Spotlights

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This year, the Placer County Office of Education shined the spotlight on five special employees who demonstrated dedication to the organization, an exemplary work ethic and a commitment to education.

• Classified School Employee of the Year

• Certificated Employee of the Year

• Management Employee of the Year

• Rookie of the Year

• Superintendent's Award

Sarah Hendricks

Maintenance Custodian

Sarah is a true professional with excellent customer service skills and an awesome attitude. She completes her duties with an eye for detail and perfection. No matter the task, she is ready to assist with a great big smile. We are proud to have her as part of the PCOE team.

See why Sarah is the 2019 PCOE Classified Employee of the Year. Watch the video.

​Holly Justice

Teacher for the Visually Impaired Program

Holly's dedication and compassion to ensuring student success is her greatest strength. She is an exceptional leader with integrity and wisdom. She is more than a teacher, she is her student's cheerleader, counselor, advocate and friend.

See why Holly is the 2019 PCOE Certificated Employee of the Year. Watch the video.

​Kerri Fulton

Coordinator for Prevention Supports & Services

Kerri is an outstanding example of a PCOE manager who demonstrates our values both at work and in her personal life. She is an educational leader in school climate, mental health and wraparound. She is a truly extraordinary individual.

See why Kerri is the 2019 PCOE Management Employee of the Year. Watch the video.

​Kristina Kress

Teacher for the iCARE Come Back Program

Kristina embodies the passion, determination and creativity required to support students in the Come Back Program. She is a fierce advocate who builds relationships and demolishes barriers that may stand in the way for her students to earn their high school diploma.

See why Kristina is the 2019 PCOE Rookie of the Year. Watch the video.

​Chris Womack

Computer Networking Specialist III

Chris has a passion for education and helps others use technology to accomplish their goals. He has a drive to succeed and excellent customer service skills. But most of all, Chris' endless enthusiasm and compassion for others makes him a stellar member of the PCOE family.

See why Chris is the 2019 Superintendent's Award recipient.  Watch the video.

​The Placer County Office of Education provides services, programs and resources to ensure we provide a globally competitive, comprehensive, rigorous and relevant education to all students.​

Read more about our PCOE program impact stories to learn more about the life-changing effect these program have in Placer County. 

In the fall of 2016, a single mother reached out to the Placer County Office of Education's Early Childhood Education (ECE) Department which provides school readiness and family support to young children, their families, child care providers and the larger Placer County community. ECE's services primarily target low to moderate income families who are working, attending school or seeking employment. 

This mom had just escaped domestic violence and was looking to create a better life for herself and her child. Through the support of the dedicated team at PCOE, she enrolled her child in an Early Head Start school readiness program and enrolled herself in community college. While in school, her child was making friends and participating in science, math and reading programs designed to ensure school readiness socially, emotionally and academically.

Fast forward three years later and this single mom is now poised to graduate in December 2019 with a degree in nursing – and she already has a job offer. Most importantly, her child is thriving in preschool and ready for kindergarten.

In Placer County alone, there are an estimated 1,800 homeless children and youth – and this Colfax family was once part of those devastating statistics.

For more than three years, the family of five had been living from motel to motel and the children were missing school frequently. The family reached out to the Placer County Office of Education Prevention Supports and Services department which helps local schools, and the 16 school districts it serves, develop systems of support for children and families to eliminate barriers to success. The department also provides direct support to Placer County's most at-risk populations including foster youth, homeless youth, and youth at the Crisis Resolution Center and the Juvenile Detention Facility.

The Colfax family began meeting weekly with PCOE and working collaboratively with local housing agencies including Advocates for Mentally Ill Housing. After several months of communication and relationship building, the Colfax family moved into an apartment.

The family is now thriving in permanent housing and both children are doing well in school with significant improvements in attendance. The family is more connected to their local community and they have hope for a brighter future.

​For many, escaping a life of drugs and poverty is a nearly impossible feat. It's a story John knows all too well. 

​Meet Rachel. She's a first-year special education teacher in the Auburn Union School District working with four Instructional Assistants and 11 students in second through fifth grade who have a variety of academic, social-emotional and behavioral needs – each with their own Individual Education Plan. On a daily basis she juggles a million little things while meeting the needs of her students.

She's also an intern in the Placer County Office of Education's Mild/Moderate Education Specialist Credential Program which offers a comprehensive approach to educator preparation through training, lesson planning, coursework and coaching. Accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC), the program is designed to prepare future education specialists in Placer County. ​

“I'm learning more than I expected," shared Rachel. “And, through the PCOE program, I feel more prepared to ensure my students have the world-class education they deserve." 

