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Yolo County Office of Education

Yolo County Office of Education

NOMINATION PROCESS

NOMINATION PROCESS

Any YCOE employee may be nominated as Employee of the Month for a worthy contribution to the organization. Nomination and selection criteria are related to the topics for the month below, significant contributions to the YCOE organization, its staff, students, or the educational community. Employees nominated under this program shall be reviewed for selection by a committee within YCOE, on a monthly basis. 
 
The award recipient shall be announced and recognized at the next Board of Education meeting, with one month's parking in the designated EOM parking spot (if applicable), a certificate of appreciation in recognition of their contribution, and a gift card. 
 
Employees not selected in any particular month may be selected and receive this award in a subsequent month, within the fiscal year of nomination, if the nomination falls into that month's topic.
 
Topic for Nomination:
August: Introduces innovative ideas or processes that improve efficiency or quality. Finds creative solutions to challenges or problems. Contributes to innovation within the organization

September: One YCOE: Consistently recognizing our interdependence, and leveraging the diversity of strengths, expertise, and insights of our team

October: Vision: Be a model of excellence in educational service, innovation, and impact

November: Mission: Provided inspiration, leadership, support, and advocacy that ensures equity and access to high-quality education for all students

December: Core Values: Stay Student-Centered, Communicate Effectively, Value Employees and Partners

January: Created and maintained a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment within our organization

February: Strategic Plan Goal 1: Created or participated in a countywide transitional kindergarten to grade 16 initiative that will cohesively, effectively, and sustainably improve student outcomes in Yolo County

March: Strategic Plan Goal 2: Innovate, collaborate, or participated within YCOE or with school districts to close access and opportunity gaps to support the success of students

April: Strategic Plan Goal 3: Engage YCOE students in model education programs in order to ensure they are college and career ready

May: Strategic Plan Goal 4: Increase and sustain innovative and effective practices in administrative services (operations, business, and technology) while delivering high-quality and responsive services

June: Strategic Plan Goal 5: Recruit, retain, and develop a high-quality and diverse YCOE team
 
2025 EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH
  • February 2025: Cathie Irwin, Program Coordinator, MTSS, Equity & Support Services Department
  • January 2025: Nedi Diaz, Early Learning Coach, ECE Department
 
2024 EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH
  • January 2024: Heidi Anderson, Teacher, Adult Living Skills, Davis
  • February 2024: Alyssa Alcazar, Paraeducator, Whitehead Elementary
  • April 2024: Alejandra Lopez, Program Specialist I, Cesar Chavez
  • May 2024: Rosie Vargas, Administrative Secretary, Special Education
  • June 2024: Kevin Tevis, Senior Computer Systems Specialist, Information & Technology Services
  • August 2024: Austin Adame, Senior Computer Systems Specialist, Information Technology Services
  • September 2024: Jeremy Jackson, Paraeducator, Adult Living Skills
  • October 2024: Rocio Jacobo Perales, Program Resource Specialist, Early Childhood Education
  • November 2024: Daniel Rubio, Senior Payroll/Benefits Technician
  • December 2024: Dr. Heather Schlaman, Coordinator, Literacy, Equity & Student Support
 
2023 EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH
  • March 2023: Alternative Education Paraeducators (Victoria Curry, Joel Garcia, Davina Huerta, Kristen Storz, Reggie Washington)
  • April 2023: Cat Vibert, Administrative Assistant, Educational Services
  • May 2023: Christie Petrali, Senior Payroll/Benefits Technician, Human Resources
  • August 2023: Abigail Briceno, Administrative Secretary, Information Technology Services
  • September 2023: Nicole Castrejon, Family Support Services Manager, Early Childhood Education
  • October 2023: YCOE Student Intern Partnership (Eric Banuelos, Austin Creamer, Ken Creamer, Matt Juchniewicz, Bruce Lewis, Ray Lippincott, Alejandra Lopez, Tomas Marquez, Ben Nan, Edwin Ortega Beltran, Hector Perez, Karen Swan, An Ta, and Darin Tidball)
  • November 2023: Tommy Hobbs Teacher, Dan Jacobs School
 
