Dr. Jara distributes first of Superintendent Challenge Coins to deserving CCSD employees

In mid-March, Superintendent Dr. Jesus F. Jara awarded the first Superintendent Challenge Coins to a dozen deserving Clark County School District (CCSD) employees.

He surprised dedicated, hard-working CCSD employees who have demonstrated going above and beyond in making CCSD #1forKids.

His first stop on March 14 was at the Education Services Division, where he distributed the Superintendent Challenge Coins to 11 CCSD employees who volunteered to stay late on Feb. 21 when Safekey programs closed early due to inclement weather.

Those receiving the Superintendent Challenge Coins were:

• Jackie Castellanos, Dispatcher
• Maritza Espinoza, Attendance Officer
• Pam Foltz, Senior Attendance Officer
• Will Hall, Attendance Officer
• Leo Jones, Attendance Officer
• Brooklyn Lauriano, Attendance Officer
• Mary Rice, Attendance Officer
• Robert Sperbeck, Attendance Officer
• Edgar Thomas, Attendance Officer
• Derrick Turner, Attendance Officer
• Annette Wilson, Attendance Officer

Later that morning, Dr. Jara visited Ethel W. Staton Elementary School to surprise kindergarten teacher Nikki McGuire, who had recently been profiled in a Las Vegas Review-Journal story for her commitment and love of teaching while fighting chronic myeloid leukemia since 2009.

Dr. Jara offered words of encouragement to McGuire, who was joined by fellow teachers and Principal Lindsay Tomlinson during the presentation. The superintendent said it was an “honor to meet one of our many heroes.”

In April, Dr. Jara paid a surprise visit to Regina James, a counselor at Cheyenne High School, awarding her a Challenge Coin for her indomitable efforts to boost student success.

Dr. Jara was accompanied by Angel Lima, who last year was basically two years behind in his credits but is now on track to graduating on time, due in large part to James’ tireless efforts. Lima’s aunt wrote a letter to the high school, saying that James was “the best advocate my nephew could ask for.”

To learn more about the impact being made by James, watch this story by Channel 13’s Bryan Callahan.