Board Highlights

At the regular board meeting on June 12, the Board of Education celebrated staff for their dedication to the Tustin Unified School District as they enter retirement.

Certificated retirees included Tracy Brillhart RSP Teacher (Beswick Elementary), 33 years of service; Barbara Jackson English Teacher (Beckman High School), 29 years of service; Kristen Paulson Teacher (Tustin Connect), 27 years of service; Monica Noonen Teacher (Pioneer Middle School), 21 years of service; Barbara Stachelski Teacher (Columbus Tustin Middle School), 20.5 years of service; Joanne McDermott English Teacher (Foothill High School), 18 years of service; Cheryl Hyon Teacher (Hicks Canyon Elementary School), 17 years of service; and Maris Paule Teacher, Heideman Elementary School 8 years of service.

In addition, the Board honored the classified retirees Sissy Oberlin Office Assistant (Beckman High School), 28 years of service; Jan Hart Health Services Clerk (Student Services), 20 years of service; Brenda Eley Library Media Services Technician (Beckman High School), 19 years of service; and Alicia Dunmeyer Paraeducator (Columbus Tustin Middle School), 10 years of service.

Finally, the Board honored the management retirees Dawn Krueger Facilities Specialist (Maintenance & Operations), 24 years of service; Teresa Squibb Director (Nutrition Services), 20.5 years of service; Amy Lambert, Ed.D. Assistant Superintendent (Special Education), 7 years of service; and Jon Tuin, Ed.D. Principal (Tustin High School), 6 years of service.

The Board thanks each of these employees for their commitment to Tustin Unified School District, students, families and staff. The Board congratulates them on their combined 308 years of service and wish them the very best in retirement.

The regular board meeting of May 15 was a night of celebrations as the Board of Education honored standout students and staff for their remarkable accomplishments. The Board celebrated student Board Member Jaiden Le from Legacy Magnet Academy for his service to the Board this year.

In addition, the Board honored recipients of the Tustin Area Council for Fine Art's Barbara Benson Memorial Scholarship, awarded to students in support of their pursuit of arts education at a post-secondary institution. Congratulations to Rebecca Bledstein, Sunny Guo, Mia Mravle, Meena Senapathi, and Morgan Wilbert (Beckman), Mckenzie Siundzinski (Foothill) and Loryn Baum (Tustin).

Moreover, the Board celebrated Girls Elementary Volleyball Champions from Beswick Elementary and their coaches David Eagan and Donni Adrian. In addition, the Board also honored Boys Elementary Volleyball Champions from Ladera Elementary and their coaches Jay Warren and Nida Beg.

The Board also celebrated the Tustin High School Dance Team and their coaches Kierstie Nielsen Stone and Jonise Ngo for their recent first place win in the Miss Dance Drill Team USA 2023 Nationals. In addition, the Board honored the Beckman High School Dance Team and their coaches Megan Chavarria
and Mali Mokhtari for their outstanding results at the Contest of Champions and USA Dance Nationals.

Following this, the Board celebrated District Classified Employee of the Year Carol Moore and OCDE Teacher of the Year Finalist Vivian Chang.

The Tustin Public Schools Foundation President Sona Shah and Executive Director
Carol Burby Garrett presented a generous check to TUSD in support of our students, staff and program.

The celebrations closed as the Board thanked Tustin Toyota and Parts and Service Director Glenn Kashima for their generous ongoing support of our students through the Drive for Engagement program.

At their regular meeting on April 10, the Board of Education recognized Andres Garcia and Erin Song from Beckman High School, Malaika Fortes and Nyah Kinsey from Foothill High School,  Samara Delgado and Priscilla Gutierrez from Hillview High School and Valerie Ontiveros and Katherine Vu from Tustin High School in appreciation of their hard work and valuable contributions while serving as student representatives to the TUSD Board of Education during the 2022-23 school year. In addition to attending Board meetings and relaying information, they shared reports on school activities, programs and accomplishments, celebrating the students, staff and programs on their own campuses as well as across the District. 