2022 EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH
  • January 2022: Bridget Vaughan, Sr. Business Services Technician, External Business Services
  • February 2022: Bianca Solorio, Foster Youth & Homeless Services Outreach Specialist, Student Services
  • March 2022: Gerry Scholl, Substitute Teacher/Substitute Paraeducator
  • May 2022: Human Resource COVID-19 staff (Anabel Figueroa, Bebe Reveles, Iris Tapia-Ramirez, Patti Robles)
  • July 2022: Rosie Vargas, Administrative Secretary, Special Education
  • August 2022: Darin Tidball, Senior Maintenance Technician, and Austin Creamer, Maintenance Technician, Support Operations Services
  • September 2022: Claudia Grimaldi, Accountant, Internal Fiscal Services
  • October 2022: Yvette Seibert, Executive Assistant, Superintendent's Office
  • November 2022: Lisa Munoz-Vasquez, Youth Advocate, Alternative Education
 
2021 EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH
  • April 2021: Chris Stringer, Network Engineer, Information and Technology Services
  • May 2021: Head Start Family Support Services staff (Rose Castaneda, Ana Ceballos, Teresa Jauregui, Cierra Joseph, Andrew Martinez, Julisa Melgoza, and Amelia Rodriguez Abonce)
  • October 2021: Heather Williams, Sarah Jull, Jonathon Monin, Roni Morales, Caitlyn Tsutsui, Greengate School
  • November 2021: Andrea Barajas, Administrative Secretary, Teaching & Learning
  • December 2021: Katya Griffin and Ana Renteria, Greengate School
OUR CURRENT EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

OUR CURRENT EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

February 2025: Catherine Irwin - Program Coordinator, Multi-Tiered System of Support - Equity & Support Services Department
 
This month's topic was “Strategic Plan Goal 1:”Created or participated in a countywide transitional kindergarten to grade 16 initiative that will cohesively, effectively, and sustainably improve student outcomes in Yolo County"
 
Cathie was nominated by her supervisor who is a dedicated and talented leader whose impact on Multiple Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELOP), Social emotional Learning (SEL), Universal Design Learning (UDL), and Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) has strengthened alignment and coherence through a whole-child lens. A true team player, she collaborates seamlessly within our Educational Services team, always bringing expertise, reliability, and a commitment to excellence. Her work in PBIS has been instrumental in establishing strong support systems across our districts, directly con-tributing to improved student achievement. Cathie’s highly successful Communities of Practice are widely recognized, with districts frequently seeking her out for her exceptional facilitation of professional develop-ment and ongoing support. When a gap emerged with Full-Service Community Schools, she stepped in with-out hesitation, demonstrating her adaptability and dedication. Her ability to complete reports with precision and work in partnership with others makes her an invaluable asset to our team and the districts we serve.
 
Cathie’s leadership in MTSS, ELOP, SEL, and PBIS has not only built stronger support systems but has also led to measurable improvements in chronic absenteeism and suspension rates across our county. Her deep com-mitment to systems work ensures that progress is not just initiated but sustained through thorough, ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and reflection. This relentless focus on continuous improvement has strengthened staff expertise and reinforced a culture of data-driven decision-making. Cathie has been instrumental in shaping our team’s collective knowledge, particularly in the realm of Universal Design for Learning, ensuring that equity and accessibility remain at the forefront of our efforts.
 
Beyond her technical expertise, Cathie’s partnerships and knowledge are transforming both systems and the culture of our team. She models what it means to be a true team player—collaborative, dedicated, and al-ways willing to support others—while still excelling in her individual responsibilities. Her ability to balance high-level systems change with precision in her own tasks makes her an invaluable leader, mentor, and col-league.
 
Please join us in celebrating and recognizing Cathie at the Yolo County Board of Education Meeting:
  • Tuesday, February 11, 2025 @ 3:30 p.m.
  • 1280 Santa Anita Court, Ste #120. Woodland, CA 95776
 
Congratulations Cathie!
RESOURCES

RESOURCES

 
For questions about Employee of the Month,
contact:
 
Assistant Superintendent
530.668.3784