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Congratulations to the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District's 2023 Employees of the Year!

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 nine 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 (Video)
Golden Elementary School
Teacher of the Year
Michelle Woinarowicz

Kim Bidelspach (Video)
George Key School
Teacher of the Year
Kim Bidelspach

Eric Plunkett (Video)
Travis Ranch School
Teacher of the Year
Eric Plunkett

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

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

Linda Gaunt (Video)
Secretary
Valencia High School
Classified Employee of the Year
Linda Gaunt

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

Richard Jimenez (Video)
Director
Transportation Department
Classified Manager of the Year
Richard Jimenez

Staci Callaway (Video)
Counselor
Bernardo Yorba Middle School
Certificated Manager of the Year
Staci Callaway

The nine 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.
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