Jefferson Elementary School Office Assistant Named San Diego County Classified Employee Of The Year

Press release from the Carlsbad Unified School District:

March 26, 2021

Carlsbad Unified School District is excited to announce that Ofelia Lopez-Villamar, school office assistant at Jefferson Elementary, has been selected by the San Diego County Office of Education as the 2021 San Diego County Classified School Employee of the Year. She is now a candidate for California Classified School Employee of the Year honors in the clerical and administrative occupational specialty category.

In addition to Ofelia’s regular office duties, she helps families learn how to navigate the educational system. She translates documents, helps with appointments, and teaches families how to use technology. She also helps ensure that all the COVID-19 protocols are in place.

Ofelia attended Jefferson Elementary as a child and still lives in the neighborhood where the school is. She has built strong relationships with the families in the Carlsbad community and they frequently comment on her dedication, efficiency, confidentiality, and support.

In the nomination materials, Principal Carla Bos wrote, “I have witnessed firsthand the contributions she makes to Jefferson on a daily basis. I also hear the consistent praise and compliments she receives, as many of them are shared with me.”

San Diego County Office of Education Superintendent Paul Gothold wrote “Ofelia and all of her fellow nominees work tirelessly on behalf of San Diego County's children. They truly are the hidden heroes of education, playing key roles in the day-to-day functions of schools and districts. Congratulations to all the district nominees and especially to Ofelia for this well-deserved honor.”

Carlsbad Unified School District offers congratulations and thanks to all of our school-nominated Classified Employees of the year:

Chelsea Morris, Health Technician, Aviara Oaks Elementary

Larnelle Hazelwood, School Admin. Asst. Secondary/Guidance Tech I, Aviara Oaks Middle

Michelle Keith, Instructional Asst., Special Education, Buena Vista Elementary

Theresa Green, Health Technician, Calavera Hills Elementary

Karen Evans, Instructional Asst., Special Education, Calavera Hills Middle

Irene Zlotnicki, School Admin. Asst./AP, Carlsbad High School

Amber Arcidiacono, Inst. Asst. Special Education/BI, Hope Elementary

Ofelia Villamar-Lopez, School Office Assistant, Jefferson Elementary (CUSD Classified Employee of the Year)

LeeAnn Rebelo, Instr. Asst. Special Education, Kelly Elementary

Abel Morales, Custodian, Magnolia Elementary

Patrice Simpson, Library Media Technician, Pacific Rim Elementary

Elizabeth Meyer, Health Technician, Poinsettia Elementary

Glenda Harris, Health Technician, Sage Creek High School

Emily Hardy, Library Media Technician, Valley Middle School

This press release was produced by the Carlsbad Unified School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.