Earlier this month, AVUHSD proudly presented the 2026 Award Recipients for our annual Employee Recognition Ceremony. These individuals were nominated by their peers and selected for their unwavering dedication to our students, our schools, and the Antelope Valley community. 

The AVUHSD 2026 Teacher of the Year was awarded to Gavin McElroy from R. Rex Parris High School. He was honored alongside the following educators, who were nominated at the site-level for their continued commitment to excellence in the classroom:

Antelope Valley High School: Karen Rasch-Herrera

Eastside High School: Samuel Perez

Highland High School: Elizabeth Morales

Knight High School: Joshua Chase

Lancaster High School: Alfredo Garcia

Littlerock High School: Yessica Garcia

Palmdale High School: Jennifer Fields

Quartz Hill High School: Heidi Miller

The 2026 AVUHSD Classified Employee of the Year was awarded to Isaac Morales Martinez of Lancaster High School. He was recognized alongside the following site award recipients for their tireless efforts in creating the environments where our students can thrive:

Antelope Valley High School: Rosie Hidalgo

Desert Pathways: Constance Hodgdon

District Office: Karina Becerra

Eastside High School: Roy Little IV

Highland High School: Zachary Lambeth

Knight High School: Karen Galdamez

Littlerock High School: Fawn Kemble

Palmdale High School: Pedro Del Valle

Quartz Hill High School: Robert Duenez

Our 2026 Distinguished Service Award recipients are Dennis Henderson, Rosie Hidalgo, Zach Mercier, Ana Pena-Santos, and Laura Tweedy-Ferguson. These exceptional individuals consistently go above and beyond to transform our vision of excellence into a daily reality for our students and staff.

The Special Service Award Recipients stand out because of their extraordinary initiative and heart, consistently providing the high-level support and care that allow our school communities to flourish. Congratulations to:

M&O & AVHS: Dylan Buxton, Tim Checkwood, Art Gonzalez, Andrew Jarman, Shanon Lewis, Donna Little, Maricio Serrano, Danielle Thompson

Eastside High School: Martin Goodman, Sam Perez, Myiesha Williams

Lancaster High School: Erick Hockman, Isaac Morales Martinez

Palmdale High School: Myunique Emond, Chris Fiscus, Erika Kazee, Byron Kingsberry, Adam Leija, Michael Mattert, Carol Nolte, Ulises Orozco, Juan Pineda Lopez, Maricruz Saldivar, Eddie Sinzun

We are also proud to recognize the following employees for their long-term dedication to the students of the Antelope Valley:

35 Years of Service

Kenneth D. Bryant, Director School Site Safety, Lancaster High School

Krystine Salazar-Gibbs, PAR Consulting Teacher, District Office

30 Years of Service

Sandra Anderson, Teacher, Palmdale High School

Timothy Corfman, Teacher, Highland High School

Jamie Epley, Data Services Specialist, District Office

Dennis Henderson, Teacher/Director of Athletics, Littlerock High School

Andrew Jarman, Carpenter, M&O

Kara Johnson, Teacher/Director of Activities, Knight High School

John Kleespies, Vice Principal, SOAR Prep Academy

Douglas Martin, Teacher, Lancaster High School

Ronald McClinton, Teacher, Desert Winds High School

Sandy Pettway, Campus Security Supervisor, Highland High School

Hugo Schraer, Media Network Technician, Quartz Hill High School

Brett Stubbs, Teacher, Highland High School

Robin Stump-Whetzel, Work Experience Coordinator, Littlerock High School

Kristen Tepper, Principal, Desert Winds High School

Edward Vega, Teacher, Palmdale High School

Daniel Young, Teacher, Highland High School

Thank you to all of the incredibly dedicated individuals who work hard to make our schools and our district shine! The success of our students is made possible with the care and commitment you exhibit daily in all you do.