Julita Sasamoto Enriquez started working with Capital Improvement Project program since 2006 as an administrative officer. She has shown 100 percent dedication to the program with her outstanding and consistent level of performance. Additionally, she has demonstrated leadership and initiative when given any task without guidance. Our contractors find Ms. Enriquez very professional when it comes to her work. Her attendance is superb and puts in more than 40 hours a week. Her contribution to the program is the organization of the department files and the development of a system in tracking payment applications, purchase orders, and project listing. Mrs. Enriquez is like a “Mother” to the office. She makes sure that the day-to-day duties are met on a timely manner. Julie is a very professional individual and sets the standard. When one thinks of the CIP office, it would be Julie that they think of first. Julie is the CIP office.
Probio Cabrera has been with PSS since 1991 at Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment. For more than 13 years, he has been the lone data management personnel. He is very dedicated to his work and doesn’t mind the extra duties assigned on a regular basis. He is always willing to assists and never says he is too busy. Mr. Cabrera is a very humble person, respectful, and courteous. Never has Probio been known to be at odds with those with whom he interacts on a daily basis. He is, in a word, cooperative, supportive, and useful.
Vilma Castro has been working for Food Nutrition & Service Office since January 2008. Her service is invaluable to the overall performance of our office and to the students and schools we serve. Parents know this. School secretaries know this. School administrators know this. Vilma is the “Swiss Army Knife” of the FNS department.
She knows where everything is and knows who to contact to solve problems. Vilma provides and maintains the database for virtually every essential report delivered to the Federal Programs Office on a quarterly basis. She is adept at most things Microsoft Excel and requires more than one computer monitor to keep up with her ability to multitask. Many times, Vilma is faced with challenges of dealing with upset parents. She is very patient, sincere, and helpful even when parents are being extremely difficult. She always addresses every concern of the parents and never brushes off anyone even on her busiest days.
Bernice Diaz has been a loyal PSS employee for over 19 years at Fiscal and Budget Office as a Financial Analyst/Assistant Budget Officer. She has provided dependable, reliable, accurate, and timely services throughout her tenure at PSS. Through her sound work ethic and business morals, Mrs. Diaz has earned admiration and confidence of those she works with. Mrs. Diaz has the institutional memory and ability to perform at high level of efficiency. She maintains extraordinary work hours every week so work can be processed in a timely manner and services can be delivered without delay. Additionally, Mrs. Diaz has developed into the quintessential Fiscal and Budget employee, meaning that she has learned almost all functions or responsibility when other F & B employees are unavailable for any reason. From forecasting the budget to helping out in payroll, travel, and accounts payable, Mrs. Diaz is always there to assist in times of need. Her small stature is certainly no indication of the mountainous work she is capable of doing nor is it an indication of the immeasurable dedication and commitment she has to the F & B office and the children of PSS.
Program Manager of the Year
Steve Smith as the language arts coordinator is the embodiment of the Program Manager of the Year as he practically lives and breathes language arts. For many years, Steve has been actively involved in shaping the Language Arts Curriculum through his work and through his ongoing participation in refining and improving the PSS Standards and Benchmarks for LA. Steve has been the forefront in the formulation of numerous scholastic organizations which have benefited many public and private school students such as the National Forensic League, Spelling Bee and other numerous to mention. In addition to his full-time work at PSS and weekend Praxis, Steve somehow found the time to shoehorn in the attainment of several degrees and Praxis certifications. One cannot help but be impressed with Steve’s commitment to professional development as evidenced by his recent attainment of a Master in Psychology to add the collection of degrees already earned with a Masters in Secondary Education, Bachelors in Secondary Education and AA in Liberal Studies. As exemplified by his steadfast dedication to the field of Language Arts and accomplishments at PSS and through his professional development and scholarly achievements, Steve truly deserves the recognition as the Program Manager of the Year.
