The purpose of the Excellence in Education Awards is to recognize school employees in Tulare County who exemplify exceptional qualities and commitment to Tulare County students. An annual event, which is a co-sponsorship between Tulare County Superintendent of Schools Tim A. Hire and the Educational Employees Credit Union, honors the Administrator/Manager of the Year, Teacher of the Year and School Employee of the Year.


2022 Excellence in Education Winners

Winners, finalists and nominees were recognized at an invitation-only breakfast held at the Visalia Convention Center on November 2, 2022. Read a press release about the 2022 Excellence in Education award winners or watch a video highlighting the career and character of each winner below. 

Leanne Cerda
Leanne Cerda
Administrator/Manager of the Year Winner

Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District

Awards Ceremony Video

Nancy Warkentin
Nancy E. Warkentin
Teacher of the Year Winner

Dinuba Unified School District

Awards Ceremony Video

Blanca Esparza
Blanca Esparza
School Employee of the Year Winner

Earlimart School District

Awards Ceremony Video


2022 Excellence in Education Finalists & Nominees

Administrator/Manager of the Year

Finalists

Lisa Majarian
Visalia Unified School District

Melanie Matta
Hope School District

Nominees

Cheri Crook
Tulare City School District

Gjon Guerrero
Tulare Joint Union High
    School District

Tamara Lamb
Farmersville Unified School District

Stephanie Mendes
Earlimart School District

Beth Micari
Exeter Unified School District

Lou Saephan
Woodville Union School District

Robin Sirr
Dinuba Unified School District

Peter Sonksen
Lindsay Unified School District

Teacher of the Year

Finalists

John Boydstun
Lindsay Unified School District

Paige Williams
Visalia Unified School District

Nominees

Angela Franks
Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified
    School District

Katrina Lewis
The Academies Charter Management
    Organization

Erica Miramontes
Monson-Sultana Joint Union
    School District

Stefani Munk
Tulare City School District

Robert Rajewich
Tulare Joint Union High
    School District

Chai Saeteurn
Farmersville Unified School District

Gena Vest
Earlimart School District

School Employee of the Year

Finalists

Elisa Avila
Tulare City School District

Mary Ward
Visalia Unified School District

Nominees

Alexandra Contreras
Dinuba Unified School District

Esmeralda Feria Neri
Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified
    School District

Laura Guzman
The Academies Charter Management
    Organization

Gail Hartley
Monson-Sultana Joint Union
    School District

Noel Ortiz
Lindsay Unified School District

Jennifer Rodriguez
Farmersville Unified School District

Timothy S. Seible
Tulare Joint Union High
    School District