MENIFEE – The Menifee Union School District Board of Education proudly announces the recipients of the 2025-2026 District Educators of the Year awards, recognizing nine outstanding individuals for their dedication, leadership, and commitment to student success.
These annual awards celebrate excellence across all district functions, from classroom instruction to administrative and support services. The winners were selected through a rigorous nomination and review process that highlighted their significant impact on students, colleagues, and the wider community.
The 2025-26 District educators and employees of the year are:
- Lesley Stevens (District Teacher of the Year, Sally Buselt Elementary School)
- Christine Simpson (District Teacher of the Year, Menifee Valley Middle School)
- Patricia Guerra (School Counselor of the Year, Bell Mountain Middle School)
- Bridget Heeren (Principal of the Year, Southshore Elementary School)
- Melinda Conde (Certificated Administrator of the Year, Student Success Services)
- Paul Azevedo (Classified Administrator of the Year, Maintenance, Operations, and Transportation)
- Adriana Perez (District Classified Employee of the Year, Chester W. Morrison)
- Briana Barrino (Site Support Employee of the Year, Various Sites)
- Sarah Katanski (Confidential Employee of the Year, Business Services)
“The amazing talent and dedication of our staff are the foundation of everything we achieve in Menifee Union School District,” said Dr. Jennifer Root, Superintendent of MUSD. “These nine recipients exemplify the very best of our team, showing a strong commitment to nurturing, challenging, and supporting every student across all functions. Adding to this sentiment, Board President J. Kyle Root stated, ‘On behalf of the entire Board, I want to congratulate these outstanding individuals. Their collective passion is what drives the success and supportive environment of the district, and we are immensely proud as they move forward to represent us at the county level.”
The honorees will be formally recognized at an upcoming Evening of Excellence event and also at the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE) Educators Luncheon in May 2026. All recipients will advance to compete at the county level for their 2026 Educators of the Year program.
The Menifee Union School District extends its heartfelt congratulations to all award recipients for their exemplary service and for setting a standard of excellence across the entire organization.
Submitted by Menifee Union School District.
