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Executive Secretary in Menifee Union School District Named Final 2022 Riverside County Educator of the Year
Surprise visit by Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez, reveals 2022 Confidential Employee of the Year
MENIFEE – Tara Surguine was delivering a laptop to a conference room for her district superintendent at the Menifee Union School District on the morning of Tuesday, March 22. Instead, the executive assistant found a room full of her colleagues, family members, superintendent, a board member, and Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez, waiting with flowers, balloons, and applause to celebrate the news that she is the 2022 Riverside County Confidential Employee of the Year.
“It was obvious to the selection committee that Mrs. Surguine’s success is rooted in her belief that a confidential employee has the privilege to see and hear sensitive information with the honor to be supportive and resourceful in response,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez, who presented the news to Mrs. Surguine at the surprise visit. “She has been instrumental in updating nearly 800 board policies, promotes positive culture and climate, and has helped raise funds to help students in need during the holiday season.”
“I am honored to work in such an amazing and wonderful district,” said Mrs. Surguine immediately following the surprise announcement. “We couldn’t do what we do as a district without everybody here in this room.”
| Tara Surguine |
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Position: Executive Secretary to the Superintendent Award: 2022 Riverside County Confidential Employee of the Year District: Menifee Union SD Grade/Assignment: K - 12th grade Years in Education: 11 (6 in current position) Notable Info: Has served as an executive assistant in private industry and education for 33 years. Reinvented district’s annual holiday luncheon by turning it into an event that raised $900 to help provide toys, books, stuffed animals, jackets, and more, to students in need. Was instrumental in transitioning the organization to the new board agenda system, and has goal to have all board policies (over 800) updated before she retires. Quotable Quote from Application: “Children are the fruit of life and no matter what role you have in their education, it is important to give your all, as you get back so much in return.” |
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.
All Riverside County Educators of the Year will be honored at the Celebrating Educators Luncheon set for Tuesday, May 3, at the Riverside Convention Center.
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
Press release: Temecula Valley USD Educator Named 2022 Riverside County Certificated Administrator of the Year
Riverside County Confidential Employee of the Year
Tara Surguine, Executive Secretary to the Superintendent
Menifee Union School District
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