PLEASANT HILL, CA— Eight school employees will represent Contra Costa County in the State of California Classified School Employees of the Year (CSEY) program.
The winners were among 26 nominees honored at the Contra Costa County Classified School Employees of the Year event hosted by the Contra Costa County Office of Education on Wednesday, April 24.
The 2024 Contra Costa County Classified Employees of the Year are as follows:
- Michelle Keys, Food Services Manager, John Swett Unified School District
- Jimmy Ngo, Custodian, Lafayette School District
- Roxanne Peacock, Instructional Assistant, Special Education, Contra Costa County Office of Education
- Alan Wright, Senior Network/Systems Administrator, Mt. Diablo Unified School District
- Jojo Miguel, Electro-Mechanical Technician, Mt. Diablo Unified School District
- Veronica Carrillo, Office Manager, Walnut Creek School District
- Aramis Hegler, Security Operations Worker, Mt. Diablo Unified School District
- Liberato Caparas, School Bus Driver, Mt. Diablo Unified School District
“Congratulations to the Classified School Employees of the Year in Contra Costa County,” County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey said. “These individuals are the heartbeat of our schools and districts, working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure seamless operations and bolster student success. From maintaining facilities to providing essential services, classified staff are instrumental in nurturing safe, positive campus cultures where students feel they belong. It takes a team effort to run a school, and classified employees truly play pivotal roles on our campuses.”
2024 County Classified School Employees of the Year Nominees
CLERICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
- Erica Schlepp, Staff Secretary and Registrar, John Swett Unified School District
- Julie Webb, Office Manager, Martinez Unified School District
- Melanie Moseley, College and Career Technician, Pittsburg Unified School District
- Nicole Grimshaw, Testing and Transcript Evaluator, Contra Costa County Office of Education
- Sheila Bergum, College and Career Advisor, Mt. Diablo Unified School District
- Veronica Carrillo, Office Manager, Walnut Creek School District
CUSTODIAL AND MAINTENANCE
- Dale Raeburn, Groundskeeper/Gardener, Pittsburg Unified School District
- Jimmy Ngo, Custodian, Lafayette School District
- Maria Esparza, Custodian, John Swett Unified School District
- Sandra Solis, Custodian, Mt. Diablo Unified School District
FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES
- Amanda Conklin – Fuentes, Child Nutrition Assistant II, Pittsburg Unified School District
- Cecily Melendez, Food Service Lead II, Brentwood Union School District
- Elaine Esguerra, Child Nutrition Manager, San Ramon Valley Unified School District
- Michelle Keys, Food Services Manager, John Swett Unified School District
- Sandra Reeder, Lead Food Service Worker III, Mt. Diablo Unified School District
PARAPROFESSIONAL SERVICES
- Carol Ann Lenzi, Paraeducator, John Swett Unified School District
- Faustina Dolan, Afterschool Childcare Leader, Orinda Union School District
- Justin Thompson, Paraprofessional, Liberty Union High School District
- Mari Nist, Special Education Assistant I, Mt. Diablo Unified School District
- Roxanne Peacock, Instructional Assistant, Special Education, Contra Costa County Office of Education
- Tracy Webb, Special Education Aide, Pittsburg Unified School District
SECURITY SERVICES
- Aramis Hegler, Security Operations Worker, Mt. Diablo Unified School District
- Chun Mei Veasy, Campus Supervisor, Martinez Unified School District
- Transportation Services
- Liberato Caparas, School Bus Driver, Mt. Diablo Unified School District
- Technical Services
- Alan Wright, Senior Network/Systems Administrator, Mt. Diablo Unified School District
- Skilled Trades
- Jojo Miguel, Electro-Mechanical Technician, Mt. Diablo Unified School District
Classified employees occupy roles that do not mandate academic certification. The award recipients represent distinct categories, including Clerical and Administrative Services, Custodial and Maintenance, Food and Nutrition Services, Health and Student Services, Transportation Services, Paraprofessional Services, and Technical Services.
The CSEY program shines a spotlight on exemplary school staff whose dedication significantly contributes to student success and well-being across California’s public schools, spanning preschool through 12th grade.
Additionally, these exceptional employees will be celebrated during Classified School Employee Week, observed from May 19 to May 25.
About Contra Costa County Office of Education
One of 58 counties in California, Contra Costa County (CCCOE) has the 11th largest public-school student population in the state (approximately 169,225 students). Officially established in 1932, CCCOE has a long history of providing direct services to some of our county’s most vulnerable students, including young people who are incarcerated, homeless, or in foster care, as well as students who have severe physical or emotional challenges.
CCCOE also provides support services to schools and school districts in Contra Costa County; services that can be handled most effectively and economically on a regional basis rather than by each of the county’s 286 schools or 18 school districts. These services range from budget approval and fiscal support to technology infrastructure, communication support, and high-level professional development opportunities for educators. CCCOE maintains a website at www.cocoschools.org.
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