In addition, the Board celebrated Foothill High School's Dance team lead by Head Coach Marrissa Maizland for their first-place win in the 2023 National Dance Alliance National Dance Championship Medium Varsity Pom category. Congratulations to team members Delaney Cougnet, Ella Cron, Jillian de Mahy, Sophia Janji, Jenna Koblin, Skylar Kovac, Sydney Kovac, Malia Mancini, Caroline Mills, Caileigh O'Hara, Brinley O'Neill, Harley Schade, Makayla Sellars, Sabrina Souter and Carly Young. Moreover, the Board honored Foothill High School's Cheer team lead by Head Coach Sabrina Cadwallader for their first-place win in the 2023 USA Spirit Nationals Varsity Show Cheer Intermediate – Medium category. Congratulations to team members Olivia Blackburn, Alexa Diaz, Madeline Feher, Kaitlyn Gaglia, Lauren Grant, Donya Kasravi, Marin Lee, Zoe Lee, Emma McHale, Emma Modrell, Kisa Murai, Kylie Nguyen, Chatham Nugent, Brenna Palomares, Emma Silva, Maddie Tran, Ceci Warren, Gigi Williams, Savannah Wokurka, Julia Wyatt and Jill Zeber.

The Board honored Charles Zimmerman from Pioneer Middle School and Yunji Lee from Orchard Hills School in celebration of their winning first place in the Daughters of the American Revolution, Katuktu Chapter essay contest focused on the Second Continental Congress, for their grade levels. In addition, Yunji Lee is honored for also winning at the Daughters of the American Revolution at the District level.

Lastly, the Board also highlighted the work being done to implement the Community Centers at the Title I Schools in this month's Bright Spot. Middle School Coordinator Kris Posavec introduced the 10 TUSD Community Specialists which lead the opening of these centers.

At their regular meeting on March 13, the Board of Education celebrated Counselor Bianca Contreras-Garcia from Loma Vista and her recent recognition by the Orange County Department of Education as Elementary School Counselor of the Year. In addition, the Board honored TUSD 2023 Administrators of the Year including: Michelle England, Foothill, Secondary Principal honoree; Eric Killian, Orchard Hills, Middle Grade Principal honoree; Lauren Steinmann, Loma Vista, Elementary Principal honoree; Agnes Vasquez, Hicks Canyon, Elementary Co-Administrator honoree, Megan Galindo, Columbus Tustin, Secondary Co-Administrator honoree, Maurita De La Torre, Chief Personnel Officer, Personnel/HR Administrator honoree and Ali del Castillo, Coordinator, Secondary Education, Curriculum and Instruction Administrator honoree. Lastly, the Board celebrated our 2023 Teachers of the Year including Vivian Chang, Red Hill, Elementary Teacher of the Year; Colleen Driscoll, Utt, Middle School Teacher of the Year; and Chelsea Dehn, Foothill, High School Teacher of the Year.

The Board also highlighted the work of our Adult Transition Program in this month's Bright Spot. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Amy Lambert was joined by Director Dr. Kate Christmas and Coordinator Johanna Puccio in celebrating the work of the staff and students a part of our Adult Transition Program.

Lastly, Student Board Members Erin Song (Beckman), Nyah Kinsey
(Foothill), Samara Delgado (Hillview), Jaiden Le
(Legacy) and Valerie Ontiveras (Tustin) shared recent events from their campuses. And, Malaika Fortes (Foothill) shared an overview of happenings from across the district at our elementary and middle schools.

At their regular meeting on February 13, the Board of Education celebrated those employees honored by Parenting OC in their 10th Annual School Heroes recognition. The Board honored
Top 25 Teachers Lori Pro (Benson), Joanne McDermott
(Foothill), and Joanna Lane (Tustin), Top 50 Teacher Victoria Miller (Benson) and Top 10 Employee Patty Lee (Tustin).

In addition, the Board celebrated Lindsay Fay (TOSA), Abbey Zinsser
(Tustin), Barbara Stachelski (Columbus Tustin), and Jennifer Bruckler (Myford) on their National Board Certification. National Board Certification is the most respected professional certification available in education, designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. We commend these educators for their commitment to lifelong learning, our students, families and community.

