Meet the 2026-27 County Classified School Employees of the Year

Four outstanding employees were selected recently to represent San Diego County as Classified School Employees of the Year. The honorees highlight the wide variety of skills that classified school employees bring to school sites, representing the health and student services, clerical and administrative services, paraprofessional services, and custodial and maintenance services specialties.

For decades the San Diego County Classified School Employee of the Year program has honored the tireless efforts of exemplary classified school employees through the countywide program. Each school district may nominate one Classified School Employee of the Year to submit as a candidate to the San Diego County Office of Education. The classified employee’s supervisor or a representative from the school or district writes several essays about the employee, describing their impact and commitment to students, and providing testimonials from colleagues and families. A judging panel chooses several county classified employees of the year, each representing a different occupational specialty.

Learn more about the four San Diego County Classified School Employees of the Year below. They will now move on to the 2026 California State Classified Employees of the Year program. 

Brianna Millard, San Diego County Classified School Employee of the Year, Health and Student Services

Brianna Millard is an athletic trainer at Carlsbad High School in Carlsbad Unified School District who has spent seven years championing health and safety for student athletes. Millard created and encouraged the use of rigorous concussion protocols, heat monitoring, and collaborative care plans with coaches, medical providers, and families. Beyond her clinical role, she represents her school at professional conferences, encourages students to consider careers in sports medicine, and pursues ongoing education about mental health to better support her athletes. Her work has earned Millard a reputation among students, staff, and families as the backbone of the athletic program.

Angela Cruz, San Diego County Classified School Employee of the Year, Clerical and Administrative Services

Angela Cruz is a library media technician at Stuart Mesa School in the Oceanside Unified School District. She has transformed the library into an inclusive literacy hub for students in transitional kindergarten through 8th grade by modernizing the collection, personally matching students with books that will speak to their interests and creating school-wide reading events. She also volunteers each morning at the front gate, serving as a consistent, welcoming face for students, many of whom are from military families navigating frequent moves and deployments. Cruz has also inspired community support of the school, including recruiting parent volunteers and securing grants from community businesses and partners.

Amy Moss, San Diego County Classified School Employee of the Year, Paraprofessional Services

Amy Moss is an occupational therapist at San Pasqual Union School District. For the last 28 years, Moss has supported students as they developed fine motor skills, sensory regulation, and self-management so they can fully participate in classroom life. She extends her impact by training teachers, presenting to the district’s governing board, and partnering closely with families. Colleagues, students, and parents all describe her as endlessly dedicated, deeply compassionate, and irreplaceable.

Delfino “Tino” Martinez, San Diego County Classified School Employee of the Year, Custodial and Maintenance Services

Delfino "Tino" Martinez is the plant foreman for Solana Beach School District, where he has spent the last five years maintaining safe, clean, and welcoming facilities across the district, including the child development center, and all seven district school sites. He does this while also mentoring his custodial team and managing district-wide supply logistics. He brings the same warmth and discipline to his community, competing in Ironman and ultramarathon events, mentoring runners with the San Diego Track Club for over 20 years, and coaching youth sports. Martinez models the perseverance and generosity that define his work every day.

Learn more on the SDCOE Classified Employee of the Year webpage.