4 SoCal nominees recognized as California Classified School Employees of the Year
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California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond is honoring nine outstanding school employees – including four from SoCal – for their dedication to public school students.
The annual Classified School Employees of the Year program honors outstanding employees in the following categories:
Paraprofessional services
Clerical and administrative services
Transportation services
Food and nutrition services
Health and student services
Custodial and maintenance services
Security service
Health and student services
Technical services
Skilled trades services
A total of 134 nominations were submitted statewide, education officials said in a media release. Of those 134, nine were selected.
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Of those nine, four were from Southern California school districts:
Aries Lewis: Clerical and administrative services – Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District
Aries Lewis plays a “pivotal role” in fostering positive connections between her schools — Green Valley and Oak View High Schools — and the community, particularly in supporting at-risk students. Lewis dedicates herself to guiding students through transitional services and collaborating with military recruiters.
“A testament to [Lewis’] commitment is her unwavering support for families after meetings, and she earns their trust in the process,” the California Department of Education said. “Lewis actively participates in community events…to emphasize the importance of school presence in the wider community.”
Lewis has worked with the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District in San Bernardino County for five years.
Conception “Connie” Flores: Cook/Baker – Garden Grove Unified School District
Connie Flores “wears many hats” in her role as cook and baker at Garden Grove High School in Orange County, education officials said. She is the school’s catering chef, makes all the meals for the café in the district office and, as the cook at one of Garden Grove Unified School District’s largest high schools, helps to provide over 1,000 meals every day.
“Anyone who has placed a catering order with the Garden Grove Unified School District, along with all the students who have tasted her meals, have experience the value of her cooking,” the state education department said of Flores. “Her impact also extends beyond the kitchen…she fosters a supportive work environment, nurturing the skills of her colleagues and student workers.”
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Outside of the cafeteria, Flores, who has put in 23 years of service for the district, participates in charity work; she is described as a “beloved figure” both in the school and the wider community.
Isaiah Joiner: School security – Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District
Isaiah Joiner is described as one of Mesa View Middle School’s best campus security staff officers. State education officials commended Joiner for his “exemplary understanding of what it means to make students feel safe” during a period of relative uncertainty for middle school-aged children.
“Whether coordinating athletic events, supporting schoolwide restorative practices or participating in various school activities, he consistently seeks ways to enhance the overall educational experience for students,” education department officials said.
Joiner, who has worked for the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District for over a decade, was also honored for “going above and beyond” as a campus safety officer.
Joseph Federico: Skilled trades services – Los Angeles Unified School District
Senior Tile Layer Joseph Federico is an integral part of finishing critical assignments — like keeping school restrooms open — with “record completion times,” state officials said. Federico single-handedly runs a crew of 23 employees while tirelessly working on the many projects he gets assigned.
“Federico’s impact extends beyond the confines of his immediate workplace as he actively engages with other departments to streamline processes and optimize resource utilization,” the California Department of Education said. “His collaborative efforts have led to the implementation of innovative strategies that have resulted in cost savings and improved operational efficiency across the district.”
Federico has worked with the district for 24 years.
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Each nominee will be recognized by Thurmond at a luncheon in Sacramento on May 23.
California Classified School Employee Week, which was established in 1986, is celebrated from May 15 to May 25.
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