Employee of the Month
NOMINATION PROCESS
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 and 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 inter-dependence, 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 | Exemplary Service to Internal and External Partners by providing high-quality, personalized support within the county and community of Yolo |
| 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 |
2026 EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH
- May 2026: Ruben Estrada, Computer Systems Specialist, Information Technology Services
- April 2026: Miriam Banuelos, Preschool Teacher, Prairie Center, ECE
- March 2026: Jucali Casas, Foster/Homeless, TUPE
- January 2026: Yara Cortes, Senior Business Services Technician, Internal Fiscal Services
2025 EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH
- January 2025: Nedi Diaz, Early Learning Coach, Early Childhood Education
- February 2025: Cathie Irwin, Program Coordinator, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, Equity & Support Services
- March 2025: Anabel Figueroa, HR Credential Technician, Human Resources Department
- April 2025: Yolo County Career Program (Gerardo Guerrero, Bruce Lewis, Tomas Montoya, Gabriela Nunez, Virginia Shedd, and Roni Morales) at Cesar Chavez Community School
- May 2025: Corwin Lowe, Manager, Internal Fiscal Services
- August 2025: Andrea Barajas, Administrative Assistant, SELPA
- September 2025: Kim Magallanes, Substitute, External Business Services
- October 2025: Julia Brown, Special Education Teacher, Whitehead Elementary (Horizon Program)
- November 2025: An Ta, Program Administrator III, Transition Age Youth & Adult Education, College & Career Readiness
May 2026 EOM
OUR CURRENT EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
OUR CURRENT EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
OUR CURRENT EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Ruben Estrada, Computer Systems Specialist, Information Technology Services
Topic: 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"
Ruben was nominated by a peer and recognized for his exceptional contributions while delivering high-quality and responsive services. Ruben, as a member of the IT Department, consistently demonstrates a high level of expertise, professionalism, and dedication in supporting staff across the organization. He plays a critical role in ensuring that technology systems run smoothly and efficiently, and he is often the person others rely on when urgent issues arise. His responsiveness and ability to quickly troubleshoot and resolve technical problems help minimize disruptions and keep daily operations running effectively. Beyond his technical skills, Ruben stands out for his proactive approach to improving systems and processes. He does not simply address immediate issues, he takes the time to identify root causes and implement thoughtful, long-term solutions that enhance overall functionality and end-user experience.
Ruben is also highly collaborative and approachable, consistently providing pa- tience and clear support to staff with varying levels of technical experience. His willingness to assist others, share his knowledge, and go the extra mile reflects a strong commitment to service and teamwork. Ruben's contributions have a meaningful and lasting impact on the organization's ability to leverage technology effectively.
The impact of Ruben's work extends beyond internal operations. By maintaining reliable systems and resolving technical issues quickly, he directly supports classrooms, school sites, and administrative teams in delivering consistent, high-quality services to students. When technology functions as intended, educators are better able to deliver instruction effectively, communicate with families, and access the tools they need to support student learning. As a result, our students benefit from having an educational experience that is felt across the county.
Please join us in celebrating and recognizing Ruben for his contributions to excellence at our next Yolo County Board of Education meeting.
ARchive of past employee of the month recipients
ARchive of past employee of the month recipients
ARchive of past employee of the month recipients
2024 EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH
- January 2024: Heidi Anderson, Teacher, Adult Living Skills, Special Education
- February 2024: Alyssa Alcazar, Paraeducator, Whitehead Elementary, Special Education
- April 2024: Alejandra Lopez, Program Specialist I, Cesar Chavez Community School
- May 2024: Rosie Vargas, Administrative Secretary, Special Education
- June 2024: Kevin Tevis, Senior Computer Systems Specialist, Information and Technology Services
- August 2024: Austin Adame, Senior Computer Systems Specialist, Information and Technology Services
- September 2024: Jeremy Jackson, Paraeducator, Adult Living Skills, Special Education
- October 2024: Rocio Jacobo Perales, Program Resource Specialist, Early Childhood Education
- November 2024: Daniel Rubio, Senior Payroll/Benefits Technician, Human Resources
- December 2024: Dr. Heather Schlaman, Literacy Coordinator, Equity and Support Services
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 and 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