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Certificated Administrator of the Year
Kathleen Felci
Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services
This Certificated Administrator of the Year is a “transplant from Staten Island, New York” and received her B.S., Elementary Education, St. Johns University, New York and her M.A., Education Administration, CSUSB. She has been part of the Desert Sands Family for over 20 years. After starting her teaching career in 1984 in New York for a few years, she relocated to California in 1987 where she was a Director of St. Edwards School in Dana Point. In 1990 she was hired by DSUSD as an elementary teacher at Monroe Elementary where she was selected “Teacher of the Year” for the 1992/93 School Year.
After teaching at Monroe Elementary from 1990 to 1994, Kathy became a Project Facilitator for State and Federal Projects in 1994. In 1998 Kathy was promoted to Principal at Roosevelt Elementary in 1998 to 2003. She then took on the courageous task of opening a new school, Dr. Carreon Academy as Principal from 2003 to 2007. Kathy served as Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, K-12 from 2007-2008 before being promoted to Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services in 2009. In 2010-2011, Kathy worked tirelessly on the adoption of a new Reading/Language Arts series for K-12 and the extensive Categorical Program Monitoring review. In addition to those major projects, she expanded TRAC at the high school level, added 12th grade ERWS, additional APEX licenses and a summer school program for credit recovery. This all resulted in higher graduation rates and academic achievement.
During her tenure at DSUSD, Kathy has demonstrated incredible integrity with true commitment to student success.
Kathy has exceptional leadership and organizational skills and is a dependable team player with a wonderful sense of humor. Kathy is well-respected by staff, students and community. Congratulations to Kathy!
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High School Teacher of the Year
Sharon Hoff
Amistad High School
Sharon has her Father to thank for first influencing her to consider a career in education. As time went on she was becoming aware of her passion for English, her love for learning, and joy when working with kids- a teacher was born! In retrospect, Sharon feels that teaching found her.
Sharon’s describes her work as “relationship teaching” which is the first of the 3 R’s of her philosophy. Relationship-she places the responsibility primarily on herself to find a way to reach her students (“if they fail, I fail”), secondly, Rigor-application of every tool that she has at her disposal, and thirdly, relevance-meeting the students in the reality of their own responsibilities to their education. They must choose to excel, which is the goal of her instruction.
Sharon is a member of the Council of English Professionals. She is actively involved with her school and the district such as working as STAR testing coordinator, and she was a member of the CAHSEE review panel, TRAC, and CONAP. She has worked as a WASC liaison, and has worked as Principal designee.
Sharon has taught in middle and high school levels in classroom, independent study and continuation programs. Today, as she teaches her students at Amistad High School, she continues to believe that a relationship with an invested teacher is the key that motivates her students to succeed. Congratulations Sharon!
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Middle School Teacher of the Year
Michael Daugherty
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Michael has had a prestigious career working in broadcasting and journalism in Los Angeles. After his time in journalism Michael began an advertising agency in Africa where he had some experience in teaching. In 2007 Michael left Africa to return home with the goal of becoming a teacher.
Michael brings this global, social and business experience into his classroom at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. He keeps things moving-and uses a stop watch to mark 60 seconds after the bell! He keeps things changing so as to engage the interest of his students, focusing on the realities that we are competing with multi-media presentations. Michael greets his students with music each morning, and he uses broadcasting to motivate, and internet technologies to support his instruction. Michael loves the Learn 360 program and practices cooperative learning with his students, and involves parents by keeping them informed and involved through his newsletter.
Michael is a 7th Grade level team leader, and loves to share strategies with his peers. He is married to a fellow teacher. Michael is a member of SSC, DELAC, DAC, and an active member of DSTA, working as a site representative. He is a member of the DSTA PAC. He is an avid cyclist and has been in many competitions including the Tour de Palm Springs.
Michael is representative of those individuals who reach the pinnacle of their career by sharing their life skills with students through the avenue of teaching. His peers have recognized the way he brings his real world view to his classroom with relevance, and excellence. Congratulations Michael!