Rachel took her education to the next level and is building the background, knowledge and resources needed to ensure her students have a safe, positive, productive and structured learning environment.

​Placer County Superintendent of Schools Gayle Garbolino-Mojica is pleased to announce the 2019 Placer County Classified School Employees of the Year.

“It takes an entire school community to ensure our students are ready for college, career and life," said Superintendent Garbolino-Mojica. “As the Placer County Superintendent of Schools, I am honored to recognize these amazing individuals for their commitment and contribution in making Placer County gold in education."

Each year, Placer County honors six Classified School Employees of the Year who best symbolize the profession's contributions and commitment to quality education. Honorees are then eligible to participate in the state program facilitated by the California Department of Education. ​

Congratulations to the 2019 Placer County Classified School Employees of the Year!

​Tracey Rissanen

2019 Child Nutrition Employee of the Year

Rocklin Unified School District

​Kevin McWilliams

2019 Maintenance, Operations and Facilities Employee of the Year

Placer Hills Union School District​

​Pam Soha

2019 Office and Technical Employee of the Year

Western Placer Unified School District

Crystal Gist

2019 Para-Educator & Instructional Assistance Employee of the Year

Roseville Joint Union High School District​

​Anna Hagen

2019 Support Services and Security Employee of the Year 

Roseville Joint Union High School District

​Sharon Laguna​

2019 Transportation Employee of the Year

Roseville Joint Union High School District

​Placer County Superintendent of Schools Gayle Garbolino-Mojica is pleased to announce the 2019 Placer County Teachers of the Year. ​

"Teachers like these are what makes Placer County gold in education," said Superintendent Garbolino-Mojica.

Congratulations to the 2019 Placer County Teachers of the Year!

​Ashley Rue

Elementary Level

Roseville City School District

Ms. Rue has a strong passion for education and it shows in her interactions with her students, aides, administration and with parents. She is described as a patient mentor for her students who helps them discover gems of wisdom within themselves. She is intentional in her approach to learning and has the ability to recognize when a change is needed to meet the needs of every student. She seeks out and adapts to the diversity of learners in her classroom and strongly believes in the importance of social emotional learning. 

Ms. Rue has a growth mindset based on the philosophy that “we should be better teachers today than we were yesterday." She continues to seek out new strategies, tools and tactics. She attends professional development workshops, contributes to her Professional Learning Community of first grade teachers and takes time during her prep period to observe other teachers in order to gain new insights into instruction. Additionally, she organizes a writer's workshop for students and directs the school musical with enthusiasm. ​

​John-Paul Gonzalez

Middle School Level

Loomis Union School District

By all accounts, Mr. Gonzalez beat the odds. He had a tough upbringing and couldn't read until third grade. But, with the support from a caring mentor and teacher, he eventually went on to earn a master's degree in adaptive physical education which has become his life's passion. Mr. Gonzalez believes anything is possible if you work hard, believe in yourself and strive to get better – and that's the message he brings to his students each and every day. 

Mr. Gonzalez has a strength for boosting student confidence and independence, and focuses on building student character. He understands the connection between physical activity and learning and strives to ensure class activities are adaptive to meet the needs of all students. 

In addition to leading the Loomis Union School District physical education department and peer mentor program, Mr. Gonzalez also coaches more than eight sports and volunteers his time serving students with disabilities throughout the community. Specifically, Mr. Gonzalez leads a team of middle school students each year to volunteer as student coaches for the Jessie Baker School Special Olympics in Elk Grove. Students describe this as a life-changing experience.

​

Erin Granucci

High School Level

Roseville Joint Union High School District

With more than two decades in the classroom, Ms. Granucci describes herself as a life educator rather than a teacher. Through the Project Lead the Way (PLTW), she sees her students develop, grow and thrive not only in the classroom, but in their self-esteem, confidence and ability to make an impact in the world. She takes every opportunity to mold c​oursework fit into real-world experiences through project-based learning. Her students come into the classroom, put on their lab coats and “go to work." She provides her students with instruction and guidance, but then gives them room to explore concepts and experiment with their own solutions. In fact, one of her students has already been offered a career internship after graduation for their work in assessing art therapy for Alzheimer's patients. 

“I am amazed at what my students accomplish and the innovative and creative ideas they come up with in order to solve today's medical problems and to make our future better," said Ms. Granucci.

Each year, the Placer County Office of Education honors three Teachers of the Year – Elementary School, Middle School and High School – through a process that highlights educational innovation, student learning, a commitment to professional development and empathy for all students to ensure equity in education. Further, the program highlights the positive aspects of our educational system.