March 2010 Classified Employee of the Month

Carol Karnes, School Secretary, was nominated by Principal Lauren Roth for her contributions to the Special Education/ED Program of the Sacramento County Office of Education. Ms. Karnes supports the daily operations of SCOE's Leo A. Palmiter Jr./Sr. High School campus. Among her many responsibilities are managing the newly implemented SEIS (Special Education Student Information System) and the school's PowerSchool Web-based student data system. She works not only with teachers and support staff, but with student assistants and community agencies as well. Her work extends beyond her day-to-day office duties to include serving on the Student Body Advisory, Snack Shack and School Safety Committees. Her supervisor says, "Ms. Karnes is often the first person to greet people coming through the door. She always offers a warm, friendly smile to students, staff, and substitutes, making everyone feel welcome and appreciated." Ms. Karnes is known for her strong organizational skills, her conscientious manner and her dedication to the educational program, staff and students. Concludes her supervisor, "Ms. Karnes models respect, responsibility, and professionalism to the student, exemplifying the key concepts of Positive Behavior Supports (PBS), which is a hallmark program of the Palmiter campus. We greatly value her sensitivity, her caring, gentle nature, and her willingness to assist in any situation." Ms. Karnes has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since October 2007.

March 2010 Certificated Employee of the Month

Barbara Modlin, Community Schools Teacher, was nominated by Principal Andrea Lemos for her contributions to the Community Schools Program of the Sacramento County Office of Education. She works with students in grades 7-12 at SCOE's Elinor Lincoln Hickey Jr./Sr. High School. While her emphasis in the classroom is on English, Ms. Modlin also teaches additional subjects to meet individual students' needs. She additionally works directly with Independent Study students. Ms. Modlin was SCOE's first LINKS teacher and has been instrumental in helping SCOE expand the LINKS philosophy throughout its Juvenile Court and Community Schools. Her supervisor says, "Ms. Modlin meets not only the students' academic needs but, more important, is there for her students' emotional needs. She celebrates their achievements … and supports them through the occasional downfall such as a student's incarceration in Juvenile Hall and/or Juvenile Court hearings." In addition to her classroom work, Ms. Modlin serves as advisor of the Student Leadership Team, the school's Poetry Out Loud competition and of student mentoring. She also plans field trips for the students, including the California State University, Sacramento, Ropes Course to build teamwork and emphasize the importance of making positive choices. In the words of one of her students, "Ms. Modlin is awesome. What makes her awesome is that she is really caring and really understanding." Ms. Modlin has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since January 2006.

February 2010 Classified Employee of the Month

Janice Tietjen, Administrative Assistant, was nominated by Assistant Superintendent Sue Stickel for her contributions to the Sacramento County Office of Education. Ms. Tietjen performs general office duties and coordinates activities in support of SCOE's K-12 Curriculum and Intervention Department. In addition to serving as the "first line" of phone assistance to customers, she coordinates meetings and provides secretarial support for the department. Her supervisor says, "One of Janice's most valuable skills is her skill in producing and reviewing documents. She is a consummate proofreader. No document leaves our office without the review of her careful eye." Ms. Tietjen is known as an outstanding team player, always willing to take on any task and work to the common good of the team or a project. Concludes her supervisor, "Janice works with folks in a very even and calm manner and makes finding the answers to questions her number one priority. She truly 'walks the talk' of providing customer service both internally and externally for SCOE." Ms. Tietjen has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since February 1990.

February 2010 Certificated Employee of the Month

Marla Nakano, Community Schools Teacher, was nominated by a colleague for her contributions to the Juvenile Court and Community Schools Program of the Sacramento County Office of Education. Ms. Nakano serves as both classroom teacher and Teacher in Charge at SCOE's North Area Community School, a campus providing an alternative educational environment for students with a range of academic, social and behavioral needs. Ms. Nakano successfully balances the diverse needs of her students and demonstrates strength in the area of curriculum. She actively engages her students in the NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association) testing and Compass Leaning Odyssey curriculum assignments designed to support student success in the areas of English/Language Arts and math, in addition to providing effective instruction daily in her classroom. Her supervisor says, "Ms. Nakano makes connections with students each day. The students respect her and respond well to her." When students have demonstrated that they can be successful, Ms. Nakano provides leadership opportunities for them. Her students have actively participated in SCOE's Academic Bowl, field trips, assemblies, job placement, CTE/ROP classes and other LINKS activities at the school site. Staff members have commented on Ms. Nakano's commitment and dedication to students and to meeting their needs. One colleague said, "She has a structured classroom that supports the students and she is a strong teacher. She directly teaches the students in areas where they need the direct and explicit instruction." Parents also comment on the positive support their students have received from Ms. Nakano at North Area Community School. Parents are proud that their students are on the path to graduating, many finding academic success for the first time as a part of Ms. Nakano's class. Ms. Nakano has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since August 1996.

