CUSD honors employees for their work in a school year like no other

By Lou Ponsi

Resiliency, creativity, flexibility and patience.

These are a few of the character traits needed by Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) employees in order to make it through what has been an unprecedented school year.

Whether a teacher, bus driver, custodian or cashier, not only have CUSD certificated and classified employees gotten through the year, they’ve done it exceedingly well.

Teachers and employees give a fist bump to Board President Judy Bullockus, Superintendent Kirsten Vital Brulte and Administrators during the CUSD Employee of the Year Celebration at Capistrano Unified School District headquarters.
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

So for the certificated and classified personnel who were nominated for employee of the year awards for 2020-21, the recognition is arguably more meaningful.

Even the award ceremony itself, usually held in one of the district’s high school theaters packed with families and friends, had to be reimagined.

The awards ceremony was held May 26, 2021, in the parking lot of the Capistrano Unified School District office.

Festivities were spread out throughout the day in order to accommodate all the family members and friends wanting to celebrate the 500 Employee of the Year nominees.

*Capistrano Unified Superintendent Kirsten Vital Brulte gives a congratulatory fist bump during the CUSD Employee of the Year Celebration at Capistrano Unified School District headquarters.*
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

Of the nominees, one Teacher of the Year was named for each elementary, middle and high school category and one classified Employee of the Year was named in each of six categories.

“This is much different because of the restrictions but we still wanted to make sure we recognized all the employees especially after the year we’ve had,” said Ryan Burris, Chief Communications Officer for the district.

Bus driver Elizabeth Gustafson, who was named Transportation Employee of the Year, has been on her current route for four years.

“I’ll probably never retire now because these kids mean so much to me,” said Gustafson, who praised her entire department.

“Our administrators and supervisors, mechanics, clerical, dispatch … There is not anyone who does not help,” Gustafson said. “There is such togetherness. Everybody deserves part of this.”

*A big “Thank You” greets honorees as they arrive for the CUSD Employee of the Year Celebration at Capistrano Unified School District headquarters.*
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

Erica Arreola expressed gratitude for being named Employee of the Year in the Para-Educator and Instructional Assistance category. As a para-educator in the adult transition program, Arreola works with young adults ages 18 to 22.

“I love teaching them something and seeing the joy that they get to learn something,” Arreola said.

Marguerite Westling, an English teacher at San Clemente High School, was named High School Teacher of the Year for 2021.

Westling, who has spent 34 years with the district — all of them at San Clemente — received the award in February and still feels overwhelmed.

“I just feel really proud to be part of the San Clemente community and a part of San Clemente High School,” Westling said. “I really respect the teachers that I work with. The teachers, the staff, the administrators. Everyone is super supportive.”

Teachers and employees take a congratulations walk past school district administrators and Board of Trustees during the CUSD Employee of the Year Celebration at Capistrano Unified School District headquarters.
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

Kelly Heard, who was named Teacher of the Year for Marblehead Elementary School, said 2020-21 has been one of the most difficult of her 19 years as a teacher.

“It’s a double to have survived and influenced the littles of the world and kept them healthy and clean and with a positive mindset,” Heard said.

Heard gets the most joy from making her students laugh and watching them have “those lightbulb moments.”

But in the year of the coronavirus pandemic, Heard said she misses the hugs.

“I really love hugging them,” she said.