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Temecula Valley USD Educator Named 2022 Riverside County Certificated Administrator of the Year
Surprise visit by Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez, reveals sixth of seven educators of the year
TEMECULA – While sitting in a meeting with her supervisor, Donna Lione had no idea that dozens of well-wishing Temecula Valley Unified School District (TVUSD) employees, her husband, and Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez, were poised to barge in with news that she is the 2022 Riverside County Certificated Administrator of the Year.
“Mrs. Lione has led her team in the creation of a comprehensive initiative aimed at supporting ‘the whole child’ with an emphasis on behavior and social-emotional support,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez, following the cheers and applause from her colleagues. “She has worked hard to create systems so that our vulnerable students have a positive first experience and undeniable access to the right resources.”
Honoree Highlights
| Donna Lione |
|---|
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Position: Director of Student Welfare & Success Award: 2022 Riverside County Certificated Administrator of the Year District: Temecula Valley USD Grade/Assignment: K - 12th grade Years in Education: 21 (7 in current position) Notable Info: As the Director of Student Welfare & Success, Donna works tirelessly to implement systems that remove barriers for students to succeed upon entering the public education system. She has coordinated many aspects of the district’s COVID-19 response, shifted mindsets related to student discipline, and ensured services for foster youth and homeless students. She leads with a passion for, and understanding of, “at-promise” students, to ensure they have access to resources. Quotable Quote from Application: “I personally operate under the belief that every child/student deserves every opportunity to grow, thrive, and succeed, regardless of their socio-economic status, race, gender, and/or sexual identity.” |
The full list of categories and honorees for the 2022 Riverside County Educators of the Year:
Riverside County Classified Employee of the Year
Elia Sanchez, Clerk/Community Liaison
Corona-Norco Unified School District
Riverside County Principal of the Year
Jannette Price, Principal
Riverside County High School (Alternative Education)
Riverside County Office of Education
Press release for Sanchez and Price: First 2022 Riverside County Educators of the Year Named in Surprise Visits
Riverside County Classified Administrator of the Year
Daniel Cappello, Director of Nutrition Services
Desert Sands Unified School District
Riverside County Site Support Employee of the Year
Ioana Pirvu Robles, Secondary Math Teacher on Special Assignment
Palm Springs Unified School District
Riverside County School Counselor of the Year
Damon Bonelli, Counselor, Bella Vista Elementary School
Palm Springs Unified School District
Press release for Cappello, Pirvu Robles, and Bonelli: Three Desert-Area Educators Named 2022 Riverside County Educators of the Year in Surprise Visits
Riverside County Certificated Administrator of the Year
Donna Lione, Director of Student Welfare & Success
Temecula Valley Unified School District
Riverside County Confidential Employee of the Year
Tara Surguine, Executive Secretary to the Superintendent
Menifee Union School District
Press Release: Executive Secretary in Menifee Union School District Named Final 2022 Riverside County Educator of the Year
The Riverside County Educators of the Year are selected from the more than 36,000 educational employees in the county. The rigorous application process starts with nominations by teachers, classified employees, and school district administrators throughout the county. Applications are then submitted to the Riverside County Office of Education, where an outside selection committee selects the honorees before the county superintendent announcement.
Clarification: The 2022 Teachers of the Year were named in mid-2021 to align with the 2022 California State Teacher of the Year competition. The 2023 Riverside County Teachers of the Year will be announced in May/June of 2022.
2022 Riverside County Teachers of the Year (named in mid-2021)
Karrie Carlson
Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher
Riverside County Office of Education
(assigned to Murrieta Valley High School)
Kathleen Magaña
3rd Grade Teacher
Garretson Elementary School
Corona-Norco USD
Kristan Morales
Mathematics Teacher
Chaparral High School
Temecula Valley USD
Nichi Aviña*
Science Teacher
Cielo Vista Charter School
Palm Springs USD
* Nichi Aviña was named a 2022 California Teacher of the Year in October 2021