January 2010 Certificated Employee of the Month

Ben Diaz, Special Education/ED Teacher, was nominated by Principal Lauren Roth for his contributions to the Sacramento County Office of Education. Mr. Diaz teaches students in a special education class for students with emotional disturbance at Bannon Creek Elementary in the Natomas Unified School District. Mr. Diaz teaches a 1st-3rd grade combination class. His supervisor comments, "Mr. Diaz's lessons are well thought out, interest-based, creative, fun, and educationally effective. Utilizing a PBS [Positive Behavior Supports program]‚ he provides a wealth of reinforcements to encourage academic growth, in addition to self-management practices that help students improve their own behavior. Students respect Mr. Diaz for his patience and often express how much they love being in his class." Mr. Diaz is highly regarded for his ability to collaborate and communicate with families and the regular Bannon Creek School staff, with whom he regularly interacts to promote mainstreaming opportunities for his students. He has successfully implemented enrichment programs including cross-age tutoring (such as "reading and math buddies") as well as The Polite Child, Social Smarts curriculum. His supervisor concludes, "Mr. Diaz is an enthusiastic, hardworking, and dedicated teacher who is continually improving the learning environment of his classroom to meet individual student needs. He has set a high standard in his commitment to the teaching profession. He is a valuable asset to SCOE's elementary ED program." Mr. Diaz has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since November 2006.

December 2009 Classified Employee of the Month

Consuelo Villalobos, Staff Secretary, was nominated by School Readiness Department Director Natalie Woods Andrews, Ed.D., for her contributions to the Sacramento County Office of Education. Ms. Villalobos provides general office support to SCOE's School Readiness Department. She is the first point of telephone communication for the department and is responsible for scheduling appointments and meetings for the department directors, as well as maintaining the department events calendar. Among her tasks include keeping records and maintaining/tracking the department budget, which includes oversight of work orders, purchase orders, deposits, invoices, supply orders, conference/travel claims, and mileage claims. Ms. Villalobos supports the California Preschool Instructional Network (CPIN), funded by the California Department of Education (CDE) Child Development Division. Through regular communication with the statewide CPIN regional leads and CDE staff, she sets up and calendars statewide conference calls and videoconferences. Ms. Villalobos provides support for the CPIN Advisory and Regional Lead meetings throughout the year by arranging facilities, food and audio-visual equipment; presentation and document preparation; and registration. She maintains extensive registration and evaluation databases, and provides reports as needed. She also creates forms, presentations and other key documents that are of high, professional quality. Her supervisor reports, "Consuelo is an extremely professional, well-organized employee who maintains a positive attitude in all aspects of her work. Her strong, positive working relationships with colleagues within the department and within the agency are among her greatest assets." Ms. Villalobos is highly regarded for her customer service skills. She is extremely efficient in meeting requests from the leads, as well as CDE and WestEd staff, via phone and e-mail. In addition, she is always responsive to requests during the on-site meetings by arranging shipping or delivery of materials for the presenters and leads, and meeting last-minute AV needs and photocopy requests. Ms. Villalobos organizes events and activities for the department, including recognitions of birthdays and other observances and arranging for displays and activities at SCOE events. Because of her creativity and strong organizational skills, the School Readiness Department has been recognized for award-winning display tables each year at SCOE's Employee Recognition Day. Her supervisor concludes, "We are extremely fortunate that Consuelo has joined the School Readiness Department team. She has played a critical role in maintaining cohesion and a spirit of teamwork as the department staff has expanded over the years. We are truly grateful for her many contributions to the department." Ms. Villalobos has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since September 2006.

