Introducing San Juan Unified’s 2026 Classified Employees of the Year

San Juan Unified School District is honored to announce the 2026 Classified Employees of the Year. These outstanding staff members were nominated by our San Juan Unified community for their incredible contributions in supporting the success of our students.

Learn more about the nine honorees below. (Honorees are listed in alphabetical order by last name.)

Debbie Armstrong, Nutrition Services Cook at Del Campo High School

Armstrong’s dedication to student wellness and nutrition at Del Campo High School is seen in everything she does. As a cook, she consistently finds ways to improve and innovate, ensuring students have access to meals that support their health and success. Her genuine care for students shines through in the pride she takes in her work each day.

Armstrong’s nominator described her strong work ethic. “Into her seventh decade, she still runs circles around the staff she works with and is a positive example for the staff and students she takes care of,” said her nominator.

Through her continued passion, reliability and student-centered approach, Armstrong’s contributions help create a welcoming and supportive environment where students are nourished and cared for.

William Dreifus, Technology Support Specialist for Technology Services

Since 2017, Dreifus has played an integral role in supporting requests submitted to Technology Services. His consistent reliability and responsiveness have earned the trust of San Juan Unified staff, who often refer to him as their “go-to” resource for technical support.

“He ensures all admin staff receive professional and timely support to minimize downtime,” shared his nominator. “He does this by not only taking on incidents that are escalated to the non-instructional team, but he also actively scans new incidents coming into the Support Desk.”

While primarily assigned to support non-instructional staff, Dreifus regularly goes above and beyond his core responsibilities. From proactively addressing incoming support needs to providing audio/visual training for staff, his commitment helps keep teams connected, informed and running smoothly.

Joseph Lausmann, Operations Technician for Transportation

Lausmann’s commitment to service during these past nine years has made a lasting impact across San Juan Unified. As his nominator shared, “When he first started at transportation, he was outstanding when caring for students with special needs, not just driving them, but truly taking care of them.” 

That same student-centered mindset has followed him throughout his career. After stepping into a technician role, Lausmann continued to ensure that every request from teachers and staff was handled with care and urgency.

Cortney Lloret, Instructional Assistant, Alternative Learning Center at Meraki High School

Lloret brings professionalism, positivity and exceptional skill to her role as an instructional assistant at Meraki High School. Widely recognized as the organizational backbone of the school, she keeps complex projects, calendars and daily logistics running smoothly while anticipating the needs of both students and staff. 

Lloret’s impact is especially visible in the mini-maker/creator space she designed and manages. After independently mastering equipment such as the 3D printer, laser cutter, Cricut, T-shirt printer and embroidery machine, she now guides students through hands-on projects with patience and clarity. 

“She is the type of person who looks at the workplace and asks herself what can be done to make this a better learning environment for students, and she does all that with a demeanor of friendliness and positivity, which lifts everyone's spirits,” shared her nominator.

Mikalai Lutsyk, Lead Custodian at Grand Oaks Elementary School

Lutsyk has served as lead custodian for seven years and is widely recognized for his strong work ethic, professionalism and deep pride in his school community. Known for his kindness and steady presence, he manages daily requests with efficiency, a positive attitude and a gentle sense of humor, even during unexpected challenges.

“He chooses to work at most of our events beyond school hours and it is so wonderful to have a familiar face for our community,” his nominator said. “He exemplifies professionalism and excellence and is an ideal model for custodial work performance.”

In addition to his custodial leadership, he assists Slavic students and families with translation and orientation when needed, helping strengthen connections between the school and community. Despite the challenges of maintaining the campus, Lutsyk ensures the physical environment reflects excellence and care, fostering pride and a positive atmosphere for all who walk through the doors.

Omar Marroquin, School Community Specialist at Encina High School 

For nearly a decade at Encina High School, Marroquin has served as a dedicated school community specialist, building strong, meaningful relationships with students, staff and families. In addition to his role supporting the school community, he coaches five different sports throughout the year, further deepening his connection with students both in and out of the classroom.

Marroquin plays a key role in organizing events such as food drives, toy drives and student field trips, helping ensure students have access to meaningful experiences and essential resources. Through partnerships with community organizations, he has also helped bring programs to campus that foster leadership development and expand opportunities for students.

“It is with the highest honor that I nominate Omar Marroquin for Classified Employee of the Year,” his nominator shared. “His work embodies San Juan Unified’s 8-Point Commitment and reflects a deep dedication to improving the lives of our students and families.”

Peter McGuinness, Lead Electrician for Maintenance and Operations 

For more than 16 years, McGuinness has been a dependable and highly skilled member of San Juan Unified’s Maintenance and Operations team. As lead electrician, he brings deep technical expertise, steady leadership and a consistent positive attitude to his work each day

“He approaches his work with professionalism, pride and a strong sense of responsibility. He is someone who can always be counted on to get the job done and to get it done right,” his nominator shared. “Whether completing his daily responsibilities or stepping in to assist with tasks outside his regular duties, he is always willing to go the extra mile without hesitation or complaint.”

McGuinness communicates clearly and effectively with his team to ensure projects are completed safely, efficiently and with minimal disruption to school sites. His commitment to excellence helps keep our campuses running smoothly and supports a safe learning environment for students and staff alike.

Joanne McLaughlin Strauch, Site Secretary at Earl LeGette Elementary School

Strauch is a valued member of the Earl LeGette Elementary School community, known for her exceptional work performance, leadership and dedication to students, families and staff. Her contributions have made a meaningful impact at her school site and across San Juan Unified.

She approaches every responsibility with accuracy, efficiency and care, from maintaining clear communication with families to managing the school marquee and contributing to newsletters. Strauch also created an organized information hub that has streamlined access to resources and strengthened schoolwide communication. Her leadership extends to coordinating the annual Giving Tree program, ensuring families in need receive support during the holiday season.

“She consistently goes above and beyond to support our students, families and staff,” her nominator said. “Her professionalism, compassion and attention to detail make her an invaluable part of our school community,” exemplifying the very best of what the Classified Employee of the Year distinction represents.

Jamileh Piran, Health Instructional Assistant for Health Services

Each day, Piran makes a meaningful difference in the lives of students and families at the Ralph Richardson Center. Her dedication and compassion are especially impactful for families of students with severe disabilities who are new to the school and often new to the country.

Piran builds strong, trusting relationships with parents, helping them understand the specialized health care services their children receive at school. She translates critical medical information into Farsi/Dari, ensuring families fully understand procedures, care plans and any health concerns. Beyond translation, she provides reassurance and guidance to families who may feel overwhelmed navigating a new education system while caring for a child with complex needs.

“She is a bridge for many of these families,” her nominator shared. “She goes above and beyond and is a shining light for all our families.”