The following employees were selected to receive the June Employee Excellence Awards and recognition at the June 2025 school board meeting.
Employees are recognized between October and June of each school year. Nominations are open to staff, students, parents and community members. Nominees are selected for recognition by a committee of their peers.
In addition to awardees chosen by the peer nomination and Excellence Awards committee voting process, the Board of Directors may recognize recipients who have been nominated by the Superintendent’s Cabinet for demonstrating exceptional leadership and dedication to VPS students and their families.
Victoria Bernal
Spanish Translator and Interpreter
Victoria Bernal, Spanish Translator and Interpreter, has served our families for over two decades. For many of our families, Victoria has been a constant, friendly presence – always making sure information and resources were not just available, but also genuinely understood, bridging gaps with her warmth and expertise. As one of her nominators shared, “Victoria is well loved among the families she serves and is known throughout the district for her professionalism, responsiveness and advocacy of our underserved and often marginalized students and families. If there is an evening event, Victoria is there, if there is an IEP meeting she is there. Victoria volunteered to organize and support a Spanish Spelling Bee at MAC and it was a huge success to encourage biliteracy and student growth. She is a true advocate for students and their families.” Victoria’s impact on our families has been immeasurable, and we wish her all the best as she enters retirement. Thank you, Victoria.
Travis Ellis
District Resource Officer
Travis Ellis, District Resource Officer, consistently demonstrates unwavering dedication and a profound commitment to the wellbeing of our students and staff. His impact is best captured by his nominator, who shared, “Travis’ presence is truly a gift to every building he supports. Always willing to step in when extra help is needed, Travis consistently goes above and beyond whether it’s covering school events, supporting athletic games, or simply being a reliable and reassuring presence in the hallways. He makes it a priority to greet students and staff with kindness, creating an atmosphere of safety and connection wherever he goes. In our building, his visits are always welcomed with excitement, students look forward to seeing him and truly enjoy the time he spends at our school. Travis brings a strong, steady presence that helps everyone feel secure, supported, and seen.” Thank you, Travis.
Carolyn Garton
Kindergarten Teacher at Roosevelt Elementary
Carolyn Garton, known to many as “Mrs. KinderGARTON,” is the heart and soul of Roosevelt Elementary’s Yellow Wing. As she prepares for retirement, we want to express our gratitude for her extraordinary dedication to our students, staff, and families over her 29 years at VPS.
Her impact on students is captured in one of her many nominations: “Her hard work and determination ensure every child in her classroom can succeed, regardless of life’s challenges. Have you ever heard a teacher repeat a ‘good morning’ song in three different languages with excellent pronunciation for multilingual children? Excuse me, make that four different languages, because she also signs it in ASL! Not many do! She is truly amazing and admired by all. If it were up to me, the definition of ‘extraordinary’ in the dictionary would simply be a picture of Carolyn Garton.” Thank you, Carolyn! We wish you a retirement as extraordinary and joyful as you are!
Steve Lorenz
Horticulture Teacher at Hudson’s Bay High School
For over three decades, Steve Lorenz, Horticulture Teacher at Hudson’s Bay, has been instrumental in helping students blossom, cultivating not just a love for horticulture but also essential life skills that extend far beyond the classroom. Steve’s teaching philosophy shines through in the way he empowers his students by fostering hands-on experiences that build confidence and real-world expertise. An example of this is the transformation of our annual plant sale. Over the years, this sale has grown into a thriving, community-wide event. Beyond just tending to plants, he coaches his students on interacting with the public, developing business skills, and discovering their own capabilities. As his nominator shared, “Every student feels they are part of this community and the students truly enjoy learning from Steve.” Thank you, Steve.
Stephanie Ongtooguk
Spanish Translator and Interpreter
We’re thrilled to recognize Stephanie Ongtooguk, one of our amazing Spanish Interpreters and Translators. As shared by her nominator, Stephanie’s work extends far beyond simply translating words. “Stephanie is an excellent interpreter, but she does so more than just thorough and accurate translation. She knows our students and families well, and builds relationships of trust over time. She is quick to reach out to check in with school administrators to raise areas of need or attention. She is a kind, tireless, and consistent partner. She is an advocate for our kids. It is clear that she genuinely cares about our students, families, and community. I really appreciate her knowledge and partnership. She often makes me aware of issues that might be bubbling up with individual families or in the community and is quick to recommend practical next steps to build better community partnerships.” Thank you, Stephanie.