December 2009 Certificated Employee of the Month

Dana Eagen, Program Specialist, was nominated by Dr. Natalie Woods Andrews, Director of SCOE's School Readiness Department, for his contributions to the Sacramento County Office of Education. Mr. Eagen works two-third time for Supporting Early Education Delivery Systems (SEEDS) Project, coordinated by SCOE to provide training and technical assistance across the state to local education agency staff serving young children with disabilities and their families. Additionally, he works one-third time for SCOE's California Preschool Instructional Network (CPIN), where he provides professional development, technical assistance, and on-site support to administrators and teachers in the 10-county Capital Service Region of Northern California. Mr. Eagen's job duties are many and encompass a wide variety of topical areas pertinent to early childhood with an emphasis in special education. Most recently he has focused on disseminating information on supporting English learners in home visiting programs and preschool classrooms. His supervisor reports that Mr. Eagen "possesses a vast knowledge base in the area of early childhood special education and continually strives to stay abreast of recommended practices. He has expressed a strong desire to link and support individuals through networking opportunities, and firmly believes individuals can learn so much from each other. He encourages practitioners to draw upon existing resources by working together." Mr. Eagen is passionate about including families and young children in all aspects of their daily activities and communities where they reside. He promotes a full inclusion philosophy and integrates it into the professional development he conducts. One of his fellow program specialists describes him as "a constant collaborator. He truly believes in the potential of everyone he meets and acknowledges colleagues for their assets that they bring to their work." Another colleague comments: "Dana's perspective on life is that there is always a light that shines even in the greatest of darkness. He seeks, finds and radiates that light in his daily life. He listens with empathy and focus and epitomizes the meaning of reflective practice in his work." Concludes his supervisor, "Dana is an incredibly warm, friendly, funny, and good natured person. Anyone who knows Dana does not hesitate to be on a committee or work group with him. They know he will get the job done. He exudes both a personal and a professional integrity that everyone admires and seeks to emulate." Mr. Eagen has played a critical role on the Superintendent's Preschool Committee. Most recently he was selected to be a coach for the Excellence in Early Childhood Education Leadership ExCEL training program under the auspices of the Special Education Early Childhood Administrator's (SEECAP) Project coordinated by the San Diego County Office of Education. Mr. Eagen has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since August 1993.

November 2009 Classified Employee of the Month

Amos Nugent III, Special Education Technician, was nominated by Principal Felix Duncan for his contributions to the Juvenile Court and Community Schools Program of the Sacramento County Office of Education. Mr. Nugent works with at-risk students ages 12-18 at SCOE's Gerber Jr./Sr. High School located in South Sacramento. He assists teachers in providing direct instruction to students with behavioral and learning disabilities. During direct instruction, he provides classroom management to help ensure a safe and effective learning environment. Mr. Nugent also leads small groups of students in guided practice on the subjects in which he also helps provide direct instruction. He works with students to help them meet their required literacy and transition goals. Mr. Nugent served as SCOE's liaison and as a chaperone for the 2009 HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) tour. Students' families, too, benefit from his dedication to the educational program of Gerber School. He has organized and helped present a money management workshop series for parents. Outside the school, Mr. Nugent contributes greatly to the community. Among his many civic affiliations is the Greater Sacramento Urban League's Young Professionals organization, for which he helps coordinate and present financial literacy initiatives benefiting local high school students. The Sacramento Observer newspaper named him one of Sacramento's "30 Under 30" of the area's most inspiring young leaders, and he was recognized as one of 16 young local adults in the Nehemiah Corporation of America's "Nehemiah Emerging Leaders Program." His supervisor says, "We are fortunate to have someone as gifted as Mr. Nugent working with our students. He is well-deserving of this Employee of the Month honor." Mr. Nugent has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since April 2008.

November 2009 Certificated Employee of the Month

Kathy Turner, Regional Occupational Program teacher, was nominated by Assistant Superintendent Tim Taylor for her contributions to the Career-Technical Education program of the Sacramento County Office of Education. Ms. Turner teaches students in Clinical and Administrative Chiropractic Assisting classes at SCOE's Yolo High School setting in West Sacramento. In the course of her work, she certifies students in First Aid and CPR/AED (Automated External Defibrillator). Area chiropractic professionals have considerable regard for the quality of Ms. Turner's instructional skills; her students achieve an extremely high rate of job placement. Ms. Turner shares her expertise by opening up her classroom to SCOE staff several times a year. These events serve to provide opportunities for her students to provide therapeutic services and interact with the public. SCOE staff are most receptive, frequently asking her, "When is the next event?" In addition to her work in the classroom, Ms. Turner has helped with SCOE's WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) accreditation. She has worked with administrators and teachers to form SCOE's original PAR (Peer Assistance and Review) Committee and has served as PAR Chairperson. Ms. Turner is also active in SCOE's Teachers Association, filling numerous roles. Comments her supervisor, "Ms. Turner's teaching skills and her initiative are highly regarded. Her dedication to her students, to the organization and to Career-Technical Education greatly benefit SCOE." Ms. Turner has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since January 1990.

