Clark County School District (CCSD) Trustee President Irene A. Cepeda, Superintendent Dr. Jesus F. Jara, and Public Education Foundation (PEF) leaders surprised District employees today, who were selected as CCSD Employees of the Year.
Support Professional Employee of the Year: The Support Professional Employee of the Year is Mr. Mario Galvez, who has been with the District for three years. Mr. Galvez was previously the site-based computer technician at J. Harold Brinley Middle School and has since transitioned to Palo Verde High School.
The nomination of Mr. Galvez mentioned his role goes beyond his position as a site-based computer technician:
He is a customer service rockstar and goes above and beyond by being one of the most helpful people on campus, maintaining a positive attitude, and going out of his way to help solve problems.
When students need help with a Chromebook, he takes the approach of kind understanding with a side of accountability. He teaches children respect and responsibility.
Teacher of the Year: The Teacher of the Year is Mr. Jeremy Lawson, who has been with the District for seven years. He is a geoscience teacher at Desert Pines High School. The son of Lori Lawson Sarabyn, former principal of Cimarron-Memorial High School, Mr. Lawson was born to be an educator and has followed in his mother’s footsteps.
The nomination of Mr. Lawson indicates that:
He participates in the student mentorship program and is heavily involved in the Jobs for America’s Graduates program. Typically he “adopts” 20 kids at a time and is involved in their school activities, attends their events, and provides their favorite snacks on game days.
Mr. Lawson runs the Professional Learning Community for his content area. He teaches colleagues, specifically those new to the profession, and brings equity across the department by bringing his unit together to establish consistent grading practices.
Principal of the Year: Mr. Ryan Cordia is CCSD’s 2022 Principal of the Year. In his 12th year, he is currently the principal of the new career technical academy set to open in the northeast part of the valley in the 2023-24 school year. However, he was the principal of Southeast Career Technical Academy during the 2021-22 school year.
The nomination of Mr. Cordia reflects his leadership focused on student success:
He puts students at the forefront of every decision to ensure the campus provides a rigorous and inclusive environment for all. Mr. Cordia ensures equitable access for all students with real-world experiences, on-the-job training, and dual enrollment course offerings.
Mr. Cordia played a key role in achieving SECTA’s academic metrics by reaching:
- 100% graduation rate.
- 81% of students graduated with both high school and college credits.
- 74% of students graduated with real on-the-job experience in their field.
- Named the “Top Magnet School in America.”
Central Administrator of the Year: CCSD’s Chief Nurse Sheri McPartlin has been named Central Administrator of the Year.
Her nomination indicates her hard work during the pandemic:
Sheri McPartlin played a key role in navigating the COVID-19 pandemic by creating and operating the COVID-19 Hotline, implementing and facilitating COVID-19 testing procedures, and working with community stakeholders to provide students with tele-health services allowing for access to mental and physical health resources in a time of critical need.
The Employee of the Year Program awards individuals who have demonstrated exceptional performance and commitment to student achievement. Honorees place student success at the center of their work and focus on ensuring equity and access for all students. District-level awardees are recognized in four categories including Teacher of the Year, Support Professional of the Year, Principal of the Year, and Central Administrator of the Year.
All four Employees of the Year will be recognized at the Public Education Foundation’s Golden Apple Gala on Sept. 9, 2022.
To learn more about the District, visit newsroom.ccsd.net.
To learn about the PEF, visit thepef.org.
