The board on March 22 announced the...

The board on March 22 announced the latest Quest for Excellence

quarterly school and district employee recognitions.

Laguna Beach High School principal Nancy Blade honored Jill

Edwards, the athletic financial clerk. Edwards will be retiring in

June. Blade said she has been integral to the school and has been

responsible for helping keep them in the black.

Norma Shelton, assistant superintendent for business operations,

honored Karyn Varro. Varro started as a temporary employee in

accounts payable. She later accepted permanent employment as the

construction accountant. Now that the construction projects are

nearing an end, she will be working as a budget analyst.

El Morro Elementary School principal Chris Duddy honored

second-grade teacher Debbie Finnerty.

“She is continually helping our organization improve and is an

unsung hero in the teaching profession,” Duddy said. “She’s gone

above and beyond as a teacher and is a real asset.”

Thurston Middle School principal Joanne Culverhouse recognized

sixth- and seventh-grade social studies teacher Michelle Martinez.

“Michelle Martinez is a valuable member of the Thurston staff and

she contributes greatly to the social studies department,”

Culverhouse said. “She also has a great amount of expertise with the

professional learning community; we are relying on her expertise.”

Top of the World Elementary School principal Ron La Motte

recognized second-grade teacher Linda Barker. She has been employed

at the district for 21 years and recently received her master’s

degree in public school administration.

School Board Member Betsy Jenkins was honored March 8 at the 3rd

annual “Women Making a Difference in Orange County.”