Past Year CEOY Winners

Christopher Harris, Custodial Lead & Athletics Events Coordinator, Selah School District 

Mr. Harris wears multiple hats in his day to day service to the Selah School District. As the Custodial Lead and Athletic Events Coordinator for Selah Middle School and Selah High School, he is responsible for ensuring that the building is ready for students and staff to thrive. But, this doesn’t adequately address all that this individual does or the impact that he has. Harris is known for his intuitive and proactive approach to ensuring that staff and students’ needs are being met. 

Mr. Harris has been credited with the implementation of a Teacher Assistant program which allows students to work alongside Christopher while learning new life skills. He has also helped to implement Restorative Practices Time. During this time, he and the principal meet with students to determine projects students can help with around campus to give back to their peers. Many students have taken on a new sense of pride after seeing their classmates working hard for them, while the students in Harris’ programs are being introduced to industry work including plumbing, electrical and building maintenance.  

Former student, Hunter Robertson, shares how the dedication Mr. Harris shows in his role has impacted his own professional journey. 

“In my Senior year of high school, I had a TA period that I had chosen to shadow Mr.Harris during the 5th period of the school day… During that time I assisted him in cleaning the school, setting up events, and helping staff in the school. The experience I had allowed me to gain a perspective on the workforce, event administration, and community service. I have been a US Army medic for 3 years and still use the experience and opportunities Mr. Harris has shared with me in my everyday interactions at work. There is no better choice for a classified staff member of the year.”

Mr. Harris prioritizes making connections with EVERYONE! He cares deeply about his job, but more than anything else, he cares about people and it shows! The relationships he forms with students, his fellow employees and community members have a direct impact on the culture and climate of the Selah School District. 

Our other four nominees for this year’s Classified Employee of the Year award are listed below: 

• Beth Husted | Paraeductor | Zillah School District

• Whitney McCulloch | Paraeducator | Yakima School District

• Marillyn Barba | Paraeducator | Yakima School District

• Kierstin Lybeck | Data Specialist | Yakima School District

JILL HENDRICKS: Student and Family Engagement Liaison, West Valley School District

Jill Hendricks is the student and family engagement liaison for the West Valley School District. As part of this position, she is responsible for managing Ram Landing, a safe space at the West Valley Innovation Center for students and families experiencing homelessness.  Ms. Hendricks is being recognized with today’s award due to her extensive work in removing barriers that prevent student success by implementing a whole-family approach to providing support and resources and because of the strong relationships and community connections she has forged through her work.  

A famous author and historian, Howard Zinn once stated that, “Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.” There is no doubt that these last few years have changed the world we all knew. Even though our schools, offices and community stores are back open and to business as usual, the lasting impacts of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic are still presenting challenges for our students, our families, our colleagues and our community. It is through leaning into each other that we will come through this stronger. And, it is through the work of people like Jill, that we are inspired to do so. 

Ms. Hendricks was selected to serve as our ESD 105 Regional Classified Employee of the Year for the 2022-2023 school year by a panel of judges from within the Educational Service District and our greater community. Panel members included Curtis King (14th Legislative District WA State Senator), Rachel Bussey (Junior League of Yakima President), Gwyn Trull (ESD 105 District 6 Board of Director), Michael Closner (ESD 105 Executive Director of Teaching & Learning), Veronica Naranjo (ESD 105 Director of Human Resources), and Melissa Matczak(ESD 105 Assistant Director of Special Services). 

ESD 105 Regional Classified Employee of the Year for 2021-2022:

-Andy Gonzalez- 

Gonzalez was presented this year's award on June 2 by ESD 105 superintendent Kevin Chase during a surprise announcement at the Yakima School District's Central Office.

Last summer and fall, Gonzalez led his team in developing and launching a digital equity initiative called Project Gemini to help all of the school district’s students fully participate in remote instruction during the 2020-21 school year.  The system was implemented for the start of last fall’s classes and allows internet hot spots to be checked out by families who are otherwise unable to have internet access in their own homes. 

Additionally, after the traditional operations for classroom instruction were temporarily suspended in March of 2020, the Yakima School District made the decision to speed up the process of providing access to physical technology resources to all students enrolled in its schools.  Gonzalez led the school district's group of technicians throughout that spring and into the summer to gather and purchase necessary equipment, prepare technology for students and staff, and offer assistance in using it.

Gonzalez also implemented a help desk system this past year to allow staff, students, and parents to directly talk with members of the school district’s technology staff when needing help with newly introduced digital platforms or when experiencing technical difficulties with their computer.

Gonzalez has been the school district’s technology director since July of 2015, and has been employed with Yakima’s schools for nearly 30 years.  After starting a computer company that supported the study of DNA sequencing, he decided to take his first position with the school district in 1991 as a classroom paraprofessional.  Gonzalez eventually became a supervisor for the school district’s computer services operations in February of 2002, moved into the role of interim technology director for most of the 2012-13 school year, and worked as assistant technology director for two years starting in July of 2013.

“I feel the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,” Gonzalez wrote in his application for the regional award.  “Serving students is the most enjoyable way to effect change in the world.”

Andy will serve as one of nine regionally-selected candidates from throughout the state who will vie for the title of Washington State Classified School Employee of the Year, which is anticipated to be announced by OSPI this September.