A communications director with a passion for helping to tell the success stories of the students and educators served by the Riverside County Office of Education had just finished running the mic around the Management Leadership Team meeting helping amplify the voices of colleagues sharing their celebrations when he was surprised by Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin Gomez announcing him as Riverside County Classified Administrator of the Year.
Although Craig Petinak was hired in 2013 as the first Riverside County Office of Education Director of Public Relations, his career as a professional communicator in education began at San Bernardino Valley College where he served as Director of Marketing and Public Relations from 2008-2013. Throughout his career, Mr. Petinak has held several leadership roles including Treasurer of the Public Relations Society of America-Inland Empire Chapter, Treasurer of the Community College Public Relations Organization, and a member of the National Council of Marketing and Public Relations. His passion for creative storytelling has led him to build an award-winning communications team at the Riverside County Office of Education.
“My team fulfills the communication needs of the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools and the programs and services of the Riverside County Office of Education while partnering with districts to amplify the stories of students and educators in all 23 districts throughout the county,” said Craig Petinak joined by his wife and daughter in front of the Riverside County Office of Education Management Leadership Team, moments after the surprise announcement. “I have had the honor of participating in hundreds of these presentations to my colleagues, and it is truly humbling to be on the receiving end of this special recognition. Thank you to everyone for trusting us with telling your stories.”
“Craig is very wise, diligent, and passionate about his work,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez. “He truly cares about the students in Riverside County, and that passion shines in his work.”
The full list of categories and honorees for the 2023 Riverside County Educators of the Year:
· Riverside County School Counselor of the Year
Hilda Jauregui-Castanon, School Counselor
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 Employee of the Year
Craig Petinak, Director of Public Relations and Communications Services
Riverside County Office of Education
· Riverside County Site Support Employee of the Year – TBD later in February
· Riverside County Classified Administrator of the Year – TBD later in February
· Riverside County Principal of the Year – TBD later in February
· Riverside County Confidential Employee of the Year – TBD later in February
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's 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.