Poway Unified Announces 2023 'PUSD Classified Employees of the Year'

(San Diego, CA) – The Poway Unified School District (PUSD) is proud to announce that Edward Wicburg, School Bus Driver; Gloria Tran, Attendance and Discipline Administrative Specialist; and Jennifer Nguyen, Food and Nutrition Specialist at Westview High School have all been chosen as the PUSD Classified Employees of the Year for 2023.

The selection of the District Classified Employees of the Year is based on job performance, dedication to the community, and contributions to PUSD. A committee comprised of District and school site representatives are responsible for the selection.

Edward Wicburg, School Bus Driver, Transportation Department

Edward, or Ed as his colleagues know him as, is a dedicated, diligent, and conscientious employee with an enviable work ethic. Not only does he excel in his endeavors as a leader, but he mentors others to do the same.

Ed has been a part of Poway Unified for 8 years and within months of becoming a permanent member of the team, became a Delegated Behind the Wheel Trainer. In this role, Ed is responsible for teaching and modeling what it means to be a School Bus Driver to new trainees, helping them recognize their strengths and shortcomings, and effectively preparing them to succeed in their new role.

Many in the Transportation Department have come to know Ed as the ‘quintessential good neighbor’ for his willingness to serve a need. Whether this is taking on additional routes to run, meeting another bus to assist with elevated student behavior, transporting students otherwise stranded on a non-operable bus, or ensuring that his Transportation coworkers have the information or insight they need to ensure safe transport of students new to them, Ed offers his experience, knowledge, and teaching ability to create a better team in support of students.

Gloria Tran, Administrative Specialist, Attendance and Discipline Department

Gloria has been in her position for 5 years and in that time has become the go-to person for both District office personnel and school sites. She exemplifies professionalism while maintaining kindness and compassion when communicating to parents, students, and staff. Her leadership is paramount to the success of collaborative projects across departments.

Not only is Gloria committed to her responsibilities as an employee, but she is also committed to giving back to those around her by volunteering her time to many committees both inside and outside of Poway Unified. Within the district, she is serving her second year on the PUSD District Equity Advisory Committee and is a motivating force behind the District Wellness Team. Outside of the district, her work in the community has garnished her the honor of Woman of the Year and Citizen of the Year in previous years by local organizations and officials.

Throughout her time in PUSD Gloria has gone above and beyond to ensure that a supportive, equitable, and inclusive work environment is provided for her department as well as others. She exudes positivity and completes every task efficiently, effectively, and with the students’ best interest in mind.

Jennifer Nguyen, Food and Nutrition Assistant II, Westview High School

Jennifer first joined the Food and Nutrition Department in 2016 as a substitute foodservice worker and within her first six months of being hired became certified as a Food Safety Manager. Now, seven years later, Jennifer is an integral part of the Food and Nutrition team at Westview High School. She has served at the elementary, middle, and high school levels where her friendly, affirming nature and dedication to learning student names quickly make her a student favorite. On her previous campus, lunch participation increased by 10% due in large part to her welcoming demeanor and initiative to get to know every child.

At a time when foodservice staffing is a challenge, team players like Jennifer are a true asset to the Food and Nutrition Department. Jennifer completes her own responsibilities diligently and immediately looks for ways to help her team afterwards. She often is the first to offer to travel to other school sites to fill a need, and completes each task – from food preparation to end-of-day paperwork – with efficiency and joy.

In addition to her care and service to students in the cafeteria, Jennifer is also involved on PUSD campuses as a parent and volunteer. She volunteers in the classroom and after-school, where she provides art classes and supports her daughter’s swim team. Whether she’s serving students in the kitchen, classroom, or elsewhere, she does so with excellence and kindness. She makes an impact on those around her and values her role and responsibilities.

2023 Poway Unified School Site and Department Classified Employees of the Year

Congratulations to all of our site and department classified employees who represent the best of #TeamPUSD:

Abraxas High School	Kim Matsuo
Adobe Bluffs Elementary School	Cheryl Klopstein
Bernardo Heights Middle School	Rebecca MacGowan
Black Mountain Middle School	Connie Hunt
Canyon View Elementary School	Grace Umbenhaur
Career Technical, Adult	Alexis Knapek
Chaparral Elementary School	Jessica Rasoul
Connect Academy	Melissa Van Tassel
Creekside Elementary School	Sunny Hwang
Deer Canyon Elementary School	Pete Schwaab
Del Norte High School	Shari Smith
Del Sur Elementary School	Gabriela Olszewska
DO - Finance	Ilona Kerr
DO - FM&O & Planning	Kari Zipp
DO - LSS, Attendance & Discipline	Gloria Tran*
DO - Payroll	Belsy Gonzalez
DO - Preschool	Shahnaz Riazati
DO - PSS	Mercie Gibson
DO - SPED	Nancy Brundrett
DO - Tech & Innovation	Micki Krupinski
ESS	Meghan Stralo
Food & Nutrition Department	Jennifer Nguyen*
Garden Road Elementary School	Jose Gonzalez
Highland Ranch Elementary School	Shalaka Bhosale
Los Peñasquitos Elementary School	Virginia Gaters
Meadowbrook Middle School	Adriana Gonzalez
Mesa Verde Middle School	Denise Garrett
Midland Elementary School	Veena Deshpande
Monterey Ridge Elementary School	Jose Gonzales
Morning Creek Elementary School	Jaimee Gopen
Mt. Carmel High School	Wayman Yeldell
Oak Valley Middle School	Sudhadevi Murugesan
Painted Rock Elementary School	Jan Adams
Pomerado Elementary School	Rosario Hansen
Poway High School	Deanna Oulela
Rancho Bernardo High School	Lynn Nakagawa
Rolling Hills Elementary School	Kim Garcia
Shoal Creek Elementary School	Christine Johnson
Stone Ranch Elementary School	Zohreh Mesri
Sundance Elementary School	Mary Brister
Superintendent	Margaret Godman
Tierra Bonita Elementary School	Misa Rudge
Transportation Department	Edward Wicburg*
Turtleback Elementary School	Sharon Athon
Twin Peaks Middle School	Dan Fox
Valley Elementary School	Niurka Diaz
Westview High School	Jennalyn Rose
Westwood Elementary School	Robert Haluag
Willow Grove Elementary	Holly Rhubottom

*Indicates District Level Classified Employee of the Year