PUSD announces its classified employees of the year
Two classified Poway Unified School District employees got happy surprisesFriday morning when they were named the district’s classified employees of the year.
Rick Claur, an electrician with the district’s maintenance and operations department, and Susie Warriner, school secretary for Poway High School, were surprised at work Friday morning with flowers and congratulations from Superintendent John Collins, board member Michelle O’Connor-Ratcliff and several other PUSD employees.
Claur and Warriner will continue on to be eligible to be selected as classified employee of the year at the county level.
Claur has been described as “a lifelong learner” by his supervisor, Mike Tarantino, director of Facilities, Maintenance and Operations. “If he already possesses the knowledge and skills to complete the job, he does so in a timely manner and according to industry standards. If he needs to acquire new knowledge and skills, he’s on it.”
Claur understands the importance of teamwork, routinely offering instruction and guidance to the individuals with whom he works, according to a press release from the Poway Unified School District. He is seen by his colleagues as a mentor and coach.
Rick is so dedicated to his job he even answers calls on nights, weekends and holidays, said Tarantino.
He also volunteers with his church, gives of his time and talents to humanitarian work, recently helping to rebuild and restore residences in the wake of a devastating tsunami in the Philippines.
“I’m just doing my job,” said Claur, who thanked the district for the recognition. “I’m going to continue to do my job.”
Warriner is the primary discipline secretary at Poway High School who routinely deals with situations that require confidentiality, respect, and the processing of critical documents and paperwork in an accurate and timely manner, according to a press release.
“(This award) is all about who you are and how you go above and beyond,” said Collins during the surprise visit.
According to Assistant Principal Pete McKee, Warriner is a valuable resource to the staff, teachers and students at Poway High School. “She is a mentor to many of the students she sees in the discipline office, offering a great deal of guidance and support to those in need. Susie treats everyone with a positive and professional attitude. She is warm, approachable, and engaging. She represents a willingness to help others, a desire to learn new things, and she is always looking for ways to improve how things are done,” said McKee in a press release.
Warriner is also an advisor for the school’s Key Club, maintaining all student member records, permission slips, and facilitating field trip requests. She is also a liaison for the Kiwanis Club and encourages Poway High School students to provide community service, develop character and leadership skills.
She also trains, directs and leads the Stephen Ministers at Hope UMC, building awareness of the program within the congregation and community.
“I love my job, I love it,” said Warriner. “I’m just delighted.”
The 2015 PUSD Classified Employees of the Year for each site are:
Adobe Bluffs
Kathy Vasko, Office Assistant II
Canyon View
Linda Campise, Library Media Technician-Elementary
Chaparral
Rhandy Galvez, Custodian
Creekside
Deborah (Debbie) Lambert, Health Services Technician
Deer Canyon
Judy Andrews, Health Services Technician
Del Sur
Rodrigo (Rod) Valdez, Lead Custodian
Garden Road
Sharlyn Hurtado, Instructional Assistant-Preschool
Highland Ranch
Amy Yamasaki, School Administrative Assistant-Elementary
Los Penasquitos
Nelly Malham, Behavioral Intervention Instructional Assistant
Midland
Carol Anderson, Library Media Technician-Elementary
Monterey Ridge
Nicole Moore, Instructional Assistant I - Special Ed
Morning Creek
Christopher (Chris) Lynch, Lead Custodian
Painted Rock
Marianna Koehmstedt, Food and Nutrition Assistant II
Park Village
Joyce Anderson, Library Media Technician-Elementary
Pomerado
Kathryn (Kathy) Webb, School Administrative Assistant-Elementary
Rolling Hills
Nancy Wilkens, Behavioral Intervention Instructional Assistant
Shoal Creek
Gustavo Bernal, Lead Custodian
Stone Ranch
Russ Vollrath, Instructional Assistant II-Special Education
Sundance
Celestine Raj, Instructional Assistant II-Special Education
Sunset Hills
Anne Smith, Computer Resource Assistant
Tierra Bonita
Cheri Kellhofer, School Administrative Assistant-Elementary
Turtleback
Teresa Small, Health Services Technician
Valley
Tomoyo Ponceau, Noon Duty
Westwood
Jackie Chesebro, School Administrative Assistant-Elementary
Willow Grove
Kelley Magill, School Administrative Assistant-Elementary
Bernardo Heights
Jane Lauderdale, School Administrative Assistant-Middle School
Black Mountain
Janet Alkema, Library Media Technician-Secondary
Meadowbrook
Debra Soloman, School Secretary
Oak Valley
Katie Andrews, Attendance Accounting Assistant II
Twin Peaks
Gary Carpenter, Lead Custodian
Abraxas
Heather Key, Instructional Assistant II-Special Education
Del Norte
Teresa (Teri) Johns, Office Specialist
Mt. Carmel
Deborah Thomas, Library Media Technician-Secondary
Poway High
Susan (Susie) Warriner, School Secretary
Rancho Bernardo
Paz Villanueva, Custodian
Westview
Iban (Ivan) Ramirez, LAN Administrator
BSS
Brigitte Russo, Executive Assistant
CTAE & Alternative Programs
Denise Kelly, Instructional Assistant-Vocational Education
Early Childhood & ESS
Betsy Crook, Administrative Assistant II
Finance
Naomi Sweet, Administrative Assistant II
IT
Vincent March, LAN Administrator
LSS
Kathy (Katherine) Rinehart, Executive Assistant
M & O
Ricardo (Rick) Claur, Electrician
PSS
Lorrie Larsen, Payroll Technician
Special Ed
Maria Amaya, Administrative Assistant II
Student Support
Lynn Salo, Office Assistant II
Transportation
Hilda Chaiday, Bus Transportation Aide