LVES teacher Elena Montanez and food services team member Joei Miller were recognized as Employees of the Month during the Thursday, October 10th meeting. Pictured, from left, are Superintendent Peter Livingston, school board members Tom Courtney and Jessica Risler, teacher Elena Montanez, food staffer Joei Miller, school board president Chelsea LaGrange, school board vice-president Jason Hansen and school board member Jim Harvey. Photo by Olga Fisher
New teacher at the Elementary School Elena Montañez and food services team member Joei Miller were named Employees of the Month for October at the October 10th meeting of the Lucerne Valley Unified School District’s Board of Trustees.
Superintendent Peter Livingston made the presentations and quoted administrators who nominated Elena and Joei.
Certificated - Elena Montanez
“We are thrilled to announce Elena Montanez or Mrs. Monty as Lucerne Valley Elementary Employee of the Month! Joining us mid-year last year, she took on a particularly challenging class and quickly transformed it into a well-managed learning environment—an impressive feat for a brand-new teacher. This year, despite facing new challenges, she handles each situation with remarkable grace and poise, all while maintaining her smile. It’s heartwarming to see the strong bonds she has built with her students, even those who can be the most challenging. Their sweet words often bring her to tears, showcasing the deep connections she fosters in her classroom. Mrs. Monty embodies the spirit of our school, and we are incredibly grateful for her dedication and passion! Her admin team is very sad to miss seeing her awarded the honor of employee of the month. We are so lucky to have her on our team, and our students are even luckier to have her as their teacher. Congratulations Mrs. Monty!”
Classified - Joei Miller
“We are thrilled to recognize Joei Miller as our Classified Employee of the Month for her outstanding work and dedication in the Food Services department. From the very start of the year, Mrs. Miller has consistently gone above and beyond, especially during a time when we faced significant staffing shortages. Despite the challenges that came with being short-handed, she remained positive, hardworking, and resilient.
“What sets Mrs. Miller apart is her unwavering ability to handle every situation with grace and a smile. No matter how difficult the circumstances, she never complains and always approaches each task with a can-do attitude. Her optimism is contagious, making her not only a valuable team member but also a joy to work with.
“In addition to her stellar work ethic, Mrs. Miller embodies the true spirit of teamwork. She is always willing to lend a hand, support her colleagues, and help ensure that everything runs smoothly in the kitchen. Her selfless approach and dedication to her role have earned her the respect and admiration of everyone around her.
“Thank you, Mrs. Miler for your exceptional service, your positive attitude, and your dedication to excellence. You are an inspiration to us all, and we are grateful to have you on our team!”