Past Classified Employee of Year Winners

Angelica Cardenas is a developmental preschool paraeducator at Pioneer Elementary in the Sunnyside School District.

With 8 years of service in early learning, Angelica has consistently gone above and beyond to meet the needs of the whole child. She is a calm, steady presence known for her advocacy for mental health, her deep knowledge of student needs, and her unwavering belief that every child can learn when given the right support!

One of her most notable contributions has been the creation of a sensory room at Pioneer Elementary, a space that provides students with a safe, calming environment to self-regulate and re-engage in learning. Her efforts have led to a significant reduction in behavior-related challenges, improving the overall classroom experience for students and staff alike.

Angelica collaborates closely with teachers, supports fellow paraeducators, and regularly partners with families. She has also received her district’s Life Saver Award for her dedication to student well-being.

Her recognition is a reflection of her exceptional service and of the critical role that classified staff play in supporting student success.We are proud to honor Angelica Cardenas as our 2025 recipient.
 

Our 2024 Classified Employee of the Year is Erica Aparicio, a community health worker for Yakima Public Schools.

Going above and beyond is her norm. In education, we often recognize individuals for going above and beyond the call of duty when they make home visits or engage outside of school in the greater community. For Erica, this is her norm; she regularly conducts work in the community, meeting families where they are most comfortable.  

She has an impact by showing care and support for displaced families. Recently a family from Venezuela came to our country with nothing but the clothes on their backs and a couple of immunization records. Erica quickly enrolled the students in school, made sure they had the supplies and resources they needed, and connected them with housing services. Erica embodies the whole child - whole family approach.  A letter of recommendation for this award was written by one of the many parents she has supported, “Miss Erica is an excellent person because when we arrived, we had nothing… She came to my motel to help by bringing food, coats, blankets, clothes and shoes… She also helped with my daughter’s immunizations and doctor appointments at the clinic… she helped me secure an appointment for housing…I feel very grateful .” 

She is an advocate for community health. During COVID, Ms. Aparicio was assigned to support State mandated COVID-19 testing and contract tracing requirements. While working in this capacity, she recognized a greater need in the community; a need for a community health worker that met families where they were at with what they needed most. Armed with the knowledge of, and access to, essential community resources available to families, Ms. Aparicio has been able to do just that. When COVID relief funding to cover this position was no longer provided, Erica advocated for the continuation of her position to support the whole child, through support of the whole family. Yakima Public Schools has continued this investment in their students and community because of the success they’re seeing as a direct result of Erica’s contributions. 

Erica has also been instrumental in the development of several free vaccine and sports physical clinics and a community pantry that have benefitted hundreds of Yakima students and families since assuming her current role. 

Ms. Aparicio changes the dynamics of entire families.  Before the onset of the pandemic, Erica was working with a student who experienced severe cognitive delays which made it impossible for her to communicate with others. Erica created a PECS Book (Picture Exchange Communication System) so that this student could communicate her needs, giving her a sense of empowerment and a link to the outside world. After the closing of our nation’s public schools, Erica was very concerned that the progress she’d been able to make with this student would be impacted. To ensure this student’s success, Erica translated this machine into the family’s home language and met with the family over Zoom to train them in how to use it. This was the first time the family was able to communicate with their child, knowing exactly what she needed. Erica did not just change the life of this student for the better, she changed the dynamic of an entire family! 

Erica is a leader, mentor, advocate and friend to many. Beyond the examples of excellence provided for Erica are many more stories of connection, innovation and care. 

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.