More than 40 teachers were honored recently for making the grade as newly tenured teachers. The District held its annual ‘Tenure Tea’ reception at the Education Service and Support Center to recognize teachers who made it through a rigorous screening process.
“They earned tenure because of their performance, because of their contribution to student achievement, to their grade level team, and to their school’s success,” said Sandra Villegas-Zúñiga, Asst. Superintendent for Human Resources Services and Support.
The teachers also had something else in common. After a careful review of STAR data for Grades 2-6 and Local Measures data for Kindergarten and Grade 1, 75 percent or more of their students: (1) Either scored at Proficient and Advanced levels in English/Language Arts and Mathematics, or (2) Met end-of-year criteria for Local Measures Reading, Writing, and Math. Such teachers are known as “75% gainer” teachers in CVESD.
“They are not only responsible for strong student achievement, but they also have the leadership capactiy to be an integral part of their grade-level team, and they helped lead their school to greatness,” Villegas-Zúñiga added.
| NAME | DEPARTMENT/SCHOOL |
| Maria P. Adargas | Pupil Services (Feaster) |
| Christina N. Arauz | Otay |
| Maria E. Arjona | Veterans |
| Brenda Bernachi-Aguilera | Liberty |
| Craig S. Best | Juarez-Lincoln |
| Daniela L. Camacho | Pupil Services (Veterans) |
| Margaret S. Cannon | Arroyo Vista Charter |
| Nancy J. Cavanah | Rice |
| Nicolas W. Cerney | Pupil Services (Kellogg) |
| Veronica Cordova | Vista Square |
| Cathy J. Cosio | Wolf Canyon |
| Sophia E. Coston | Tiffany |
| Elisha M. Cowen | Kellogg |
| M. Antonia de Jerez | Sunnyside |
| Brandi H. Denn | Arroyo Vista Charter |
| Jennifer Desiderio | Lauderbach |
| Laurel D. Douglas | Hilltop |
| Michele M. Esposito | Lauderbach |
| Melissa Familiar | Montgomery |
| Vera R. Gallagher | Montgomery |
| Audra M. Hackett | Arroyo Vista Charter |
| Kelly R. Johnston | Pupil Services (Rice) |
| Linda M. Kucinski | Instructional Services (Casillas/Chula Vista Hills) |
| Ellen Lam | Castle Park |
| Pamela S. Landy | Cook |
| Yvonne Langarica | Arroyo Vista Charter |
| Eileen M. Loyola | Tiffany |
| Beatriz E. Manriquez | Arroyo Vista Charter |
| Jonathan P. Morello | Hilltop |
| Alicia M. Myer | Silver Wing |
| Rebecca L. Noble | Rogers |
| Vanessa A. Praggastis | Liberty |
| Jenna L. Redman | Arroyo Vista Charter |
| Heather L. Robertson | Arroyo Vista Charter |
| Jennifer D. Romo | Harborside |
| Nadia S. Shimotsu | Pupil Services (McMillin) |
| Rebecca I. Sigmund | Vista Square |
| Monica B. Smith | Los Altos |
| Ashley M. Vasquez | Finney |
| Azucena C. Velazquez | Montgomery |
| Judy G. Vera | Salt Creek |
| Erin J. Wilcox | Harborside |