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Elementary School Teacher of the Year
Ashley Hayball
Earhart Elementary School
Ashley was exposed to education early in life since her mother was a teacher. However, growing up she did not want to be a teacher, but did want to have a positive influence on kids. Ashley chose to be a camp counselor for 11 years!
After her experience with children as a camp counselor she became a teacher and brought this active motivational leadership into her classroom at Earhart Elementary School where she has been teaching since 1996. She strives to shine the light on students’ strengths so they can begin to “own them”. She brings a real world approach to the classroom by making a working economy in which every student is assigned a role which makes them as integral part of their learning community. They can spend their hard earned “haybucks” as they learn to decide and prioritize their own economic needs.
Ashley has been honored as IB Teacher of the Year (state level) in 2012, and is a member of the California Association of World Schools. She is an active member with DSTA, serving as union representative at both Carter and Earhart schools, and she was 2nd Vice President with DSTA in the past. Ashley is involved in church activities and volunteers at the FIND food bank. In the midst of all of this, she manages to have time to run marathons. We would all have to run to keep up with Ashley.
Ashley’s foundation is one of positivity, as she strives to be a beacon for her kids. Ashley’s peers regard her as a model of flexible, creative, and intelligent strength-based teaching. Congratulations Ashley!
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Principal of the Year
Melinda Wallace
Principal, Van Buren Elementary School
This Principal of the Year is “a California Girl”, born in Long Beach, California. This employee holds a Master’s Degree in Education from Cal State University, Bakersfield, Bachelor of Science degree from Stephen F. Austin State University, and has 25 years in the field of education. She relocated to the desert in 2007 where she was selected as Principal of Van Buren Elementary.
Prior to coming to the desert, Melinda was with Westside Union School District in the Antelope Valley and served as a Coordinator-Teacher Support Programs, Vice Principal and Principal. She served as Chairperson on the Antelope Valley Curriculum Articulation Committee, SARB Panel and Super Science Saturday Committee. Melinda also participated in community and professional involvement in the following organizations: ACSA, American Cancer Society, Grace Resources, United Way and YMCA.
Melinda has the ability to lead the staff to a common vision and bring parents, students, and staff to the same vision while creating a cooperative environment among them. This is evident through the achievements gained in the 2010-2011 school year. Van Buren achieved a solid 38 point API gain taking the school to an amazing 878 school-wide API which is the highest elementary API other than our three 900 schools. In addition Van Buren also met all AMAO targets. Amazing!! Congratulations Melinda!
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Classified Administrator of the Year
Jeffrey Kaye
Director, District Security
This Classified Administrator of the Year attended High School in Edison, New Jersey. He continued his education in Reno Nevada. Afterward, you could say he literally entered the school of hard knocks he began a career in law enforcement in 1983, which continued until 2006.
Prior to coming to the Desert Sands Unified School District, Jeff Kaye had worn many hats throughout his 23 years in law enforcement; working as an instructor, undercover officer, and supervisor for various types of police units. He crated and supervised the Northern Nevada Clandestine Lab Investigative team. After retiring, he took his law enforcement experience into another career, and became a published author. In May of 2008, Jeff Kaye was hired as Director of Security and Safety Services. Today, Jeff puts his innovation and expertise to work at DSUSD, instituting training programs such as the Incident Command System process.
Jeff is aware of the important role that each and every member of our security department has to the community to insure the safety of our students, and staff. Jeff brings his motivation, expertise, and professionalism to his role as Director of Security at DSUSD. Congratulations Jeff!
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Site Support Employee of the Year
Deanna Keuilian
Project Facilitator, Educational Services
Deanna began her career in education in Yucca, in Morongo Unified School District as a paraeducator, and then moved to the position of Special Education Teacher. In 2003, Deanna and her husband Kris (a fellow educator/ math teacher at Palm Desert High) decided it was time to make a move, which brought them to DSUSD. They have an active family, with 2 teenagers in middle school, one moving to High School next year.
