We want to recognize and say thank you to all of the outstanding educators and health care professionals across the Rowland Unified School District who make a difference every day in the lives of our students. We honor you this week for

Teacher Appreciation Week and School Nurse Day!

Stars of Rowland Unified Shine at Employee of the Year Recognition Dinner

The Board of Education with District Employees of the Year:

Administrator of the Year Corrie Duran, Director of Fiscal Services, District Office

Teacher of the Year Olivia Vasquez, Education Specialist, S.T.A.R.S. Adult Transition

Classified Employee of the Year, Marisol Campos, Campus Aide, Hurley Elementary

The Rowland Unified Board of Education honored the Classified and Certificated Employees of the Year from across the District at the annual recognition dinner hosted at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel.

Employees walked the red carpet and were greeted and interviewed by RUSD Student RUN Reporters (Rowland Unified News) in a beautiful outdoor setting. Students pictured left: (Hozier Esparza and Amy Li from Hurley Elementary, Ethan Yee and Destiny Larrabee from Jellick Elementary, Alan Yulo from S.T.A.R.S. Adult Transition, and below RUN Photographer for the evening, Camilo Mogollon from Santana High School.)

The RUSD High School Orchestra (with students from both Rowland and Nogales High Schools) entertained guests during dinner and the fabulous MC's for the evening were Jellick Teacher Nancy Buck and Director of Human Resources, Dr. Maria Thompson. At the end of the evening, the District Employee of the Year feature video spotlights were shown. Congratulations to all of our RUSD stars!

RUSD'S TEACHER OF THE YEAR VIDEO Olivia Vasquez - S.T.A.R.S. Adult Transition

VIDEO of Rowland Unified School District Teacher of the Year,

Olivia Vasquez, Education Specialist S.T.A.R.S. Adult Transition

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week and Rowland Unified is proud to honor all of our dedicated educators! Rowland Unified School District congratulates our District Teacher of the Year, Olivia Vasquez, Education Specialist. (Pictured as she was surprised with the honor by Director of Special Education Stacy Berrest and Annette Ramirez, Director of Community Schools.)

Throughout more than 20 years of her career, Ms. Olivia Vasquez has served students in the S.T.A.R.S. Adult Transition Program with outstanding work performance and an extraordinary dedication to student success. She believes no student should be limited in what they can achieve, and strives to ensure they feel happy, confident, and capable.

Ms. Vasquez creates meaningful, real-world learning experiences that prepare students for life beyond the classroom. She leads STARSbucks, a monthly student-run coffee shop serving staff at the District Office, where students gain hands-on experience in customer service, communication, and money management. She also creates community-based work opportunities through partnerships with Marriott and Costco, ensuring students are prepared for employment with dignity and purpose.

Teaching with genuine love and empathy, she fosters an environment where students feel safe, supported, and valued. Her leadership, compassion, and dedication extend beyond the classroom, impacting colleagues and the broader school community.