Dr. Deneen Guss, County Superintendent of Schools
Teacher of the Year and Classified School Employee of the Year 2025 Awards Ceremony
The Monterey County Office of Education honors our highly esteemed countywide Teacher of the Year and Classified School Employee of the Year awards in each of our thirteen categories. All honorees were awarded in spring of 2025. In addition, all awardees received a $500 cash award made possible by the generous sponsorship of Chevron.
Teacher of the Year
The Teacher of the Year Program highlights educational innovation, student learning, and the rewards of teaching. The purpose of the Program is to honor the teaching profession and to heighten interest in teaching as a career. The program affords the opportunity to bring attention to teachers who successfully employ strategies to increase academic success and narrow the achievement gap among a range of students.
Teachers are selected based on background experience and professional development activities, professional biography, student achievement, school-community involvement, and philosophy of teaching.
Classified School Employee of the Year
The Classified School Employee of the Year Program highlights nine significant categories that serve Monterey County's education system. The purpose of this honorable recognition is to bring attention to employees who go above and beyond to make a positive impact in their categories of service.
Classified school employees are selected based on work performance, school and community involvement, leadership and commitment, local support, school image enhancement, and willingness to go above and beyond.
High School Teacher of the Year and Overall Monterey County Teacher of the Year Awardee!
Monterey County Teacher of the Year Award Winners
Ben Holliday, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
Will Cobley, Monterey County Office of Education
Dania Zalat-El Baghdadi, International School of Monterey
Monterey County Classified School Employee of the Year Award Winners
Karen Kushel, International School of Monterey
Angelo White, International School of Monterey
Nancy Derr, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
Brenda Perez, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
Fran Ryder, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
Erik Lualemana, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
Leticia Rivera, Soledad Unified School District
Roy Telles, Greenfield Union School District
Diego Mandujano Macias, Salinas Union High School District
Monterey County Teacher of the Year and Classified School Employee of the Year Nominees
Elementary School Teacher
Denise L. Hardoy, San Lucas Union Elementary School District
Elva M. Vega, Alisal Union School District
Norma A. Virgen, Greenfield Union School District
Juan Menendez Trapiella, King City Union School District
Ursula Moncrief, Lagunita Elementary School District
Sulema Rodriguez, Santa Rita Union School District
Sonia Sanchez Lee, Soledad Unified School District
Special Education Teacher
Suzanne M. Fleming, Salinas Union High School District
Catalina Arroyo, Soledad Unified School District
Clerical and Administrative Services
Elvia Hernandez-Segura, Alisal Union School District
Elizabeth Natera, Greenfield Union School District
Karen G. Rios, King City Union School District
Julie N. Gonzales, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
Juana P. Silva, North Monterey County Unified School District
David Bollin, Salinas Union High School District
Norma L. Bozzo, Santa Rita Union School District
Virginia Arreola, Soledad Unified School District
Custodial and Maintenance Services
Miguel A. Esparza, Alisal Union School District
Mayra Pacheco Martinez, Greenfield Union School District
Charles V. Alston, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
Manuel D. Placencia, Salinas Union High School District
Rodolfo Moreno, Santa Rita Union School District
Rodolfo Canchola Rodriguez, Soledad Unified School District
Food and Nutrition Services
Kirk C. Olivarria, Alisal Union School District
Cesar Zarate-Ruiz, Big Sur Unified School District
Araceli Sifuentes, Greenfield Union School District
Leticia E. Ramirez, North Monterey County Unified School District
Maria E. Saavedra, Salinas Union High School District
Ava C. Castillo, Soledad Unified School District
Health and Student Services
Adela G. Alvarez, Greenfield Union School District
Erika J. San Paolo, Salinas Union High School District
Elizabeth Donato, Santa Rita Union School District
Olga Gabriela Casillas, Soledad Unified School District
Middle School Teacher
Heather Martin, Big Sur Unified School District
Matthew Benjamin Garcia, Greenfield Union School District
Micheyla Haro, International School of Monterey
Thomas Baker, King City Union School District
Sonia C. Cortez, Salinas Union High School District
Bona Garretson, Santa Rita Union School District
Miriam A. Antunez Lopez, Soledad Union School District
High School Teacher
Maria I. Cano, Salinas Union High School District
Mary A. Oxendine, Soledad Unified School District
Paraprofessional Services
Maria A. Ortiz, Alisal Union School District
Yesenia Aguilar Garcilazo, Greenfield Union School District
Lizbeth S. Serrano, King City Union School District
Maria A. Bravo, Monterey County Office of Education
Alma Perez, North Monterey County Unified School District
Connie G. Frausto, Salinas Union High School District
Gloria M. Cortez, Santa Rita Union School District
Fatima Lizbeth Gonzalez Vazquez, Soledad Unified School District
Security Services
Carmen Sepulveda, Alisal Union School District
Anabel S. Olvera, Greenfield Union School District
Laurie Raetz, King City Union School District
Olga M. Rice, Monterey County Office of Education
Marcus A. Washington, Salinas Union High School District
Marisela Estrada, Santa Rita Union School District
Skilled Trade Services
Sim Fallan, Soledad Unified School District
Frank Rodriguez, Salinas Union High School District
Technical Services
Humberto Plaza Martinez, Greenfield Union School District
Alonzo Cornejo, Salinas Union High School District
Robert R. Rodriguez, Santa Rita Union School District
Transportation Services
Aida S. Estrada, Alisal Union School District
Eduardo C. Schulz, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
Monterey County Office of Education Internal Award Winners and Classified School Employee of the Year Nominees
Special Education Teacher
Paraprofessional Services
Security Services
Thank you to our wonderful sponsors for supporting this event and helping recognize our outstanding teachers and classified employees!
Diamond Level Sponsors
Gold Level Sponsors
Silver Level Sponsors
In-Kind Sponsor
Archived TOY/CSEY Ceremonies
View the Teacher of the Year & Classified School Employee of the Year Award Ceremony webpage.
TOY/CSEY 2024 Award Ceremony Webpage TOY/CSEY 2023 Award Ceremony Webpage