Substitute of the Quarter (Fall)

Substitute Para-Educator Kenneth Sanders has been nominated by Effie Crush, Chief Administrator, Human Resources for his contributions to the Sacramento County Office of Education. Mr. Sanders has worked in SCOE's Juvenile Court and Community School settings, as well as in special education instructional programs for students with emotional disabilities. During the past year and a half, he has worked in SCOE classrooms for nearly 350 days as a Para-Educator. He provides support to classroom teachers by working with students in small groups or on an individual basis, as well as assisting in areas of student safety and behavior management. His primary assignments have been of a long-term duration while employees are on leave. "Mr. Sanders is a dedicated member of our educational team who provides stability and continuity to SCOE students while permanent staff are away from their classrooms," report supervisors. "He has been a successful addition to each class in which he has worked." Mr. Sanders has been employed as a substitute Para-Educator by the Sacramento County Office of Education since February 2008.

October 2009 Classified Employee of the Month

Leslie Friedman, Para-Educator, was nominated by Principal Lyn Efken for her contributions to the Special Education Program of the Sacramento County Office of Education. Ms. Friedman works with students in teacher Eziuche Okemiri's classroom at SCOE's El Centro Junior/Senior High School. In addition to assisting the teacher with direct instruction, she frequently works with students independently or in small groups. "Ms. Friedman's patience and her soft-spoken manner help the students really relate to her," says her supervisor. "She and Mr. Okemiri do much more than teach subjects. They teach important life skills and model qualities such as respect and courtesy." Ms. Friedman is valued for her ability to build trusting relationships with students, many of whom have found this lacking in their lives. "She is a very caring individual," says her supervisor, "someone who is able to touch the hearts of students." Ms. Friedman has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since July 2008.

October 2009 Certificated Employee of the Month

Eziuche Okemiri, Special Day Class Teacher, was nominated by Principal Lyn Efken for his contributions to the Sacramento County Office of Education Special Education Program. Mr. Okemiri serves students in a Special Day Class at SCOE's Centro Jr/Sr High School campus located within Sacramento County Juvenile Hall. With Para-Educator Leslie Friedman, Mr. Okemiri provides special education services to students who are primarily identified as having an emotional disturbance or learning disability. Up to one dozen students are enrolled in the self-contained classroom, where they learn core subjects and more. According to his supervisor, Mr. Okemiri excels at meeting the diverse and ever-changing needs of this highly transient student population. "He is one of the finest teachers I have come across," she says. "His direct instructional approach and his interaction with his students are amazing to watch, and they achieve results." Mr. Okemiri is known for his subject matter expertise and the respectful and dignified way in which he treats his students. His supervisor concludes, "The students benefit every day from their interaction with this exemplary teacher." Mr. Okemiri has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since March 2008.

September 2009 Classified Employee of the Month

Shenita Howard, SCBC Assistant, was nominated by Sacramento Community Based Coalition (SCBC) Director Bill Lane, Ph.D., for her contributions to the Sacramento County Office of Education. Ms. Howard supports the operations of the SCBC, a project of SCOE and the Californ ia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Chief among her many responsibilities is the maintenance of case files for 30 clients enrolled at the SCBC. This assignment includes data entry, enrollment and discharge of clients, and assistance to clients who have the difficult task of navigating through daily barriers while struggling to re-enter society after incarceration in state prison. She also monitors the attendance of 70 SCBC clients currently working with the Caltrans Litter Abatement Program. Another of her major responsibilities is facilitating the "Changing Offender Behavior" (COB) class for 25 clients. Her supervisor reports that Ms. Howard's motivationally inspiring style makes this class very popular with her students. In addition to facilitating the COB class, she volunteers to serve as substitute facilitator for SCBC Parenting and GED classes when needed. Ms. Howard is known for her active involvement in the community, constantly assisting clients with services such as emergency housing, clothing needs, education and social services. Concludes her supervisor, "Shenita is the ultimate team player, always willing to help her peers and the many clients she works with. She works diligently daily to serve as a role model and inspiration to all." Ms. Howard has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since August 1996.

