Ramona Unified School District trustees and s honored staff and outgoing employees at a May 8 Recognition Ceremony.
Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Tony Newman introduced the honorees and gave a brief description of their service to more than 100 attendees.
“I’m thrilled to be able to recognize employees and teammates of the year as well as the retirees,” Newman said at the event held outside the district’s office before the regular school board meeting. “We appreciate all the employees for their dedication and service. On behalf of the district’s leadership I’d like to thank all of our employees. They’re great and we appreciate you. We’re so glad you chose Ramona Unified School District.”
Newman recognized the district’s Classified Employees of the Year at the start of the ceremony.
Hanson Elementary School Lead Custodian Miguel De La Torre, who has worked for the district since February 2021, and James Dukes Elementary School Lead Custodian Danielle Breshears, an employee since April 2021, were praised for their strong work ethic.
Newman said de la Torre “builds relationships with students and handles the occasional wildlife visitor” and Breshears has “made a lasting impact on students, family and staff and makes the students feel seen, valued and ed.”
Mt. Woodson Elementary School Lead Food Service staff member Margarita Madariaga Garcia, an employee since September 2022, was recognized as a dependable and efficient worker who brings joy while interacting with students.
Montecito High School Para-educator Lindsay Swanson, an employee since August 2015, was praised for her ion and dedication while serving with a cheerful and positive demeanor.
In the Maintenance and Operations Department, Groundskeeper Jose Martinez, an employee since February 2024, was highlighted for his dedication, effective communication, positive attitude and great sense of humor.
Transportation Department Diesel Technician David Dahlerup, an employee since July 2021, was appreciated for his hard work, positive can-do attitude and for being a team player.
Olive Peirce Middle School Special Education Para-educator Ashley Everard, an employee since December 2017, was recognized for her ability to deal with difficult and challenging situations while recognizing the uniqueness of each student.
Barnett Elementary School Transitional Kindergarten Para-educator Leticia Spicuzza, an employee since August 2019, was honored for creating a nurturing environment and for “making a difficult job seem doable” while leading with love and kindness.
Gina McManama, the district’s top Classified Employee of the Year in 2025, was also recognized during the ceremony. The computer technician in the Technology Services Department has worked for the district since August 2019.
Newman said McManama is both a teammate and a friend who serves with comion and a smile.
“She is known for always being kind and solution oriented,” Newman said. “She serves with dedication, expertise, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to excellence.”
Three other Classified Employees of the Year who did not attend the ceremony were Brooke Royden, a para-educator at Ramona Elementary School and district employee since October 2013; Jeremiah Majo, a computer lab assistant at Ramona Community Campus and district employee since October 2019; and Mike Pierce, a maintenance/delivery III staff person at the district office who worked for Ramona Unified since January 2004.
Ramona Unified’s Teachers of the Year in 2025 are the following:
Hanson Elementary fourth-grade teacher Suzanne Vanderlinde, an employee since January 1997
James Dukes Elementary School sixth-grade teacher Jennifer Keller, an employee since September 2022
Mt. Woodson Elementary fifth-grade teacher Amber Collier, an employee since August 2019
Ramona Elementary fifth-grade teacher Brianna Lombera, an employee since August 2019
Olive Peirce English Language Arts and English Language Development teacher Monica Tepozano, an employee since August 2019
Barnett Elementary fourth- and fifth-grade combo teacher Hayley Brinker, an employee since September 2021
Montecito High specialized academic instructor and physical education teacher Joshua McCrohan, an employee since August 2021
Program Specialist Candace Jarman, an employee since August 2021.
Donald Wiseman, the district’s top Teacher of the Year in 2025, is an elementary music teacher who has worked at Ramona Unified since May 2018.
Newman said Wiseman greets students with enthusiasm and inspires them to be creative and express themselves. Wiseman is always courteous and professional, he added.
One other Teacher of the Year who was unable to attend the Recognition Ceremony was James Grizzle, a social science teacher at Ramona High School who had worked for the district since August 2022.
Additionally, district leaders recognized the 2025 of the Year Robin Arend. The director of Students & Learning Services has worked for the district since June 2000.
The retirements of numerous Classified and Certificated employees were also announced.
These include bus driver Christie Torres, who ed the district in 2008; THRIVE Program site lead Anna Berger-Graham, who ed the district in February 2009; and Ramona High health technician Mary York, who ed the district in September 1998. Other retiring Classified employees not in attendance are bus drivers Karen Sanders and Patricia Martenson, and lead maintenance staff Robert Finley.
Retiring Certificated staff include Olive Peirce Middle School specialized academic Instructor Laura Kitchen, who ed the district in August 2006; Ramona Elementary second grade teacher Kelly Conroy, who ed the district in September 1985; Ramona Elementary third grade teacher Sandra Jimenez, who ed the district in September 2004; Hanson Elementary fourth grade teacher Suzanne Vanderlinde, who ed the district in January 1997; and Teacher-on-Special-Assignment Edie Chapman, who ed the district in August 1989.
Two longtime school s were recognized near the close of the evening ceremony.
Newman said Human Resources Executive Assistant Elena Apodaca-Garcia, an employee since September 1987, served with ion, dedication and always presented Ramona Unified in the best light.
“She was the backbone of the HR Department and oftentimes was the first with employees,” Newman said. “She treated new employees with kindness and professionalism.”
Retiring Ramona High Principal Antoinette Rodriguez, who worked for the district as a PE teacher, teacher-on-assignment, assistant principal and principal since August 1994, exemplified the Bulldog spirit, he said.
“She has been a beacon of goodness over 30 years at Ramona Unified School District,” Newman said. “She led with heart, ion and perseverance. She was steady, consistent and oftentimes brilliant.”
