Riverside County Office of Education

Classified Employee of the Year

Lesa Richer
Office/School Secretary
Division of Student Programs and Services

Based at the Don F. Kenny Regional Learning Center in Indio, Lesa supports school nutrition and textbook programs for RCOE’s Alternative Education Unit. Colleagues describe Lesa as “approaching each task in the right way, with the right attitude, at just the right pace.” During COVID, Lesa assisted with the delivery of food to several RCOE sites due to a shortage of staff and to ensure that meals were available for students at all sites. Additionally, Lesa has taken on the responsibility of tracking meal counts on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis to ensure accurate claim reimbursement reports. The leadership, dedication, and partnerships she has brought to her role was instrumental in the RCOE school nutrition program receiving a 100 percent score during the last state administrative review. 

Lesa's Message:
I am deeply honored and humbled to be recognized as the recipient of the RCOE Classified Employee of the Year award. This recognition must be shared with my team members of the School Nutrition and Textbook Program. They are the force behind the daily efforts to give quality services to our students at the level that we serve. Their efforts are the true reason for the success of our programs. I am grateful to work with these fantastic teams. I also appreciate Lacy Lenon Arthur and Tamara Smith for their leadership. Their full support of the program really makes a positive difference. This recognition further motivates me to do my best to assist the teams continuously serving the students with the highest level of services to help them fulfill every day with nutrition and education to succeed in school. I am truly grateful for this recognition.

Site Support Employee of the Year

Intensive Behavior Intervention Specialist
Division of Student Programs and Services

Located at the Innovative Horizons Charter School at Nan Sanders in Perris, Cristina exemplifies the title of site support in her work with Reach Autism students. She has been with RCOE for 14 years, and consistently makes extra time to work with teachers and staff to model how to implement evidence-based practices. She develops data collection methods and improvises for each students’ unique needs by coaching in a proactive manner that allows staff to ask questions so they may make adjustments while being guided, not criticized. Her colleagues describe her as having the “magic touch” to be able to walk into a classroom and make adjustments in real time to improve the functioning of the class. Cristina’s approach helps to decrease challenging behavior issues and improves delivery of instruction efficiently and effectively.

Cristina’s Message:
I am honored and grateful to be recognized as a 2023 RCOE Site Support Employee of the Year. I humbly accept this award on behalf of RCOE’s skilled team of dedicated Speech-Language Pathologists and SpeechLanguage Pathology Assistants. We thrive on helping students reach their full communication potential. We have the pleasure of partnering with the educational team to “move the ball forward” for our unique and diverse student population. The synergy of a dedicated team is always greater than the sum of its individual parts. As for my part, I will continue to strive to be a meaningful member of the team, to exceed expectations, grow/ learn, and be open to the input of others. “Speech-Language Pathologist” is not just my job title, it’s integral to who I am. For me, this award serves as an outward acknowledgement that others enjoy my contributions to our students and organization as much as I have enjoyed contributing. Thank you again!

Site Support Employee of the Year

Speech-Language Pathologist
Division of Student Programs and Services

Now in her 19th year at RCOE, Elon Parker wears many hats while working with students in RCOE’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Auditory/Oral Program at Enchanted Hills Elementary School in Perris. Her approach goes beyond the desire for students to communicate, as she is committed to seeing the whole child by sharing observations with all the team members to identify all factors that may affect the student’s ability to learn, communicate, and navigate his/her school environment and thrive in all areas. Students love Elon for her kind, fun, and nurturing personality, while parents consistently rave about her dedication to their children and her passion for working with students with hearing loss. Whether working with students who are three years old or twelve years old, her goal is the same—to help each student reach their fullest communication, academic, social, and community involvement potential.

Elon's Message:
It is a great honor to accept this award and see how much my colleagues recognize my hard work and dedication. I love my job and I try to put my heart and soul into it. I am pleased to know that I am making a difference! I am very thankful and fortunate for my remarkable team and colleagues for their continued support, and dedication as it takes every single one of us to help make a difference in our students’ lives.

Counselor of the Year

Jamechia Prater-Moril
Counselor
Division of Student Programs and Services

Jamechia Prater-Moril is a shining example of equity and access in action. She is continuously removing barriers and providing opportunities for students to succeed while expanding their educational journey beyond their current participation in RCOE programs. Most notably, she coordinated the UCR Dual Enrollment program for the past three years, which has more than tripled in student participants during that time. Jamechia has been a key figure in assisting students with completing the FAFSA, completing college applications, supporting students with socialemotional learning, and establishing and developing college and career fairs at regional learning centers and court schools. She has also worked with higher education partners to develop new protocols and timelines that led to an increase in pathway retention of 27% from the prior year. 