September 2009 Certificated Employee of the Month

Terry Moylan, Juvenile Court School Teacher, has been nominated by Principals Stephen Wright and Mike Borgaard, Ed.D., for his contributions to the Sacramento County Office of Education. Mr. Moylan is currently assigned to SCOE's EI Centro Jr./Sr. High School, located within Juvenile Hall, and recently completed a six-month assignment at Esperanza Jr./Sr. High School. He brings to EI Centro an extensive array of educational experiences, including a recent project in which he teamed with ROP Teacher Canyon Twer to develop an outstanding model of providing Physical Education educational services in an incarcerated setting. Through his hard work and creative approach, the Physical Education/Sports Therapy program at Esperanza offered students the opportunity to learn the theory of physical conditioning and more about lifelong recreational activities to help maintain the high physical and mental conditioning needed to lead a healthier life. His model PE program has included an array of activities designed to reach as many individual student interests as possible. His supervisors say, "Mr. Moylan is a change agent. He understands the absolute need in our setting to keep things fresh and constantly engaging for our students. He is firm but fair and the students respect that." Mr. Moylan is known for his enthusiasm and creativity, which are catching; students and staff alike have reaped the rewards of adopting a healthier approach towards their daily lives. His supervisors conclude, "Mr. Moylan has experienced the positive change our programs are pushing, first-hand, and he has led the charge to continually improve our student services and provide opportunities for our students. This is a well deserved recognition for one of SCOE's best." Mr. Moylan has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since February 1986.

August 2009 Classified Employee of the Month

Hongying Tso, Payroll Analyst, was nominated by Payroll Services Manager Sherry Lack for her contributions to the Sacramento County Office of Education. Ms. Tso assists retired and active SCOE employees with payroll- and benefits-related matters. She maintains payroll/benefit records including benefits enrollments and change of health coverage, personal information, and voluntary deductions. Employees entering retirement are guided through the process by Ms. Tso. She handles paperwork and deductions for wage garnishments and provides backup to the health and welfare benefits desk. Ms. Tso also processes all voluntary deductions and billings, other than health and welfare, for active employees; this includes paperwork for deductions such as TSAs, 457 plans, union dues and disability insurance. Her supervisor comments, "Hong possesses an outstanding work ethic. She tackles any project with enthusiasm and dedication. She is extremely accurate in her work, which is important when working with employee deductions. And she possesses a dedication to her work that is amazing." Colleagues and those receiving assistance from Ms. Tso agree that she is a valuable contribution to SCOE. "Her helpfulness has been recognized by retirees and employees she meets with," reports her supervisor. "She always has a smile to share with every employee." One of Ms. Tso's projects was to conduct an intensive update of benefits management employee data. Says her supervisor, "This was a huge undertaking and she performed the project with both speed and accuracy. Moreover, she had come into our department at a time when we were making major modifications in the area of retiree health benefits. The support and assistance she provided to the department and employees so soon after being hired was remarkable. She has become an important and welcome addition to our department." Ms. Tso has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since December 2007.

July 2009 Classified Employee of the Month

Kelly Bernier-Mun, Custodian, was nominated by Support Operations Coordinator Tom Adams for her contributions to Sacramento County Office of Education's Support Services. Ms. Bernier-Mun works at SCOE's David P. Meaney Education Center administrative building, where she is responsible for many tasks. She cleans and maintains the building, which includes restrooms and staff lunch rooms, as well as setting up for daily meetings. Her supervisor comments, "Ms. Bernier-Mun is faced with challenges every day, and she always meets them with a positive attitude. She is very professional in the way she approaches her work, and she pays attention to details. She is a person you can count on. Moreover, she is always caring—very helpful and courteous." Ms. Bernier-Mun demonstrates a strong commitment to her job and to the organization, and she plays an active role in helping with the training of new custodians. Her supervisor concludes, "I am always approached by other employees who have compliments regarding Kelly — her job, her attitude and her willingness to help in any way she can. Kelly brings out the best in people with whom she works, and is a big asset to Support Operations." Ms. Bernier-Mun has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since April 2007.