The Board also celebrated the Foothill Girls Lacrosse team, led by Head Coach Christina Johnson, in celebration of their back to back CIF Division 1 Championship wins. The FHS Girls Lacrosse team is the only back-to-back CIF Champions in the history of Foothill, as well as the only SS CIF Division 1 Girls Lacrosse championship team. Congratulations to players Simone Bibolet, Scout Coughran,
Adeline Healy, Alexa Lemerise, Taylor Puma,
Maya Weaver, Elena Torres, Mia Marchetti,
Zoey Stephens, Tatum Walshe, Courtney
Copeland, Brynn Perkins, Lizzy Weaver,
Grace Cumming, Katherine de Mahy, Sofia
DeGuzman, Grace Fischer, Allison Gallagher, Ali
Shimabuku, Prestyn Vickers, Elisa Davalos, Jenna
Cardeno, Katherine Chavez, Mikayla Yang,
Addison Duvel and Sophia Katnik, along with Assistant Coaches Morgan Fannell,Natalie
Novick, Vanessa Tonete, Corinn Valerie and
Olivia Ng.

And, Student Board Members Andres Garcia (Beckman), Malaika
Fortes (Foothill), Priscilla Gutierrez (Hillview),
Jaiden Le (Legacy) and Katie Vu (Tustin) shared recent events from their campuses.
Valerie Ontiveras (Tustin) shared an overview of happenings across the district at our elementary and middle schools.

Lastly, Coastline ROP Superintendent Dr. Brian Dozer and TUSD College and Career Coordinator Alita Salazar highlighted Legacy Magnet Academy's Virtual Enterprise course, apart of LMA's Business Management CTE pathway, in this month's Bright Spot.

At their regular meeting on January 17, the Board of Education welcomed Honorable Kimberley Menninger, Orange County Superior Court Judge who administered the Oath of Office for recently re-elected Board Members Jonathan Abelove and Lynn Davis.

In addition, the Board celebrated Beckman's Antonio Moon for his recognition by the Orange County Music and Arts Administrators as Secondary Theatre Teacher of the Year. Mr. Moon was honored for his commitment to excellence and positive impact on students through arts education.

Student Board Members Erin Song (Beckman), Nyah Kinsey (Foothill), Samara Delgado (Hillview),
Jocelyn Vu (Legacy) and Valerie Ontiveras (Tustin) shared recent events from their campuses. Malaika Fortes (Foothill) shared an overview of happenings across the district at our elementary and middle schools.

Moreover, the Board of Education honored each of TUSD's 2023 California Distinguished Schools. President Laird welcomed the principal and staff from Heritage, Hicks Canyon, Myford, Red Hill,
Tustin Memorial Academy and Orchard Hills as they were honored for their innovation, talent and success in supporting students.

At their annual organizational meeting on December 12, the Board of Education heard from Student Board Members Erin Song (Beckman), Valerie Ontivero
(Tustin), Priscilla
Gutierrez (Hillview), Malaika Fortes (Foothill) and Jaiden Le (Legacy) as they shared events from their campuses this month. Moreover, Andres Garcia (Beckman) shared an overview of happenings across the district at our elementary and middle schools.

In addition, CTE, Engineering, & Robotics TOSA, Megan Lund, shared the success of our Hour of Code and CubeSAT STEM programs. We are excited to hear that our students are excelling in these outstanding programs.

At their regular meeting on November 14, the Board of Trustees celebrated Beckman High School's Mahita Adluri and Suhina Chand. These seniors, along with their IUSD teammate, Keyon Jazayeri, were the US country-winner - AI Impact Creator award in the 13-18 year old category at the 2022 Intel Global Impact Festival. This annual digital readiness celebration for next generation technologists and teachers allows participants to showcase artificial intelligence and innovation. Suhina, Mahita and Keyon were celebrated for their project, Noted! - Scanner, Transcriber and AI Sorting Technology.

In addition, Student Board Members Andres Garcia (Beckman), Malaika Fortes (Foothill), Samara Delgado (Hillview), Jaiden Le (Legacy) and Katie Vu (Tustin) shared recent events from their campuses. Moreover, Valerie Ontiveras (Tustin) shared an overview of happenings across the district at our elementary and middle schools.

