Surprise Visits

A school counselor with a desire to promote STEM opportunities for under-represented students at Riverside County’s largest high school, and an administrator who ensures that students and families remain connected with school despite challenging circumstances, were surprised with the news on Tuesday, February 7, that they had been named the first 2023 Riverside County Educators of the Year by Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez.

Both honorees are employees of the Corona-Norco Unified School District and were celebrated by colleagues, board members, family members, and school/district employees. Five additional surprise visits are planned throughout February. All honorees will be recognized at the 2023 Celebrating Educators Luncheon set for May 2, at the Riverside Convention Center.

“Our first two 2023 Riverside County Educators of the Year are great examples of dedicated educators who recognize that connecting with students and families is the most powerful way to ensure that all students are successful in our educational system,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez. “Students who are in search of a caring adult on campus, and parents who are in need of additional support to ensure their students’ success, are the focus of these first two educators of the year, and I’m proud to recognize them for their outstanding example of servant leadership.”

School Counselor of the Year

Hilda Jauregui-Castanon has served as a school counselor for 15 years—including 8 years at Riverside County’s largest school, Eleanor Roosevelt High School in the Corona-Norco Unified School District. Ms. Jauregui-Castanon is involved in multiple leadership roles, including the development of the Puente Program that helps under-represented students graduate from high school, become college-eligible, and apply to college with the support of a team. Her use of data to establish a student-centered focus is the foundation upon which she strives to be the adult on campus that students can trust to be “seen”.

“I try to do everything with students in mind, and to make sure everyone on my team is focused on the support of students,” said Hilda Jauregui-Castanon, amidst a classroom full of students and supporters, moments after being surprised with the news that she is the 2023 Riverside County School Counselor of the Year. “I didn’t know what was happening with all these people here, but I am truly honored and humbled by this award.” 

“This year, Hilda’s goals were about catching students early on, to find out what they need, and to be there for them until they feel like they’ve got it,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez. “She is not only helping students with their GPA, but with their social-emotional health as well.”

Certificated Administrator of the Year
Cassandra Willis leads the Parent Center for Corona-Norco USD which connects parents and families with additional resources and opportunities to ensure that students thrive—regardless of the boundaries they face in school or in life. By listening intently, and instilling hope, Ms. Willis and her team utilize a combination of data and out-of-the-box thinking to provide customized approaches to keeping students on track to graduate. Now entering her 30th year of education, Ms. Willis believes that effective leadership is based on capturing the hearts of those she is blessed to lead, and building positive relationships every day.

“I had no idea, and am overwhelmed by all of this,” said Cassandra Willis as she entered a large training room filled with colleagues, administrators, and even her daughter, as she learned that she is the 2023 Riverside County Certificated Administrator of the Year. “Please don’t ever change my job—I have the best job in the district because I get to live out my passion every day and love on people. My team and I love to instill hope in everyone we meet.”

“Cassandra, you are a woman of great empathy, compassion, and wisdom. Among the more than 3,000 administrators in Riverside County, your outstanding contributions mean that you are the one—the 2023 Certificated Administrator of the Year,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez, as he addressed Ms. Willis with the award. “Not only does her team offer supports, but, more importantly, they teach families how to advocate for themselves, and provide them with tools that will help them gain their long-term independence.”

The full list of categories and honorees for the 2023 Riverside County Educators of the Year:

·         Riverside County School Counselor of the Year

Hilda Jauregui-Castanon, School Counselor

Corona-Norco Unified School District

·         Riverside County Certificated Administrator of the Year

Cassandra Willis, Director of Student and Family Support Services and Family Engagement
Corona-Norco Unified School District

·         Riverside County Classified Employee of the Year – TBD later in February

·         Riverside County Site Support Employee of the Year – TBD later in February

·         Riverside County Classified Administrator of the Year – TBD later in February

·         Riverside County Principal of the Year – TBD later in February

·         Riverside County Confidential Employee of the Year – TBD later in February

The Riverside County Educators of the Year are selected from the more than 36,000 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 2023 Riverside County Teachers of the Year named previously, all 2023 Riverside County Educators of the Year will be honored at the Celebrating Educators Luncheon, set for Tuesday, May 2, at the Riverside Convention Center.

Clarification: The 2023 Riverside County Teachers of the Year were named in mid-2022 to align with the 2023 California State Teacher of the Year competition. The 2024 Riverside County Teachers of the Year will be announced in May/June of 2023 and will via for the 2024 California State Teacher of the Year award that will be named in the fall of 2023 by the California Department of Education and State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond.

2023 Riverside County Teachers of the Year (named in mid-2022):