June 2009 Classified Employee of the Month

Una Fairweather, Para-Educator, was nominated by Principal Mike Borgaard, Ed.D., for her contributions to the Sacramento County Office of Education. Ms. Fairweather works with 9th-12th grade students at SCOE's El Centro Jr./Sr. High School, which is located within the Sacramento County Juvenile Hall. In addition to assisting the classroom teacher with academic instruction and support, she serves on the El Centro Jr./Sr. High School Site Council and is a member of the SCOE Substitute Review Committee. Her supervisor says. "I have witnessed Ms. Fairweather's work in many situations—in classroom interaction, at Site Council, and in committee and faculty meetings. She always brings energy and a sense of calm professionalism to the moment. People see her as someone who will be reasonable and helpful. She is often the 'voice of reason' when difficult issues arise." He also lauds Ms. Fairweather's work as a Para-Educator. "She is a model for the work that is done by Para-Educators. The role of the Para-Educator is often defined moment to moment, and Ms. Fairweather has an innate sense of what is appropriate in that moment. She is courteous, compassionate, respectful, and demonstrates the highest level of emotional intelligence in her interactions with students and staff." Ms. Fairweather's supervisor concludes, "Her interaction with students is exemplary. I continue to be impressed with the contribution that Ms. Fairweather makes to our school as well as the entire organization." Ms. Fairweather has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since July 2005.

June 2009 Certificated Employee of the Month

Joe Kozel, Teacher, was nominated by Principal Mike Borgaard, Ed.D., for his contributions to the Sacramento County Office of Education. Mr. Kozel teaches Social Studies and English/Language Arts at SCOE's El Centro Jr./Sr. High School campus within Sacramento County Juvenile Hall. He partners with one other teacher to teach 7th-8th grade boys and 7th-12th grade girls. Reports his supervisor, "I am very impressed with the teaching of Mr. Kozel, both in terms of the subject as well as the delivery. His expertise in the subject matter is apparent, and he handles the delivery of the subject matter as well as the subsequent interaction with great respect and dignity for the students. I am convinced that his students benefit daily from his teaching as well as their interaction with this exemplary teacher." Mr. Kozel additionally serves as Teacher-in-Charge, as a member of El Centro Jr./Sr. High School Site Council and as a member of SCOE's Science Curriculum Adoption Committee. Concludes his supervisor, "Mr. Kozel is a very conscientious, caring teacher. He is also a gifted leader who responds to challenges in a way that is helpful to all involved. He has a genuine concern for people, is very well organized and is devoted to excellence in his classroom responsibilities. Joe Kozel is a tremendous asset to El Centro Jr./Sr. High School and to the students we serve." Mr. Kozel has been a Sacramento County Office of Education employee since May 1992.

May 2009 Classified Employee of the Month

Natalya Edwards, Job Developer, was nominated by Director Bill Lane, Ph.D., for her contributions to the Sacramento County Office of Education. Ms. Edwards teaches the Job Readiness Class at SCOE's Sacramento Community-Based Coalition (SCBC) campus located near the city's downtown area. She helps her clients in preparing resumes and employment portfolios, completing job applications, improving interview skills, and learning and implementing job search skills. Ms. Edwards schedules clients for their classes, tracks their attendance and holds them accountable, assists them in securing the documents they need to be employable, and counsels and guides them on appropriate behavior and lifestyle choices. Among her other responsibilities are attending the weekly Police and Communities Together (PACT) meetings and coordinating SCBC events. Her supervisor reports, "Natalya has been extremely diligent in learning all the new aspects of her position as Job Developer. She has made herself available for any and all training, has taken direction and advice with an open heart and mind and always seeks to improve in any way possible. She always goes over and above the call of duty. She is consistently looking at what is best for the client." In addition to her regular duties, Ms. Edwards is a major contributor to the planning and execution of the SCBC Awards Nights. She also meets on a regular basis with potential employers for SCBC clients. Concludes Ms. Edwards's supervisor, "Natalya not only teaches a Job Readiness component of our program, she models it through her behavior here at work. She is a strong role model for both the staff and the clients in her attitude, her professional demeanor and her character. She is a pleasure to work with and a pleasure to supervise. Natalya is the epitome of a team player and a quality staff member." Ms. Edwards has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since July 2005.

