San Diego County Office of Education

Wednesday's Board of Education started off on a celebratory note by recognizing SDCOE’s Classified Employee of the Year, Amanda Bates, and Teacher of the Year, Kristin Tanner. In addition, they presented ceremonial resolutions to CSEA President Katie Andersen (Classified School Employees Week) and SDCAE President Stephanie Cruz (California Day of the Teacher). And finally, the Board celebrated the San Diego County Scripps Regional Spelling Bee champion, eighth grader Benjamin Reinhard from Maranatha Christian School; and runner up Alyssa Meulemans from Saint Columba School. https://bit.ly/3MWPIlT

Congratulations to them all!

Pictured with board of education members, student board members, and Dr. Gloria E. Ciriza, superintendent, are:
📸 Amanda Bates
📸 Kristin Tanner
📸 Katie Andersen
📸 Stephanie Cruz
📸 Benjamin Reinhard
📸 Alyssa Meulemans

May is a special time in our school communities when we take a moment to pause and recognize the many individuals who work hard to ensure our students, educators, and families are thriving.

Acknowledging them with a simple note or a few heartfelt words of appreciation can mean so much to school and district staff, not just this month but all year long. A simple act can go a long way to making someone feel seen, heard, and valued.

Today is California Day of the Teacher, a day to celebrate teachers – past, present, and future. We all remember the special teachers who made a difference in our lives as children, or we dreamt about becoming a teacher after reading a story to our favorite stuffy. Teachers leave a lasting impression.

From principals and nurses to school lunch heroes and classified employees, we celebrate their leadership, compassion, creativity, and commitment to our school communities.

Every day, thousands of dedicated education professionals across San Diego County go above and beyond to ensure students have the support they need to learn, grow, and succeed. We are grateful for all that you do.

Register now for the Rites of Passage ceremony on May 14 at 6:30 p.m. celebrating San Diego County’s Black graduates. Come join us for a memorable day full of joy, pride, and community vibes as we recognize the hard work and success of these amazing seniors.

Rites of Passage is a ritual to celebrate our black graduates transitioning from one phase of their life to the next. Don’t miss out on this uplifting celebration where culture, accomplishment, and connection come together!

The free event is hosted by the National College Resources Foundation with support from SDCOE. Register at the NCRF/Eventbrite website.
https://bit.ly/4uENsjf

San Diego Black Grad-Rites of Passage "Celebrating Black Seniors in SD" Join us in San Diego to honor and celebrate Black seniors leveling up with style and pride!

Help shape the future of early learning and care in San Diego County by applying for 2027 membership with the Local Child Care and Development Planning Council (LPC). The Council is co-governed by the San Diego County superintendent of schools and the County of San Diego - Government San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

Join a network of community members and partners working together to strengthen early learning and care systems for children and families across our region. As an LPC member, you will help identify local needs, inform priorities, and contribute to decisions that drive meaningful, community-informed change.

Apply today: https://earlyed.surveysparrow.com/s/2027-lpc-membership-application-/tt--fWD4
Learn more at https://www.sdcoe.net/special-populations/early-education/lpc

2027 LPC Membership Application Built with love by SurveySparrow, a FREE online survey software which lets you collect feedback naturally, gain insights and make better decisions.

Know a family (including yours!) navigating e-bikes with their kids? Learn the latest e-bike safety tips during the upcoming E-Bike Safety Webinar on May 12 at 6 p.m. Register online: https://bit.ly/48LAyHX

Topics include tips on helmet options, different types of e-bikes, and cases doctors are seeing in ERs. This free Zoom webinar is hosted by Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer and features Scripps Trauma Prevention personnel and e-bike safety experts.

San Diego educators and their families can score a special ticket offer for the upcoming San Diego Wave FC match on Sunday, May 3 at Snapdragon Stadium! The Educator Appreciation Ticket Pack includes a limited edition San Diego Wave FC desk mat. Learn more and buy tickets: https://bit.ly/4tVPivJ

Congrats to Angela Cruz, a library media technician at Stuart Mesa School in Oceanside Unified School District, who was named a 2026 California Classified School Employee of the Year!

Angela ensures that every student on campus has meaningful access to books and literacy activities that match their interests and abilities to build both strong literacy skills and a lifelong love of reading. Through close collaboration with teachers and thoughtful lesson adaptations, she ensures that every student, including those with specialized educational needs, can fully participate in library learning. Each morning, she volunteers at the front gate, greeting students at their cars with a smile and warm welcome that helps them transition into their day.

Learn more about Angela and our county's other incredible classified school employees of the year at https://www.sdcoe.net/about-sdcoe/news/post/~board/news/post/2026-27-classified-school-employees-of-the-year.