Katie Black and Rola Saikali with Shared Values Award

Katie Black and Rola Saikali from Stauffer Middle School were honored by the Downey Unified Board of Education on Tuesday, February 21, 2017,  with the Shared Values Award in the area of Teaching and Learning. These two incredible Spartans were presented this award for engaging and motivating students in learning, using a rigorous and relevant curriculum based on principles of 21st Century Learning.  Congratulations to these two incredible teachers!  (from left to right:  Stauffer Middle School Principal Alyda Mir, Rola Saikali,  Board of Education President Martha Sodetani, Katie Black and Superintendent Dr. John Garcia)

Susan Fuqua with Shared Values Award for Teaching and Learning

On Tuesday Januarry 17, 2017, Downey Unified’s Board of Education honored Alameda Elementary School’s Susan Fuqua with the Shared Values Award in the area of Teaching and Learning for engaging and motivating all students in learning, using a rigorous and relevant curriculum based on the principles of 21st Century Learning. Great job Mrs. Fuqua, keep up the amazing work! (from left to right:  Board of Education President Martha Sodetani, Susan Fuqua, Alameda Elementary School Principal Charlene Shimada and Superintendent Dr. John Garcia)

Griffiths Middle School’s Instructional Leadership Team

On Tuesday January 17, 2017, Downey Unified’s Board of Education honored Griffiths Middle School’s Instructional Leadership Team with the Shared Values Award in the area of Continuous Improvement for providing improvements and enhancements to all aspects of programs based on performance data. Congratulations Griffiths Middle School! (from left to right: Humberto Garcia, Adrian Quintero, William Wharton, Nathan Charlton,  Board of Education President Martha Sodetani, Principal Dr. Rani Bertsch, Kathy Nicassio, Jason Quimby and Superintendent Dr. John Garcia)

Warren High School’s AVID Team

Warren High School’s AVID Team with Values Award

On Tuesday September 7, 2016, Downey Unified’s Board of Education honored Warren High School’s AVID Team with the Shared Values Award in the area of Student Achievement for providing students access to a positive and challenging learning environment to guide and inspire them in realizing their individual potential and to ensure they graduate college and career ready. Congratulations Bears, keep up the great work! (from left to right: Jeff Arnold, Principal Laura Rivas, David Cha, Kim Kropf, Paul Tse, Erica Gomez, Stephanie Fisher, Andrea Harris, Adriana Ruiz, Board of Education President D. Mark Morris and Superintendent Dr. John Garcia)

Williams Kindergarten Team and Instructional Technology Coach, Karen Kjar

Williams Kindergarten Team and Instructional Technology Coach, Karen Kjar with Values Award

The Kindergarten Team and Instructional Technology Coach, Karen Kjar, from Williams Elementary School were honored by the Board of Education on Tuesday September 7, 2016. Also receiving the Shared Values Award in the area of Student Achievement, this group of talented teachers was recognized for attaining optimum student achievement. (from left to right: Principal Terri Medina, Melissa DeShazer, Kim Colangelo, Stacie Hamilton, Erica Lee, Karen Kjar, Board of Education President D. Mark Morris and Superintendent Dr. John Garcia)

Yesenia Gonzalez with Values Award for Best Staff

Yesenia Gonzalez with Values Award

With the belief that highly qualified employees who reflect high moral and ethical character, and consistently model a passion for education must be recruited, trained and retained; Yesenia Gonzalez, Student Information Systems Manager, was honored by Downey Unified’s Board of Education with the Shared Values Award in the area of Best Staff and High Standards on Tuesday, November 1, 2016.

(from left to right: Downey Unified’s Chief Technology Officer, Chris Nezzer; Yesenia Gonzalez; Board of Education President, D. Mark Morris and Superintendent Dr. John Garcia)

Congratulations Yesenia, thank you for all you do for our staff and students. Keep up the great work!