GGUSD Earns Two Spots among Orange County’s Classified Employees of the Year

Monday, March 9, 2026

Two employees from the Garden Grove Unified School District - electrician Paul Dalmas and Student Supervision Assistant Debbie Guevara - have been recognized as Classified Employees of the Year by the Orange County Department of Education, placing them among nine honorees countywide.

Superintendent Gabriela Mafi made surprise visits to their work sites last week to share the news and thank them for their exceptional work ethic and unwavering dedication to GGUSD students, staff, and schools.

Debbie Guevara has served as a Student Supervision Assistant at Parkview Elementary School for 29 years. She is known for her compassion, professionalism, and proactive approach to student safety, consistently going above and beyond to support students, families, and staff. She fosters a welcoming and supportive campus culture by building meaningful connections with students and families, mentoring colleagues, and ensuring every child begins the day feeling safe, seen, and cared for.

With more than 25 years of experience as a journeyman electrician, Paul Dalmas brings extensive technical expertise and efficiency to maintaining complex school infrastructure, from troubleshooting lighting systems to repairing high-voltage circuits. He approaches each task with urgency and clear communication, ensuring repairs are completed safely while keeping principals, teachers, and staff informed so campuses can continue operating smoothly for students and educators.

Orange County finalists are selected based on work performance, leadership, dedication, and contributions to their school communities.

The Orange County Department of Education will honor its nine recipients during Classified School Employee Week, observed May 17 through May 23. Both Guevara and Dalmas will advance to consideration at the state level for the California Department of Education Classified Employee of the Year Program as well as the U.S. Department of Education Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award.

Each year, GGUSD submits nominees for the OCDE Classified Employee of the Year Program. GGUSD’s 2026 nominees include:

Paul Dalmas, Electrician
Eric Garcia, Electronic and Technology Support Technician
Debbie Guevara, Student Supervision Assistant
Maria Cervantes, School Community Liaison
Donna Monnig, Food Services Lead
Ramon Moreno-Zanabria, Intensive Behavior Intervention Aide
Brian Sannebeck, Grounds Equipment Mechanic
Clara Santacruz, Secretary at Rancho Alamitos High School
Karla Smith, Bus Driver

“We are incredibly proud of Debbie and Paul for this well-deserved recognition and grateful for the outstanding work of all nine of our Classified Employee of the Year nominees,” said GGUSD Board of Education Trustee Walter Muneton. “Our classified employees play a vital role in supporting students and schools every day, and their dedication helps ensure our campuses remain safe, welcoming, and running smoothly for learning.”