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YourHub.com \\ Simi Valley \\ Stories \\ Posting is no longer available. \\ School News

Rio School District Employees of the Year Named

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Contributed by: Nancy Mayerson on 6/15/2007

A Rio Plaza Elementary School teacher has been named Teacher of the Year and a district translator has been named Classified Employee of the Year by the Rio School District. Second-grade teacher Marisela Valdez has been teaching in the district eight years and translator Maria Angeles has worked at the district for 21 years. Both award recipients were honored at the June 7 district board meeting.

"We have so many exceptional teachers and employees in the district that it was very difficult to choose who should be honored," said Sherianne Cotterell, superintendent. "Marisela and Maria consistently demonstrate in their actions, focus and commitment that children and families come first. Both of them exemplify dedicated professionals who go above and beyond in serving our school communities and truly deserve to be recognized for their positive efforts, contributions and achievements."

For nearly 20 years, Valdez lived just a few blocks from Rio Plaza and attended the school from third to sixth grade. When she began teaching at Rio Plaza, she worked with teachers who were there when she was a student. As a teacher, Valdez enjoys working with her students and always reminds them to do their best. She is committed to her students learning and said she explains her lessons in a way that all her students can relate.

"I love my job and the students I work with every day are a very special part of my life," said Valdez. "I am honored to have been chosen Teacher of the Year by the district and my colleagues."

By offering her services as a translator at Rio Plaza and the district, Angeles has contributed to the success of many students. "My greatest reward is being a part of a system that allows parents to understand their child's educational program in their own language," said Angeles.

A native of Uruapan, Michoacan, Mexico, Angeles said her experiences in Mexico and subsequently in the United States, the country she has called home for the last 36 years, have assisted her in relating to the needs of many of the Rio School District families she serves. Her services to the district include translations of Individualized Education Plans, school site translations of various parent communications, and translations of district documents including board agendas and registration materials. She takes her job seriously and works diligently and meticulously to ensure the translations are contextually and grammatically appropriate.

The district serves the unincorporated community of El Rio, the RiverPark development and portions of the city of Oxnard. The district strives to provide world-class education to all of its 4,100 students.

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