Cathy
Christman, an instructional assistant at Franklin Elementary School in Santa
Barbara for 10 years, and Zonia Chaney, an administrative secretary at the
Santa Barbara County Education Office for seven years, were named 2012 Santa
Barbara County Classified Employees of the Year, and will be honored at a
ceremony during the meeting of the Santa Barbara County Board of Education on
April 5.
Christman
was nominated in the instructional assistance category and Chaney was nominated
in the office and technical category.
The
county recognition is part of the California School Employee of the Year
Program.
“We
are very happy to take part in this program,” said County Superintendent Bill
Cirone. “Each year we honor the Teacher of the Year and outstanding schools; it
is fitting that we also include the school staff members who play such a key
role in supporting children’s achievement, safety, and health.”
To
qualify, the employee must have been in the same service category for at least
five years.
The
nomination process started at the district level, where each district was
invited to select employees from six categories, including child nutrition,
maintenance/operations/facilities, transportation, para-educator/instructional
assistance, office and technical, and support services and security. A county
committee reviewed the nominations and selected the county’s nominees.
Cathy Christman has
been a special education aide at Franklin School for 10 years. Principal Casie
Killgore wrote that Cathy “is a model employee and advocate for students. Cathy
goes above and beyond the call of duty…As I observe employees daily, Cathy has
always stood out…Cathy is sought by other classified staff and is a leader
amongst other classified employees…” Killgore added that Cathy is “dedicated to
the school community and culture…she consistently looks for ways to have
students get involved in improving themselves and the school. Cathy is one of a
kind!”
Wrote
Special Education chair and teacher Leslie Oliva MacDougall, “Cathy
demonstrates outstanding performance in all areas of her work…Cathy understands
what the students need to learn, why they need to learn each skill, and how to
facilitate that learning…The students love working with her as she is positive,
patient, nurturing, and is responsive to their individual needs both
academically and behaviorally.” She added: “Any week during the school year,
before school begins, after the school day, or on the weekends, Cathy Christman
can be seen on the Franklin campus anywhere and everywhere. If there’s a job to
be done, she’s ‘on it.’ From painting school logos, mascots, mission
statements, and murals on school walls and buildings, to creating banners for
assemblies and students’ participation in community parades, Cathy does it all
and most often she is a committee of one.” MacDougall added: “Miss Cathy is a
jewel here at Franklin. She leads by example and is a role model for all of us.”
Wrote
teacher Brian McCarthy, who worked with Cathy when she was an instructional
aide at Cleveland School: “Cathy went above and beyond on a daily basis to make
sure all students were engaged, focused, and held accountable for their work
and responsibilities…She is missed every day I come to work. She spent her
evenings and weekends volunteering for school projects such as video yearbooks,
classroom comprehensive service projects, and Big Buddies…Cathy has always been
a leader and she has committed her life to the students with whom she works.
She was a true leader among classified employees as she helped them understand
policies as well as helping them further their own education. She is a true
treasure.”
Zonia Chaney has
been an administrative secretary for seven years with the assistant
superintendent for Categorical and Special Programs, which provides managerial
oversight for several federal, state, and local programs. Wrote Assistant
Superintendent Jan Clevenger: “Zonia exemplifies SBCEO’s motto of ‘service and
leadership’ on a daily basis with her exceptional ‘can-do’ work ethic,
professional demeanor, and positive attitude. I marvel at her ability to
efficiently juggle multiple tasks and projects while maintaining her routine
office responsibilities with personal touches and an ever-present smile. Zonia
is extremely organized and plans her workload to meet all deadline and
department timelines…Zonia’s interpersonal skills and relationships with
colleagues have contributed to the positive climate in our department and
within the entire building. She is highly respected by her peers and by management…She
is a model employee — dedicated, competent, and selfless, who will do whatever
it takes to get the job done.”
Mark
Leufkens, coordinator at Summit High, wrote that “Zonia is a ‘go-to person’…her
confidence, interest, and caring approach make her a unique and invaluable
employee. Those who are fortunate to work with her can put things into her
hands with the confidence that those things will be done and done right. Zonia’s
skills, knowledge, and efficiency make us all more effective in our jobs.”
Wrote
Williams consultant Dr. Richard Shelton: “I have worked closely with Zonia for seven
years as she has coordinated the complicated and challenging Williams
project…She provided what was needed efficiently, effectively, and cheerfully…Her
discretion and judgment have always been truly outstanding, as has been her
ability to work cooperatively in assisting and resolving any technical problems
that arose. Zonia is exceedingly well organized, and always demonstrates a
willingness to go the extra mile and do whatever it takes to see a job to
completion. It is hard to imagine someone more fitting for this award.”
Further
information is available from Dr. Al Zonana at the Santa Barbara County
Education Office, 964-4710, ext. 5279.