Jamechia's Message:
It is with immense gratitude that I thank those who nominated me for this award. It is gratifying to be honored and I share this honor with our students. This recognition allows me to shine the light brighter for our students who are identified as some of the most marginalized in our state. I would like to take the opportunity to reframe their positions as the most prolific, resilient, opportunity seizing, ambitious, and preserving students that I have the greatest fortune to be of service to. As the School Counselor and Dual Enrollment Facilitator for our 13 Court and Community Schools, I have the privilege to empower our students to envision themselves beyond their present circumstances and to prepare for a life of excellence where their dreams and wishes are fulfilled. Within this position, because of who our students are, inclusive to the creative and nurturing space that RCOE provides; I thank you for this recognition.

Principal of the Year

Arthur Kimball
Principal
Division of Student Programs and Services

Arthur Kimball is more than ‘just a principal’, as he serves as a principal over many different programs extending into Blythe, the adult education program (Desert Edge), jail and day reporting center sites (DRC), safehouse programming, and now juvenile halls. In his 7th year with RCOE, he participates on Alternative Education teams that focus on everything from LCAP and AVID, to curriculum and MTSS. Colleagues report how he deftly works with upset parents, and by the end of challenging conversations, has given them a sense of ease and comfort knowing that their students will be experiencing the excellence of RCOE’s Alternative Education programs. He previously worked with the Coachella Valley USD, which provided expertise and knowledge of the community which helps endear him to families who recognize that he is from the region and can support students beyond what a “regular” principal could do.

Aurthur’s Message:
I would first like to acknowledge that no award or recognition is an individual accomplishment, but rather a reflection of an amazing team. Incredible people in both my personal, and professional, life who have given me the support to be successful surround me. My mother, Barbara Kimball, who showed me the value of education and how it can transform a family, was my first motivator to try this career. My wife, Elizabeth, and my three sons, Richard, Jacob, and Nathaniel, have sacrificed to allow me the ability to dedicate myself to this work. My work family, whether it was community school, adult school, or the court schools, have allowed me to look forward to coming to work every day. This recognition shines a spotlight on the work that WE do in Alternative Education. My hope is that we continue to make a positive and meaningful impact on the lives of the students we serve. I am genuinely humbled at the honor, appreciative of the recognition, and forever grateful to everybody who has supported me on this journey. Thank you.

Classified Administrator of the Year

Craig Petinak
Director
Office of the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools

Craig Petinak doesn’t just work for RCOE and the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools. His work has a ripple effect across all 23 districts in the county that uplifts the excellence and heart within public education. Now in his 10th year at RCOE, Craig’s human-centered work blends the creative and strategic with the tactical and timely. From crisis communications and authoring press releases, to leading video productions and crafting internal newsletters, Craig also supports the school public relations professionals within each district to help them elevate their own schools, students, and programs. With his award-winning team of creative designers, communicators, and video producers, Craig is an unofficial chief storyteller for the transformational impact of education.

Craig’s Message:
Bob Burg once said, “Your influence is determined by how abundantly you place other people’s interests first.” The swiveling of this spotlight around to shine on my team, and our collective efforts, fundamentally conflicts with my approach of humbly lifting up those around me every single day. None of these accolades happen without an award-winning team that is as focused on the work, as we are on helping each other succeed. Thank you for bringing the best of yourselves to work every day and helping me to do the same.

I’d like to thank the mentors in my life who inspire me to keep growing, the three county superintendents who have given me the opportunity to raise the bar for communications, and my family and fellow educators for encouraging me to give of myself and my God-given gifts to elevate all those around me. 

Certificated Administrator of the Year

Myra Sanchez
Director
Division of Leadership, Wellness, and Student Services

Myra’s Message:
It is a great honor to be the recipient of the Certificated Administrator award for a career that allows me to practice what I have been taught my entire life – “Do unto others.” As the Director of the Migrant Education Program, my position allows for my team and I to develop programs and services that facilitate student graduation and college & career readiness, while exposing students to real-life experiences that assist in building confidence and character. I am privileged to work alongside so many talented leaders and educators throughout Riverside County who encourage my work and assist me to be a champion for my students. I have been in the field of education for over 30 years. In my time as an educator, I have served students in Pre-K through high school from diverse backgrounds. However, my time in Migrant Education has been the most rewarding. Witnessing former students return to express their gratitude for the migrant programs and share their successes has been most rewarding. I accept this award for myself, for my work family and for the migrant community that shares the work and responsibilities to ensure student success!

Milo P. Johnson Award of Distinction

Sandra Guerrero
Administrative Assistant to the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools
Office of the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools

Sandra's Message:
Thank you to our County Board Members for the honor of being selected for their Milo P. Johnson Award of Distinction. It’s a privilege to work at RCOE and one that I never take for granted. Being given this award by people I consider friends is humbling and very special. Thank you for your unwavering support and trust.

Years of Service

Retirees