Kristin Simpkins, Dino Dash Co-Chair, presented a generous check from the Tustin Public Schools Foundation in addition to sharing the outstanding results of 31st Annual Dino Dash. The Board of Trustees was also joined by Eleanor Beatty and Ethel Reynolds from the Town and Country Philharmonic Committee who presented a check in support of our music programs.

And, College and Career Coordinator, Alita Salazar, highlighted the many outstanding partnerships made possible through our Career Technical Education program.

At their regular meeting on October 10, the Board of Trustees celebrated National Merit Scholar semifinalists. From Beckman High School, the Board honored Jeremy Chen, Grace Chia, Andres Garcia, Ellie Jiang, Andrew Kim, Eunvin Kim, Jenna Kim, Aidan Lu, Gerald Lu, Subhash Prasad, Andrew Suh, and Ian Tam. From Foothill High School, the Board recognized Anne Marie van der Hoek and Dylan Werdel. Selected based on their PSAT/NMSQT scores, these students are top scorers in the state, representing less than one percent of all competing. Simply remarkable!

In addition, Student Board Members Erin Song (Beckman), Katie Vu (Tustin), Priscilla Gutierrez (Hillview), Nyah Kinsey (Foothill) and Jaiden Le (Legacy) shared events from their campuses this month. Moreover, Malaika Fortes (Foothill) shared an overview of happenings across the district at our elementary and middle schools.

And, Nutrition Services Director, Teresa Squibb, shared a Bright Spot video highlighting the outstanding work of our Nutrition Services staff. 

On Monday, at their regular meeting, the Board of Education honored Tustin Girls Basketball Coach Claire Gocke in celebration of her receipt of the CIF Southern Section Champion of Character Award.  Coach Gocke was recognized for exemplifying the finest in sportsmanship, character, integrity and athletics. 

In addition, the Board heard reports from Student Board Members Samara Delgado (Hillview), Malaika Fortes (Foothill), Andres Garcia (Beckman), Jaiden Lee (Legacy), Valerie Ontiveos (Tustin) and Erin Song (Beckman).  Students shared an overview of events from their campuses, while Andres Garcia highlighted the elementary and middle schools across TUSD.  These students are to be commended for their outstanding reports!

Moreover, the Board of Education heard from Karen Knudson, Megan Venezia, Lisa Ryan, Monica Wyman, Elizabeth Diaz and Monica Sharp, as they shared an overview of our elementary summer school program and professional learning opportunities.  The great success of summer school, serving 320 students, and the summer scholars week of learning for GATE students, were celebrated.  In addition, the well attended professional learning opportunities available to staff this summer were highlighted.

At their regular meeting on Monday, August 22nd, the Board of Education celebrated Beckman AVID/science teacher Tracy Dawson as she was selected by the Orange County Department of Education as one of only six finalists in the County Teacher of the Year competition. Ms. Dawson was celebrated by the Board for creating positive learning environments, her commitment to and support of the students and staff, and her excellence in teaching and learning. She will now represent the County in the California Teacher of the Year competition.

In addition, student board members Andres Garcia and Erin Song from Beckman, Malaika Fortes and Nyah Kinsey from Foothill, Valerie Ontiveros from Tustin, and Priscilla Gutierrez and Samara Delgado from Hillview were sworn in. These students, along with peers from Legacy Magnet Academy, will have the opportunity to share highlights from their campuses as well as schools across the district.

Moreover, College and Career Coordinator, Alita Salazar shared the successes of the Career Technical Education (CTE) Pathway program offered this summer. Teachers Angie Soriano and Dr. Brandee Ramirez spotlighted their work with students, along with Beckman senior Trinity Tran who highlighted her experience interning at Ernst and Young.

Lastly, Sal Sanchez, Senior Director, Maintenance and Operations, and Tom Rizzuti, Director, Facilities and Planning, shared an update for the Board of Education regarding the numerous projects completed over the summer. We look forward to the next meeting of the Board of Education on September 12th.