In the midst of Valentine’s Day season, two more Riverside County educators were “feeling the love” after learning, in separate surprise visits, that they were selected as 2023 Riverside County Educators of the Year.
Michelle “Daphne” Donoho, a principal who creates a close-knit sense of community at Táawila Elementary School in Menifee, and Jeanine Wingfield, a Val Verde Unified School District security officer assigned to Rancho Verde High School in Moreno Valley, were joined by students, family, and colleagues, as Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez, delivered the official news of their awards.
Two more surprise visits are planned over the coming days and weeks. All honorees will be recognized at the 2023 Celebrating Educators Luncheon set for May 2, at the Riverside Convention Center.
Principal of the Year
Michelle “Daphne” Donoho has served as a principal for nearly 20 years—including as the first principal of Táawila Elementary School in the Menifee Union School District when it opened in 2018. At every school she has led, she has garnered state and national awards for school success. An emphasis on professional development for teachers has been key to the success for students at Táawila—including a focus on writing and literacy instruction.
“Only because of all of you—that is why this is happening today,” said Michelle “Daphne” Donoho, to staff members and the entire student body of nearly 750 students after being surprised with the news that she is the 2023 Riverside County Principal of the Year. “I appreciate every one of you, and we are all so lucky to work with the amazing teachers and staff here every day.”
“With over 515 schools in Riverside County, out of all those principals, we have only one that has been selected as the Principal of the Year. And, guess who that is?” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez, as he addressed the entire elementary school before the students responded enthusiastically by shouting the name of their principal, Mrs. Donoho.
Classified Employee of the Year
Jeanine Wingfield contributes far more to the students of Rancho Verde High School than what her title might signify as a district security officer. She is a leader on campus who consistently builds positive relationships with students, and seeks ways to connect with them for their benefit, and for that of the campus culture. Jeanine consistently contributes to underwriting the costs of prom tickets and caps and gowns for students who might not otherwise be able to participate, while supporting students with everything from a welcoming smile to a goodie bag of treats so they know they are “seen”.
“Thank you for allowing me to serve our community in this way. This job is the highest position we can have—to build a relationship with the community and the campus so that parents trust us with their students,” said Jeanine Wingfield shortly after being surprised with the news that she is the 2023 Riverside County Classified Employee of the Year. “I put in what I hope other people have put in for my kids. Thank you to the students for allowing me to serve you.”
“One of the most prominent ways Jeanine supports students and the community is by taking the initiative to serve as a resource beyond the role of a district security officer,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez. “She is collaborative and contributes to serving on the Culture and Climate Committee to serve the students and the campus.”
The full list of honorees and categories for the 2023 Riverside County Educators of the Year:
- Riverside County School Counselor of the Year: Hilda Jauregui-Castanon, School Counselor, Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Corona-Norco Unified School District
- Riverside County Certificated Administrator of the Year: Cassandra Willis, Director of Student and Family Support Services and Family Engagement, Corona-Norco Unified School District
- Riverside County Classified Administrator of the Year: Craig Petinak, Director of Public Relations and Communications Services, Riverside County Office of Education
- Riverside County Principal of the Year: Michelle “Daphne” Donoho, Principal, Táawila Elementary School, Menifee Union School District
- Riverside County Classified Employee of the Year: Jeanine Wingfield, District Security Officer II, Moreno Valley Unified School District
The Riverside County Educators of the Year are selected from the more than 36,000 educational employees in the county. The rigorous application process starts with nominations by teachers, classified employees, and school district administrators throughout the county. Applications are then submitted to the Riverside County Office of Education, where an outside selection committee selects the honorees before the county superintendent announcement.
Along with the 2023 Riverside County Teachers of the Year named previously, all 2023 Riverside County Educators of the Year will be honored at the Celebrating Educators Luncheon, set for Tuesday, May 2, at the Riverside Convention Center.
Clarification: The 2023 Riverside County Teachers of the Year were named in mid-2022 to align with the 2023 California State Teacher of the Year competition. The 2024 Riverside County Teachers of the Year will be announced in May/June of 2023 and will via for the 2024 California State Teacher of the Year award that will be named in the fall of 2023 by the California Department of Education and State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond.
2023 Riverside County Teachers of the Year (named in mid-2022):
- Autumn Lundblad, 1st Grade Teacher, Sundance Elementary School, Beaumont USD
- Heather Hanlon, Dance Teacher, Dorothy McElhinney Middle School, Murrieta Valley USD
- Anthony Gomez, Dual Language Immersion World/U.S., History Teacher, Jurupa Middle School, Jurupa USD
- Beth Schwandt, Music Teacher, Lake Hills Elementary School, Alvord USD