Deanna currently facilitates Professional Development for certificated and administrative employees, working to align with the overall district development goals. She also coordinates Career Technical Education which is very different today. Through this program students are pipelined to a wider range of options; so they are college and career ready!
Deanna sees herself as a conduit of information, connecting the various spheres of education which support the overall goals of our strategic plan. She desires to maintain the highest standards of professionalism. She is motivated by the leadership she receives from her Administrators, which she considers priceless as she aspires to be in an Educational Administrative position in her future. Congratulations Deanna!
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Confidential Employee of the Year
Adriana Romero
Executive Assistant, Educational Services
This Confidential Employee of the Year started her career in Desert Sands Unified School District as an Office Technician, Bilingual at La Quinta High School in June of 2007. In August of 2007 she was promoted to Administrative Assistant at Dr. Carreon Academy. Along with the daily challenges of her position as Administrative Assistant at Dr.Carreon, Adriana worked as summer school secretary, and translated the correspondence for DAC and ELAC programs. She was a great support for the staff and community alike.
In October of 2010, Adriana was promoted to Executive Assistant in Educational Services. Adriana recognizes and understands the needs in achieving the objectives of the Superintendent and Educational Services.
Adriana also has a commitment to her own education and personal growth. She has participated in the DSUSD Professional Growth process, and in May 2011 she completed her Liberal Arts Associates degree at College of the Desert.
Adriana has the respect of her peers. Though she has many responsibilities, she is recognized for her calm manner and exceptional professionalism. Congratulations Adriana!
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Classified Employees of the Year
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Carmen Felix
Washington Charter School
Carmen began her career with Desert Sands in 1988 as a noon yard supervisor at Adams Elementary and in 1990 became a paraeducator. She started in June 1992 as a paraeducator, bilingual aide at Washington Charter.
Carmen is described as a valuable colleague and friend at WCS. Her excellent work with children in the reading lab and ELD has been a benefit for every child. She has the perfect balance of being firm and loving with the children. She is also always ready to assist teachers and administrators with translations and parent conferences. She is kind, respectful and extremely dependable.
Carmen is on the school Governing Board, active in making decisions for the school. She is a very dedicated employee and is a perfect example of a “team player.” She is very active with CSEA and attends all the monthly meetings and keeps everyone informed about policies and events.
Carmen is also the contact person for WCS Spanish speaking families to communicate with them and keep them informed. She is a wonderful representative for Desert Sands Unified School District. Congratulations Carmen!
Alma Zendejas
Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle School
Alma began her career with Desert Sands in September 2001. She is currently an Office Technician, Bilingual at Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle School. Alma is described by her co-workers as always respectful and friendly with great dedication and pride in her work. She goes above and beyond what is simply “required” of her each and every day.
Alma is enthusiastic about her work and helping others; often sacrificing her own time and resources to help. She works diligently relating to staff, families and students in a positive manner.
Alma is a model employee and a valuable asset to Paige Middle School and Desert Sands Unified School District. Congratulations Alma!
 *Jon Ely (Posthumously)
Maintenance and Operations
Jon worked for DSUSD for over 9 years. He was an Electronic Repair Technician for Maintenance and Operations. “Cowboy”, as he was affectionately known, definitely stood out in a crowd and exuded a calm, assured presence.
He was very professional and treated everyone else with importance and kindness. He respected the role that each employee plays in the district. When he entered a school, “he was a man on a mission”, always there to make sure the job got done. He also tackled many “big events”, including Board Meetings, Convocations, and Graduations. He took the security issues of our district very serious and everything he did was above and beyond. Jon always made good decisions and constantly worked to develop his skills.
Jon exemplified the best of what it means to serve in this educational community. He did give his HEART AND SOUL! We will miss “Cowboy.” Congratulations Jon!
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