LUCERNE VALLEY -- Lucerne Valley Elementary School teacher Jacqueline Lopez and Maintenance & Operation team lead Lillian Thomason were named Employees of the Month during the Thursday, January 12th meeting of the LVUSD Board of Trustees. Both employees were presented their awards by Superintendent Peter Livingston and congratulated by the school board.
Certificated- Jacqueline Lopez
“Jackie has served as a teacher for the past five years at Lucerne Valley Elementary,” Mr. Livingston said, quoting LVES Principal Joanna Mora and Assistant Principal Suzie Manley who nominated her. “She is truly a teacher who loves working with our SAI students and she has a special talent for creating special bonds with her students, creating an atmosphere of safety and trust. Students in Miss Lopez’s class know the expectations for behavior and academics and they continually strive to meet them.
“Jackie is one of the most collaborative and flexible teachers we have on campus. She works with three different grade levels to schedule the instructional times that will work for each and every grade level with each student’s individualized needs always at the forefront of her decision making process. She also has an excellent rapport with the aides in her classroom. She has created a cohesive team with assigned roles that make her class run smoothly throughout the day.
“Miss Lopez is highly depended upon by administration to ensure that we are in compliance with students’ individualized education plans and she is fiercely protective of ensuring that we are doing everything possible to ensure that our students have all the educational and emotional supports to be successful in her class and the other classes they attend throughout the day.
“We are grateful for Jackie’s upbeat outlook and love for our students. Her willingness to be a positive and collaborative member of our SAI team as well as our 4th – 6th grade teams. Her commitment to our students and their social and educational needs are what led us to choose her as our January employee of the month!”
Mr. Livingston noted by Jacqueline Lopez is one of several Lucerne Valley High School graduates to come back and serve the school district.
Classified- Lillian Thomason
Next, Mr. Livingston introduced Lillian Thomason, who was nominated by LVMHS Principal Nate Lambdin. “It is with great pleasure to announce this month's Classified Employee of the Month, Ms. Lillian Thomason. Lillian has done an exceptional job in the capacity as a ‘Lead’ for the highly regarded here at Lucerne Valley Unified School District this school year.
“Ms. Thomason has been instrumental in organizing and planning many of the recent improvement projects in the district. She uses exceptionally sound judgment when faced with difficult situations. Her confident-calm manner enables her to deal effectively with perplexing situations. Lillian is never swayed by appeals to emotionalism, but will always ensure that decisions be arrived at what is the over-all best for the district.
“Lillian treats all people in a friendly, equal manner and receives the same from each member of the M & O team. Department members respond well in her presence. Her effectiveness is reflected in the high level of accountability and production of the department.
Furthermore, Mr. Livingston said, Lillian possesses the following qualities of excellence: integrity, passion for helping, high standards, fairness, care in meeting the goals of the department, and commitment.
Pictured, from left, Superintendent Peter Livingston, Jessica Risler (board president), Tom Courtney (board member), Jacqueline Lopez, Lillian Thomason, Jason Hansen (board member), Jim Harvey (board member). Photo by Doug Beaton