Like any large organization, a school district operates at its best when employees connect with and understand one another. There is no better way to do that then through shared experiences to build camaraderie. In partnership with the Capistrano School Employees Association (CSEA), CUSD revived the Capistrano Appreciates Certificated Employees (CACE) program in spring 2024, where managers shadowed classified employees for a day. The second term of CACE was held this fall, and there was a reception for the participants on Dec. 9.
The program was entirely voluntary, with 33 managers and 33 classified employees participating. The managers spent time shadowing paraeducators, food service professionals, maintenance and operations workers, skilled tradesmen, nurses and more.
See the full list of participants and photos from their experiences below.
| Classified Employee | Title/Position | School/Department | Partner | Partner Department/School |
| Robin Meyer | Para Educator IV | Castille Elementary | Erika Berg | Assistant Principal, Dana Hills |
| Lucy Nelson | Guidance Technician | Don Juan Avila Middle School | Susan Carlisle | Manager II, HRS |
| Kathy Herritt | Guidance Technician | Marco Forster/Ladera Ranch MS | Chris Brown | Superintendent |
| Kimberly Currie | Para Educator V | Las Flores TK-8 | Molly Thoman | Transportation Operations Supervisor |
| Laura Sexton | Para Educator III | Moulton Elementary | Jennifer Smalley | Assistant Superintendent |
| Rebecca “Becky” Wismer | Para Educator III | Laguna Niguel Elementary | Michelle Benham | Administrator, Data and Assessment in TIS |
| Paola Trumbly | Bilingual Community Liaison | Fred Newhart Middle School | Clint Collins | Assistant Superintendent |
| Lisa Flotho | Preschool Teacher Site Facilitator | Hidden Hills Elementary/ECP | Brad Baker | Principal, San Clemente |
| Lata Guia | Para Educator III | Laguna Niguel Elementary | Karen Scott | Director II, TIS |
| Patty Wilcox | Para Educator III | Clarence Lobo Elementary | John Bajorek | Assistant Principal, Dana Hills |
| Michelle Enriquez | IOA/Sped Records | Sped/District Office | Ashley Ortiz | Assistant Principal, Dana Hills |
| Josephine Walberg | Para Educator IV | Adult Transition Programs | Jill O’Connell Bogle | Exec Director, HRS |
| Colleen Puthuff | Para Educator V | Moulton Elementary | Steve Bryant | Activities Director, Capo Valley |
| Tiffany Kane | Para Educator III | ECC Special education | Greg Hauser | Principal , Esencia |
| Wendy Nguyen | Campus Supervisor | Don Juan Avila Middle School | Gretchen Fleming | Principal, Concordia |
| Carolina Bartolini | Para Educator IV | San Clemente High School | Brad Shearer | Assistant Superintendent |
| Taylor Perue | Custodian Temp2 | George White Elementary | Cary Johnson | Assistant Superintendent |
| Jen Moffroid | Library Media Technician | San Clemente High School | Amanda Bacopulos | Coordinator II, ESS |
| Kara Pyper | Para Educator II | Vista del Mar TK-8 | Bob Presby | Associate Superintendent, HRS |
| Olga Devitt | Office Manager | Fred Newhart Middle School | Greg Merwin | Associate Superintendent, ESS |
| Janine Lewis | Office Manager | John Malcom Elementary | Laura Lyon | Assistant Superintendent, HRS |
| Ashley Demien | Account Clerk III | Business Services/District Offices | Kevin Marron | Supervisor, Custodial Service |
| Ashley Focht | Mental Health and Behavior Support Specialist | Truman Benedict Elementary | Rachelle Sakemi | Coordinator II, Early Childhood Programs |
| Valerie. A Rigg | Para Educator IV | ECC Special education | Darrin Jindra | Executive Director, Safety & Student Services |
| Georgina Gingarelli De tela | Para Educator I – TK | Oak Grove Elementary | Gila Jones | Trustee |
| Christina | Para Educator II | Fred Newhart Middle School | Albert Jeung | Coordinator, ESS |
| Irma Findeisen | Bilingual Para Educator IV | Fred Newhart Middle School | Andrew Klinkenberg | Principal, Tijeras Creek |
| Ekaterina Gomez | Campus Supervisor | Aliso Niguel High School | Christina Giguiere | Executive Director, HRS |
| Vicci Dumler | Para Educator V | San Juan Hills High School | Omero Corral | Coordinator II, ESS |
| Mary Ellen Barrett | Para Educator IV | ECC Special education | Guadalupe Manzanilla Abreu | Principal, San Juan Elementary |
| Linda Haddock | Para Educator IV | Adult Transition Programs | Dave Stewart | Assistant Superintendent |
| Perla Gonzalez | Kitchen Technician | Viejo Elementary | Clark Hampton | Deputy Superintendent, Business and Support Services |
