PYLUSD teachers, childcare leads, students, and more recognized as a part of fifth annual Exceptional Educator Event

Twenty-six Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD) educators were honored at the fourth annual Exceptional Educator Event on Wednesday, April 26.

The event was hosted by the Special Education Department in collaboration with the Community Advisory Committee (CAC), a parent-led organization focused on creating, promoting, and maintaining high-quality and appropriate programs for students receiving special education services in the Placentia-Yorba Linda or Brea-Olinda school districts. 

Prior to the recognition, the district sought nominations for PYLUSD professionals who have made exceptional contributions to their students. Nominations were accepted for any staff members or other individuals from PYLUSD that have gone above and beyond to support and care for students. This year’s nominees included teachers, instructional aides, principals, childcare leads, long-term substitute teachers, bus drivers, district psychologists, and speech and language pathologists. 

Throughout the night, the nominated educators were able to see how much of a role they played in helping students grow academically, socially, and emotionally through the kind messages displayed on the screen from the students’ loved ones. 

Among the exceptional educators was Bernardo Yorba Middle School Elementary School principal Beth Fisher, who received the  “All Means All Award” for supporting the needs of all students on her campus. Beth has worked diligently to ensure our students with disabilities are included in all aspects of her campus in academics and extracurricular.   

A new award instituted this year was the Exceptional Includer Award which is given to one student from each comprehensive high school campus who exhibits inclusive traits with their fellow students to help them feel a sense of belonging on their campuses.  Each high school principal read wonderful tributes that epitomized how each student works to ensure our students are seen, valued, and heard. 

The celebration concluded with a heartwarming video slideshow that featured pictures of the night’s honorees working with their beloved students as they were reminded in the background song that, “You Can Count on Me.” 

The 2023 Exceptional Educators include: 

Rachel Ackerman
Katie Baucher
Katherine Becker
Sarah Belsey
Garrett Bentley
Kim Bordwell
James Cevallos
Cynthia Davila
Donna Frelly
Ana Gonzalez
Brooke Hanke
Brent Hendry
Malia Kasai
Janice Kishiyama
Jasmine Lodge
Matthew Mason
Melissa Moores
Kimberly O’Connell
Audra Ross
Stephan Settle
Edith Serrano
Sarah Shay
Breanne Sotelo
Mark Ukes
Kathy Ukes

Exceptional Includer
Abigail Huhn
Anthony Mendoza
Stephanie Reveles
Abbey (Sam) Hatch