SANTA MARIA — Five Santa Maria Joint Union High School District educators were virtually recognized during a SELPA-Bration Awards program by the Santa Barbara County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) on Tuesday, Oct. 27.
The event, via Zoom, was intended to be in person earlier in the year but due to current circumstances, they had to be creative and find a new way to honor award recipients this year.
Winner in the High School Special Education Teacher Category is Denny McKee, who works at Pioneer Valley High School.
Honorable mentions for the district include: Gianna Diaz (RHS instructional assistant) in the Instructional Assistant Category; Chantel Miller (SMHS school psychologist) and Sandy Garcia-Berry (RHS speech pathologist) both in the Special Education Related Service Provider Category; Lynne Pace (RHS special education teacher) in the High School Special Education Teacher Category.
SMJUHSD School Board member Dr. Jack Garvin said, “Our employees received this recognition because they go above and beyond. Their dedication is unmatched.’’