STAR Awards
Celebrating Our 2026 District STAR Award Honorees!
We are thrilled to announce our outstanding 2026 District STAR Award Honorees! This year, we proudly celebrated the exemplary achievements of our Spectacular, Terrific, Amazing, (STAR) and Remarkable employees from various schools and departments who consistently go above and beyond to support our community. Our recognition ceremony honored the Teachers of the Year from each school site, as well as the Classified Employees of the Year who represent a diverse range of essential roles throughout the district.
Among this remarkable group, we want to extend special congratulations to:
- District Teacher of the Year: Sjondrala Hill, Ernie Pyle Elementary School
- District Classified Employee of the Year: Kaye Pettit, District Office
Thank you to all our honorees for your dedication and commitment to excellence! Your contributions make a profound impact on our students and community.
BUSD Teacher of the Year - Sjondrala Hill
We are excited to announce that Mrs. Sjondrala Hill has been selected as the Teacher of the Year for the 2026-2027 school year!
As a 6th grade teacher at Ernie Pyle Elementary School, Mrs. Hill is a force of nature! Her exceptional classroom management fosters a structured and empowering environment, inspiring students to strive for excellence. With high expectations and unwavering dedication, she challenges every student to unlock their full potential. Respected by her peers and admired by her students, Mrs. Hill demonstrates the true essence of professionalism and commitment to success. We are truly honored to celebrate her at the Bellflower Unified 2026 STAR Awards!
BUSD Classified Employee of the Year - Kaye Pettit
We are thrilled to announce that Mrs. Kaye Pettit has been named the Classified Employee of the Year for the 2026-2027 school year!
As the Senior Accounting Assistant at Bellflower Unified School District, she’s the backbone of our team, ensuring 550 employees have peace of mind every month. The dedication she shows at work is is truly remarkable.
Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Kaye Pettit for her well-deserved recognition as the BUSD Classified Employee of the Year for 2026-2027! We are proud to have her in our district!
Teachers of the Year
- Nico Turien, ATC / BAE
- Nancy Hua, Albert Baxter
- Jamie Satre, Bellflower Middle & High School
- Laura Meckler, Craig Williams
- Sjondrala Hill, Ernie Pyle
- Jennifer Blackman, Stephen Foster
- Andrea May, Frank E. Woodruff
- Nancy Alcocer, Intensive Learning Center
- Araceli Roldan, Las Flores Independent Study Academy
- Valerie Navarro, Esther Lindstrom
- Mimi Cannizzaro, Mayfair Middle & High School
- Tina Dang, Ramona
- Maria Vitale, Somerset High School
- Debra Lara, Thomas Jefferson
- Paulina Aceves, Washington
Classified Employees of the Year
- Kaye Pettit, Sr. Accounting Assistant, District Office
- Meysi Toruno, Clerical Asst. II- Bilingual, ATC / BAE
- Nora Ponce, Instructional Asst.- Bilingual, Albert Baxter
- Daisy Cortez, Secretary, Bellflower Middle & High School
- Ernie Miranda, Custodian, Craig Williams
- Maria De La Torre, Instructional Asst - Bilingual, Ernie Pyle
- Terri Erickson, Secretary, Stephen Foster
- Lisa Northern, Instructional Assistant, Frank E. Woodruff
- Ramon Quintana, Lead Custodian, Intensive Learning Center
- Shauna Douglass, Instructional Assistant, Las Flores Independent Study Academy
- Esteban Rodriguez, Physical Education Assistant, Esther Lindstrom
- Jenn Vermeer, Secretary, Mayfair Middle & High School
- Jazmin Gomez, Behavior Assistant, Ramona
- Stephanie Gaude, Secretary, Somerset High School
- Ines Mariscal, Secretary, Thomas Jefferson
- Letticia Arriola, Community Services Worker, Washington
If you'd like to relive some of the highlights — here are a few resources from the evening:
Watch the STAR Awards Ceremony
View the Event Program
See the Honoree Slides