Charter School Classified Employee of the Year
Recognizing excellence in service and support.
The Orange County Department of Education's Charter School Classified Employee of the Year program recognizes the outstanding contributions of classified employees who support student success in Orange County charter schools.
The program provides eligible charter schools with the opportunity to participate in the Orange County Classified School Employee of the Year program by recognizing exceptional employees whose dedication, professionalism, and service make a positive impact on their school communities.
Award Categories
Charter schools may nominate one employee in each of the following categories:
- Paraprofessional
- Clerical and Administrative Services
- Transportation Services
- Food and Nutrition Services
- Custodial and Maintenance Services
- Security Services
- Health and Student Services
- Technical Services
- Skilled Trades
Each Orange County charter school may submit up to nine nominations, with one nominee per category.
Eligibility
To be eligible for nomination, an employee must:
- Be currently employed by an Orange County charter school serving students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12.
- Serve in a classified position and not hold a management or supervisory role.
- Have completed at least five years of service in the nominated category by January 2027.
- Not have previously been nominated as an Orange County Classified School Employee of the Year in the same category.
Application Submission
Completed nomination packets must be submitted electronically by the sponsoring charter school no later than November 20, 2026.
Email submissions to:
Jacqueline Alderissi
📧 jalderissi@ocde.us
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| September 9, 2026 | Intent to Participate forms distributed to Orange County charter schools. |
| September 26, 2026 | Deadline to submit the Intent to Participate form. |
| October 1, 2026 | Participating charter schools receive application materials and program guidelines. |
| November 20, 2026 |
|
| January 16, 2027 | OCDE submits selected nominees to the Orange County Classified School Employee of the Year program. |
| March 2027 | Orange County Classified School Employee of the Year finalists are announced. |
| March 2027 | County Offices of Education submit nominations to the California Department of Education. |
| April 2027 | California Department of Education announces the California Classified School Employee of the Year awardees. |
| May 17-21, 2027 | California Classified School Employee Week. |
Questions
Felipe Vasquez, Coordinator, (714) 966-4370
Jacqueline Alderissi, Executive Assistant, (714) 966-4381