Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District announces its 2023 Employees of the Year

Employee of the Year prize patrol on February 2, 2023.Linda Gaunt, Secretary at Valencia High School, was selected as a 2023 Classified Employee of the Year in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District. She is pictured with (left to right) Dave Giordano, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Richard McAlindin, Assistant Superintendent of Executive Services, Dr. Rick Lopez, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Chris Herzfeld, Principal, Dr. Michael Matthews, Superintendent, and Dr. Linda Adamson, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services on February 2, 2023.

On February 2, 2023, the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD) announced its Employees of the Year for the 2022-2023 school year.

These eight employees were nominated by one or more of their colleagues or supervisors, who detailed the outstanding contributions they provide to the district that go above and beyond. The nominating individual also described how the candidate demonstrates the district’s four core values.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to celebrate outstanding employees in PYLUSD,” shared Superintendent Dr. Michael Matthews. “By recognizing these employees and highlighting all of the wonderful contributions they make, we honor them and all who work so hard to serve our students and our community. These employees exemplify our core values of excellence, collaboration, integrity, and innovation in all that they do. They are a true testament to the motto, “Our people are the heart and soul of PYLUSD.”

PYLUSD has a long-standing tradition of surprising its Employees of the Year at their school sites or departments. On Thursday, February 2, the district’s executive leadership team went out on “Prize Patrol” to honor this year’s winners. They are as follows:


Michelle Woinarowicz
Golden Elementary School
Teacher of the Year

Employee of the Year prize patrol on February 2, 2023.


Kim Bidelspach
George Key School
Teacher of the Year

Employee of the Year prize patrol on February 2, 2023.


Eric Plunkett
Travis Ranch School
Teacher of the Year

Employee of the Year prize patrol on February 2, 2023.


Karen Wolcott
Registered Behavior Technician
Wagner Elementary School
Classified Employee of the Year

Employee of the Year prize patrol on February 2, 2023.


Steve Rodriguez
Plant Coordinator
Kraemer Middle School
Classified Employee of the Year

Employee of the Year prize patrol on February 2, 2023.


Linda Gaunt
Secretary
Valencia High School
Classified Employee of the Year

Employee of the Year prize patrol on February 2, 2023.


Kathleen Escaleras-Nappi
Principal
Rose Drive Elementary School
Certificated Manager of the Year

Employee of the Year prize patrol on February 2, 2023.


Richard Jimenez
Director
Transportation Department
Classified Manager of the Year

Employee of the Year prize patrol on February 2, 2023.

The eight Employees of the Year received a check courtesy of SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union and a plaque from the district to help commemorate their special achievement. The district is very grateful for the continued partnership and support of SchoolsFirst. 

The district would also like to thank all Employee of the Year nominees for the work they do every day to prepare each and every PYLUSD student for success now and in the future. PYLUSD has the absolute best and most caring employees, so the task of making this final selection was very difficult. 

Be on the lookout for the district’s pictures and videos surprising Employees of the Year during the “Prize Patrol” on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube in the near future.

1 Comment on "Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District announces its 2023 Employees of the Year"

  1. A couple of these employees I know personally and the award is beyond well deserved. I feel privileged to work with a district filled with staff that go continually go above and beyond!

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