Meet Pasadena Unified Honorees

(L-R) Top: Robyn Wehrly, Elisa Pérez,, Yvonne Garcia. Bottom: Nia Harris Bailey, Emilia Sanchez, Warren Skidmore (Photos – PUSD). Graphics Dept.)

Pasadena Unified School District held its annual Back-to-School event for staff on Tuesday, August 14.

By News Desk

The event, attended by teachers, administrators, and classified staff from across the district, celebrated the exceptional contributions of staff and volunteers who have gone above and beyond in their service to the PUSD students.

Awards were presented to the following individuals:

Robyn Wehrly, Teacher of the Year.  Ms. Wehrly is a special education teacher at Octavia E. Butler Magnet Dual Language STEAM Middle School. She loved learning at a very young age and was the first person in her family to attend college. She graduated from the University of Michigan with degrees in psychology and English. After working in residential care, she went on to obtain her master’s degree in special education from George Washington University. For the past five years, Ms. Wehrly has inspired the joy of learning while teaching math and science at Octavia E. Butler Magnet.

Elisa Pérez, Principal of the Year. Dr. Pérez has been the principal of Madison Elementary School for three years and has an initiative to improve reading proficiency and implement a community school model that brings academic, health, and other resources to students and their families. Dr. Perez is a fluent Spanish speaker and was the first in her family to graduate from college. A social justice educator, Dr. Pérez started her career in education to make a difference in the way students learn and to create greater and more equitable opportunities for all children, especially those who are furthest from opportunity. Dr. Pérez has a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from UCLA, an Administrative Services Credential from Cal Poly Pomona, a Master of Education from UCLA, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Spanish Literature from Georgetown University.

 Yvonne Garcia, Classified Employee of the Year.  Yvonne Garcia, Substitute Services Technician, Human Resources Department. Ms. Garcia has single-handedly transformed substitute teacher services in PUSD: she has helped recruit and support more than 150 substitute – or guest – teachers committed to USD, replacing the former system of using agencies. She implemented new systems and procedures to ensure that students have a guest teacher when their regular classroom teacher is absent. She has assisted with the recruitment and retention of long-term substitute teachers and is the first friendly face substitute teachers see when they come through the door. Always willing to assist and collaborate in finding solutions, Ms. Garcia demonstrates leadership and commitment, proactively working to fill absences each morning before students arrive at school. Ms.Garcia is the proud parent of PUSD students, a member of the PTA, and a beloved school volunteer.

Nia Harris Bailey, Volunteer of the Year.  Nia Harris Bailey is the Vice Chair of the African American Parent Council (AAPC) for the Pasadena Unified School District, past President and current Community Liaison of the John Muir High School PTSA, and member of the Black Student and Family Task Force. She has served on the School Site Council, the Steering Committee for the PUSD Strategic Plan, and the Black Student Success Task Force. Raised by parents who instilled in her the belief that anything is possible, and emphasized the importance of volunteerism and advocacy, Ms. Bailey grew up feeling supported and affirmed in school and strives to ensure that all students in Pasadena have a similar experience. A wife and mother of four, she has found an affinity with organizations and individuals committed to improving educational outcomes for all students. She has worked at a nonprofit foundation for the past 16 years, helping clients with their investment and planned giving needs.

Superintendent’s Awards

The Superintendent’s Award recognizes individuals or organizations that have gone “above and beyond” the normal expectations for their roles or jobs in supporting students and schools.

Emilia Sanchez retired this year after more than 36 years of service to PUSD. She was most recently the Administrative Services Manager, where she coordinated support for the offices of the Superintendent and Board of Education, including preparing agendas for public meetings. She worked in the Superintendent’s office for 24 years, mentoring and training generations of clerical staff who now serve schools and district offices as office managers, administrative assistants, and executive secretaries.

Warren Skidmore  A PUSD parent and astrophysicist, Warren Skidmore has organized the district’s annual Science Fest, which aims to inspire and inform students and their families about the opportunities for science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), computing, and environmental-based careers in the region. He has been an active member of the PTA and the Community Advisory Committee. He is an Instrumentation System Scientist with the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) International Observatory. During the solar eclipse earlier this year, he demonstrated telescopes so that students could view the eclipse safely.