Armando Gomez, a database specialist for the Los Alamitos Unified School District, has been selected as one of nine OC Department of Education’s Classified Employees of the Year.
Gomez was named in the field of Technical Services.
All nine Orange County Classified School Employees of the Year are set to be formally celebrated during Classified School Employee Week, which starts May 15.
Each is now eligible to compete for honors through the California Department of Education, and if they advance, they could also be nominated for the national Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) awards program.
Gomez had been previously honored in February by District Suprintendent Andrew Pulver as the District’s Employee of the Year in the tech field. “Armando came to the District a little over six years ago as our Database Specialist position in the District’s IT department. He endlessly searches for innovative methods to improve our Student Information System and instructional needs, and has been instrumental in the planning and implementation of our virtual and hybrid learning models during the pandemic.”
Also named as District Classified Employees of the Year were Lisa Burke (McAuliffe IA Special Ed), Regina Brown Oak, Attendance Clerk), and Tiffany Penick EDCC (Weaver, Kids Korner).
Lisa Burke began her career in the District in 2006 as an Instructional Aide in Special Education. Through her 16year career, Lisa has worked at multiple school sites including McGaugh, McAuliffe, Los Alamitos High School, and the District Office. Lisa is Lisa Burke IA Special Ed McAuliffe exceptional and embodies what it means to truly serve students by ensuring opportunities for equity and access for all. Lisa is quick to go the extra mile for our District, including our students, staff and families, by supporting within the classroom walls, as well as outside the school day at sporting events or school dances. Lisa’s positive attitude, enthusiasm for student success, and passion for her work shines through in all of her interactions.
Regina Brown began her career in the District as a playground supervisor at Hopkinson Elementary School in 2013. In that same year, she moved to Weaver to be a part-time clerical support. Regina called Weaver home for four years until she moved to Oak Middle School as the Attendance Clerk where she currently works. Regina is known for her “can do “attitude along with the grace and poise she brings each day. Regina is loved by students, teachers and parents at Oak. Her smile, unwavering positivity, and her love for her work is contagious to us all. Regina’s efforts come from her heart and her motivation is driven by her genuine work to serve others.
Tiffany Penick has been with the District and Weaver community for over twenty years, Tiffany has supported and nurtured the thousands of students who have crossed Tiffany Penick EDCC (Kids Korner) Supervisor Weaver her door as the Weaver EDCC Supervisor. Kind-hearted, energetic, and dedicated, Tiffany sees each of her students as if they were her own children, guiding them when they struggle and taking pride in their accomplishments. From everything including safety protocols to partnering with LAEF, she also works tirelessly behind the scenes in ensuring that the day to day operations go seamlessly. Tiffany is one of the hearts and souls of Weaver, and we are so grateful for everything she does to bring a helping hand and a smile to the faces of so many!
The California Department of Education established the Classified School Employees of the Year program in 2008 to spotlight some of the unsung heroes within the education community, including custodians, instructional assistants, office clerks, technicians, bus drivers and other non-certificated staff members. Each year, school districts select their top candidates, who have the potential to win at the county, state and national levels.
In Orange County, which serves about 475,000 public school students, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union partners annually with OCDE to recognize local employees throughout the county who help ensure campuses are safe, supportive and engaging learning environments.
