Fresno Unified School District
Excellence in Education
Congratulations to our 2026 finalists!
A night of commemorating our most exemplary staff and teachers. Their enthusiasm, resilience, and dedication to positively impact the lives of our students. The Communications Department encourages nominations and assembles panels of community members, retired employees and communications staff to interview finalists. This event attracts more than 800 guests.
Event Information
Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026
Time: Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Fresno Convention Center. 2233 Cesar Chavez, Fresno, CA 93721
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Event Schedule
• Doors Open: 5:30 p.m. Guests who purchased a table may arrive at 5 p.m. to decorate. Note: No confetti allowed. If confetti is used, the table will be charged $350.00 by the facility.
• Program Begins: 6:00 p.m.
Finalist Check-In
• Check in at the Finalist Table to receive your program and finalist ribbon.
• Table assignments will be sent in advance by text or email.
Dinner Service
Your sit-down dinner will include:
• Caesar Salad
• Lasagna entrée (vegetarian option: Pasta Primavera)
• German Chocolate Cake dessert
Parking Information
• Hotel Garage (attached to DoubleTree): $10.00 — cash only
• Street Parking: $3.49 for 2 hours at a meter (quarters or credit card accepted)
Check Out This Year's Finalists
Certificated Elementary School
|
Allison Arnett |
Eaton Elementary School |
|
Alma Renteria |
Sunset Elementary School |
|
Horacio Esparza Borja |
English Learner Services |
|
Joseph Irwin |
School Nurse |
|
KayCee Kincade |
Ayer Elementary School |
|
Keaton Simas |
Powers-Ginsburg Elementary School |
|
Marylyn Topoozian |
Muir Elementary School |
|
Micaela Garcia |
Gibson Elementary School |
|
Misty Maldonado |
Slater Elementary School |
|
Pa Houa Xiong |
Anthony Elementary School |
Certificated Middle School
|
Ashley Trippel |
Sequoia Middle School |
|
Bryce Grijalva |
Bullard TALENT K-8 School |
|
Carol Yohannes |
Sequoia Middle School |
|
ChaRunn Jones |
Terronez Middle School |
|
Elijah Perez |
Sequoia Middle School |
|
Fernando Tinoco |
Wawona K-8 School |
|
Joseph Bushong |
Tioga Middle School |
|
Julie Adams Howell |
Computech Middle School |
|
Michael J. Angel |
Terronez Middle School |
|
Sara Rivas |
Hamilton K-8 School |
Certificated High School
|
Cal LaFlam |
Hoover High School |
|
Carissa Aflague |
Edison High School |
|
Crystal Rodriguez |
Hoover High School |
|
Jaime Maxey |
Bullard High School |
|
Mary Herrera |
Bullard High School |
|
Octor Vang |
Sunnyside High School |
|
Sandra Chaires Sanchez |
Phoenix Secondary Academy |
|
Tony Fiori |
Farber Educational Campus |
|
Thae Xiong |
English Learner Services (if there is room on materials English Learner Services – Multilingual and Multicultural Education) |
|
Whitney Godfirnon |
Bullard High School |
Classified
|
Blanca Gale Barragan |
Slater Elementary School |
|
Tyler Seib |
Human Resources |
|
Grace Dejuarez |
Lawless Elementary School |
|
Kimberly Logue |
Information Technology (FLATS) |
|
Vangie Carrillo |
Communications |
|
Jennifer Reyna |
Mayfair Elementary School |
|
Jenny McCauley |
Tenaya Middle School |
|
Choua Her |
Parent University |
|
Giselle De La O |
Sequoia Middle School |
|
Esperanza Dominguez |
Tioga Middle School |
District Leaders
|
Abigail Arii |
Prevention & Intervention |
|
Ashley Aouate |
Information Technology |
|
Brian Wall |
Human Resources |
|
Camille Santos |
Fulton School |
|
Jennifer Gonzalez |
Prevention & Intervention |
|
Giovanna DiFilippo |
Human Resources |
|
Kari Brown |
College Readiness |
|
Michelle Mar |
Career Education |
|
Nicole Gorban |
Prevention & Intervention |
|
Sandra Toscano |
School Leadership |
Administrators
|
Jahmaal Sawyer |
Hamilton K-8 School |
|
Gilbert Villarreal |
Terronez Middle School |
|
Rick Santos |
Phoenix Academy Elementary School |
|
Kristin Bride |
Robinson Elementary School |
|
Yua Lee |
Vang Pao Elementary School |
|
Anna Woods |
Sunnyside High School |
|
Teri Helton |
Fulton School |
|
May Tong Her |
Wolters Elementary School |
|
Miguel Gutierrez |
Addams Elementary School |
|
Dr. Faviola Perez |
Mayfair Elementary School |
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