2026 Fresno School Champion Awards
Sign up for our newsletter to make sure you never miss an update!
Click here to read this blog in Spanish!
Every successful school has a dynamic support team that helps take care of our young people. Our 2026 Fresno School Champion Awards celebrated many of those unique roles on school campuses, honoring 23 champions across 17 job categories. Without them, our schools would not be the same!
I would like to introduce you to our School Champion Award Winners!
| BRIEANNA PACE | Classroom Aid | DUNCAN |
| Dr. Deshunna Monay Ricks | Program Manager | Fresno Unified-Advancing Academic Acceleration and Achievement |
| Eileen Jane Giron | Crossing Guard | Safe2School |
| Estela Acebedo Gonzalez | Mental Health Clinician | Andrew Jackson Elementary in Selma |
| Jacqueline Renteria | School Social Worker | Washington Union High School |
| Jaqueline Huerta | School translators | Interprete |
| Jasmin Ahmed | Paraprofessional | Pyle Elementary |
| Jerahmy Brashears | Paraprofessional | Pyle Elementary School |
| Jesus Gonzalez | Afterschool staff | Wawona middle school |
| Jesus Villegas | Crossing Guard | Mendota Elementary |
| Laqusha Locke | CBO Partner that trains Literacy Mentors for schools | Ayer Jackson Lowell Pyle Robinson SBA Wolters Addams Columbia King Lincoln Sunset |
| Lisa Duggon | Paraprofessional | Mendota Elementary School |
| Maria Fraga | Paraprofessional | Mendota High School |
| Monique Reyna | Senior Program Specialist – Ram Housing | Fresno City College |
| OLGA VELASQUEZ | Crossing Guard | MENDOTA ELEMENTARY |
| Otilia Sanchez | Yard Supervisor, Crossing Guard: NTA ( Noon Time Assistant ) | Williams Elementary |
| Rima Maldonado | Community Schools Coordinator | Pyle Elementary School |
| Shauntel Saunders | School Speech Therapist | Pyle Elementary School |
| Sierra Navarrete | AmeriCorps Tutor: K-3 Math Tutor | West Fresno Elementary |
| Summer Gaston-Gehris | Principal | King Elementary- Fresno Unified |
| Sylvia Banuelos | Paraprofessional | Pyle Elementary |
| Vanessa Zepada | Bus Driver | Mendota Unified School District |
| VONTE COFIELD | Autisim Inclusion Teacher: 7&8th Paraprofessional | terrones middle school |
We have one last award recipient who received more than one nomination! Our grand prize award goes to…
Eileen Jane Giron, a Crossing Guard from Safe2School!
Congratulations and thank you to all of our School Champions for all you do to help and support your school community and make FUSD proud!