At
its monthly board meeting on June 1, the Santa Barbara County Education Office
will recognize two extraordinary professionals as the 2017 Santa Barbara
County Classified School Employees of the Year.
Honored
this year in the Support Services and Security category is Brenda Galvez, a
community liaison in the Orcutt Union School District. She is currently assigned to multiple schools
in the district, although most of her time is spent at Olga Reed School, a
210-student, rural TK-8 school with over 60% of its students identified as
English Learners, and over 80% of its students classified as low-income.
“Brenda
inspires me,” says her principal, Joe Dana, “and I can say without reservation
that Olga Reed School would not be what it is without the amazing contributions
of the incomparable Brenda Galvez.”
“Brenda and
her ‘moms’ have a huge role at the school,” says her district superintendent,
Dr. Debbie Blow. “Brenda is willing to do everything she can to support the
school’s families.”
Raymond
Segovia, a painter in the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, is the winner
in the Maintenance, Operations, and Facilities category. “Ray takes pride in the work he does to keep
the schools looking good for current students,” says Reese Thompson, the
district’s director of facilities and operations. Anita Wickers, an
administrative assistant in the district, adds, “I call Ray my ‘Little Ray of
Sunshine.’ He always takes the time to greet his fellow employees with a smile,
while continually working hard to get the job done—whatever that job takes. His
work ethic is evident in his attention to detail and his dedication to his
trade.”
“Classified
employees are at the heartbeat of education and are instrumental to the smooth
operation of schools, playing a major role in educating tomorrow’s leaders.
We honor them for all they do for children,” said County Superintendent of
Schools Bill Cirone. “Brenda and Ray represent all the school staff
members who play such a vital role in supporting children’s achievement.”
The program is part of a statewide recognition sponsored
by the California Department of Education (CDE). Galvez and Segovia’s
nomination packages were forwarded to the CDE for consideration as the
California Classified Employee of the Year.
