The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District is proud to recognize several of its exceptional employees who were recently honored through the Monterey County Office of Education’s Classified School Employee of the Year (CSEY) and Teacher of the Year (TOY) programs.
A total of 54 classified employees were nominated across Monterey County by 12 school districts. Of the nine possible categories, only one winner is selected per category at the county level. This year, four of those nine countywide winners are from MPUSD:
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Fran Ryder – Paraprofessional Services
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Erik Lualemana – Security Services
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Nancy Derr – Food and Nutrition Services
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Brenda Perez – Health and Student Services
These employees were surprised with the news on Friday, April 4, 2025, by Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Deneen Guss and her team, joined by MPUSD Superintendent PK Diffenbaugh.
In addition to the county winners, MPUSD also proudly recognizes the following nominees for their outstanding service and dedication:
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Julie Gonzales – Clerical and Administrative Services
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Charles Veroy Alston – Custodial and Maintenance Services
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Eddie Schultz – Transportation
While these nominees were not selected as county winners, their contributions are equally valued, and they will be honored for their service at the upcoming Monterey County celebration.
MPUSD also celebrates Ben Holiday, who has been named Monterey County’s Middle School Teacher of the Year. He is one of only 22 educators nominated by 13 school districts across the county.
All honorees will be recognized at the Monterey County Office of Education's celebration dinner on Friday, May 9, 2025, at the Embassy Suites Monterey Bay in Seaside.
MPUSD congratulates all its nominees and winners for their incredible contributions to students, families, and the greater school community.