At the recent Council meeting, members of the Colton City Council recognized (17) teachers from the Colton Joint Unified School District, and proclaimed June 3 as Teacher Appreciation Day. As Dr.G read their names, he also presented each of them with a certificate from the Council, and talked about their
current teaching assignment and years of service. Represented were teachers working in different subject areas at both the high school and elementary school levels.
The teacher appreciation recognition program was created in 2019 by Dr.G and established by proclamation by the City Council as an official day to recognize the valuable and important service that these professionals have in the life and education of our Colton children. With this goal in mind, these seventeen local teachers were selected on the basis of their record of success, reputation with their students, and their service to the school. In attendance were all seventeen teachers, along with several spouses, friends, colleagues as well as members of the public who were in attendance.
The recipients of this recognition were as follows;
Abigail Abba – teacher of ELA/ELD Sp.Ed. at Colton High, has taught 4 years.
Stacey Baker – teacher of English at Colton High, has taught 30 years.
Chris Barta – teacher of Welding at Colton High, has taught 15 years.
Kimberly Baylis – counselor at Colton High, has mentored 30 years.
Myrna Cardenas – counselor at Colton High, has mentored 27 years.
Melanie Carlson – kindergarten teacher at Lincoln Elementary, has taught 29 years.
Flovonne Henry – teacher of RSP Sp.Ed. at Colton High, has taught 5 years.
Dawna Hughes – teacher of HEAL Program at Colton High, has taught 22 years.
Rosa Lopez – kindergarten teacher at Lincoln Elementary, has taught 9 years.
Marcos Meza – teacher of Auto Shop at Colton High, has taught 20 years.
Nevin Murillo – teacher of RSP Sp.Ed. at Colton High, has taught 3 years.
Willaim Pereira – teacher of RSP Sp.Ed. at Colton High, has taught 23 years.
Anthony Ponce – 6th grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary, has taught 24 years.
Theresa Rago – teacher of Wellness Program at Colton High, has taught 2 years.
Yogesh Sharma – teacher of Science at Colton High, has taught 16 years.
Ligia Valencia – 1st grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary, has taught 11 years.
Tom Wurz – teacher of Graphic Communications at Colton High, has taught 30 years.
These 17 teachers are to be congratulated for their outstanding success in the classroom and their service to the school and ultimately to the community. The City of Colton continues to support its teachers in the schools and is honored to recognize these outstanding professionals as part of the Colton Teacher Appreciation Day for 2025.