To some Turlock Unified School District employees, it is not enough to just do their job every day.

Rather, for a number of classified employees, such as paraprofessionals, secretaries, and technicians, it is just as important to make a difference in the lives of others, particularly the students, families and staff they interact with.  

It is because of this reason that three TUSD employees are positioned to be acknowledged by the Stanislaus County Office of Education in a special ceremony later this month for their reception of the Employees Making a Difference Award.

Alicia Miranda, a health technician at Osborn Two-Way Immersion Academy, was one of the three employees selected to be recognized by SCOE, as well as one of the 16 employees honored at the district level during TUSD’s Board meeting on Tuesday.

 “I am in shock and I am appreciative of my peers who gave me the honor of being a recipient this year,” said Miranda. “I am honored that I am representing Osborn and all of our parents and students who have supported and encouraged me. Without them, I wouldn’t be here and this means the world to me.”

Miranda reports that even after 40 years of working with the district, she still loves coming to work every day. She also volunteers for the school’s PTA, school site council, and is a member of the Positive Behavior Leadership Team.

Also chosen to be recognized by SCOE later this month are Kathy Prada, an administrative assistant at Turlock High School, and Ben Liang, a maintenance worker with the district.

According to SCOE communications coordinator Judy Leitz, the ceremony will honor the recipients of the award at the county level.

“It is always a special time when you are able to recognize staff that supports the students,” said Leitz. “These people help the schools run and they are the backbone of the schools. Anytime you can recognize these individuals, it is a good thing.”

The ceremony will culminate with the selection of six employees who will move on to be considered for the statewide program, California Classified Employees of the Year. The award has six categories: Child Nutrition, Transportation, Para-educator, Maintenance Operations, Office and Technical, and Support Services and Security.

The SCOE ceremony is scheduled for 4 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Petersen Event Center in Modesto. For more information, visit stancoe.org/scoe/admin/Emad/