May 2009 Certificated Employee of the Month

David Welsh, Teacher, was nominated by Director Phil Romig for his contributions to the Sacramento County Office of Education. Mr. Welsh teaches sixth graders at SCOE's Sly Park Environmental Education Center, which is located within the Eldorado National Forest near Pollock Pines. In addition to his exemplary work with students in both indoor and outdoor classroom settings, Mr. Welsh has volunteered to be the BTSA (Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment) Support Provider for one of Sly Park's newer teachers. The time he has devoted to training and mentoring the teacher has, in the words of his supervisor, "been of great benefit to the entire staff. David's attitude about the process, from the training to the observing to the teaching, is always upbeat and reflective." Mr. Welsh makes himself available at all times to help the educational program, taking on extra duties when needed and serving as the site administrator in the absence of the Director. He has stepped up to help with extra programs such as skits, the "art of arrival" and organizing challenging student groups. When Sly Park increased the number of students attending in the 2008-2009 program year, Mr. Welsh agreed to increase his contract days. His supervisor concludes, "David is well-liked by all visiting teachers; his professionalism shows each week as he goes out of his way to meet the needs of our customers, and he gives me a 'heads-up' on issues that he sees may be important to visiting students, teachers, and parents. In his 16 years at Sly Park, he has been a positive influence for well over ten thousand students and many hundreds of visiting teachers." Mr. Welsh has been a Sacramento County Office of Education employee since October 1991.

April 2009 Classified Employee of the Month

Heather Styers, an Office Assistant, was nominated by Executive Assistant Carla Miller for her contributions to the Administration Department of the Sacramento County Office of Education. Ms. Styers works at the reception desk of the David P. Meaney Education Center (DPMEC). In the course of any given day, she directs foot traffic to the various conference rooms; answers hundreds of telephone calls; works with Technical Support and Support Operations to ensure conference rooms and A/V equipment are ready; orders office supplies; assists Administrative Department staff with meeting set-up, filing, maintaining databases, composing letters, mail distribution, and many other tasks. One of her strongest assets is her ability to stay calm while diffusing angry callers and frustrated visitors, thus allowing them to feel validated and open to resolution. Her supervisor, Deputy Superintendent Marty Cavanaugh, says, "Heather has a warm and friendly manner, is eager to serve other agencies when they are using SCOE spaces and always represents SCOE in a professional manner." Ms. Styers is abundantly creative, serving on the Employee Recognition Day planning team, as well as the Mather Employee Events Team, where she comes up with great ideas (big and small) to make each event enjoyable and memorable for other employees. One of her major projects is the annual DPMEC conference room reservation process. She enters all room requests in SCOE's scheduling system, identifies any conflict dates, and tries to resolve them directly with the department before final review. She completes this extensive, detailed process in just a few weeks. Her efforts and dedication to total accuracy benefit every department within SCOE. A colleague of her comments, "Heather should be known as the Above and Beyond Gal—because others have commented to me that she always goes Above and Beyond in whatever she is working on." Concludes another of her colleagues, "Heather is a quick learner and is ALWAYS willing to help, with a smile. She listens and finishes a project prior to deadline, often using her own good judgment in determining how the project can be most efficiently done. We are very fortunate to have her as a member of our team." Ms. Styers has been employed by the Sacramento County Office of Education since March 2007.

April 2009 Certificated Employee of the Month

Michaelann Boyle, an ED Teacher, was nominated by Principal Carmen Walker for her contributions to the Special Education Program of the Sacramento County Office of Education. Ms. Boyle is currently the senior class teacher at Leo A. Palmiter Jr.-Sr. High School. Hers is a self-contained classroom that focuses on the 12th grade course of study, pre-vocational skills and training, and post-transitional skills for students with emotional disturbances (ED). She works collaboratively with SCOE's WorkAbility Program and the school counselor to prepare students for graduation. She has worked with Palmiter's senior class for many years and has developed a comprehensive program including instituting a "Graduation by Exhibition" component to complement the senior course of study and requirements. Ms. Boyle has been actively involved in leading and promoting the Palmiter Student Council. She has developed a leadership component, working diligently with student leaders and class representatives to promote school spirit and teamwork. She works with the students to plan activities that encourage community service, promote leadership opportunities for students, and enrich their experiences to yield successful portfolios. For the past few years Ms. Boyle has taken a leadership role in creating, compiling, and completing a high-quality yearbook that is presented to all of Palmiter's students at the end of the school year. She has also reached out to agencies such as Stanford Home, the Sacramento Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity and other community resources to provide enriching activities for not only her senior students, but all of Palmiter's students. "Ms. Boyle helps makes the students' senior year multi-faceted and memorable," says her supervisor. "She is a vital asset to the Palmiter team." Ms. Boyle has been a Sacramento County Office of Education employee since July 2001.