Imperial County Classified School Employees of the Year
The Imperial County Office of Education (ICOE) is proud to announce the selection of three outstanding individuals as countywide Classified School Employees of the Year recipients for 2025. This year’s honorees are Gerardo Buenrostro from Brawley Elementary School District, Marta Angie Santillan from El Centro Elementary School District, and Humberto Iribe from Meadows Union School District.
The Classified School Employees of the Year (CSEY) Award Program recognizes the invaluable contributions of classified school employees who support the education of more than 35,000 public school students across Imperial County, from Transitional Kindergarten through twelfth grade. These dedicated professionals—including school bus drivers, custodians, instructional aides, and many more—are the backbone of our schools, fostering a safe, healthy, and supportive learning environment that promotes student success.
ICOE celebrates and honors these individuals for their dedication, hard work, and commitment to making a lasting impact on students, schools, and communities throughout the county. “Congratulations to this year’s Imperial County Classified School Employees of the Year! Their dedication and exceptional service have such a positive impact throughout our schools, significantly impacting our students and families,” commented Dr. Todd Finnell, Imperial County Superintendent of Schools. “The care and commitment of these individuals is truly commendable and is deeply appreciated!"
Paraprofessional Services Category
Gerardo Buenrostro-Brawley Elementary School District
Mr. Buenrostro consistently exemplifies excellence in his work performance through his attention to detail, patience, and commitment to student success. As a paraprofessional in the classroom, his attention to detail in knowing our students and the content they are learning is remarkable. He takes a proactive approach to building relationships with the students he serves, making a concerted effort to understand their individual needs, strengths, and challenges.
Clerical and Administrative Services Category
Marta Angie Santillan-El Centro Elementary School District
During her 8 and a half years as Senior Administrative Secretary to the Deputy Superintendent, Angie has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership through her initiative, self-reliance, and resourcefulness in the workplace. Her leadership qualities were particularly evident when she stepped into the role of interim Director of Fiscal Services during a staffing gap. Not content with simply maintaining operations, Ms. Santillan pursued professional development through the CASBO CBO program, successfully passing the final exam. This achievement demonstrates her commitment to excellence and her willingness to expand her capabilities to meet organizational needs—hallmarks of true leadership.
Custodial and Maintenance Services Category
Humberto Iribe-Meadows Union School District
Leadership is often defined not by position but by actions and influence, and Mr. Iribe exemplifies true leadership in his role. His commitment to excellence, proactive approach, and ability to inspire those around him make him an invaluable leader in our school community. His leadership is evident in how he takes initiative. He proactively identifies problems and offers solutions before they become major issues. Rather than waiting for directives, he suggests campus improvement projects and often takes on the work himself to bring them to life.
In addition to being named the Classified School Employees of the Year, in their respective categories for Imperial County, each honoree has been nominated by ICOE to the California Department of Education for consideration in the statewide CSEY Award Program.