Classified Man, Woman of Year Saluted

Annual Support Staff Honors for “Backbone of District”

San Diego Unified School District’s Classified Employees of the Year are Amir Rahim, a Race-Human Relations Education Assistant, and Sylvia Garcia, a Student Information System Site Technician II.

The pair, and all classified employees, will be honored at a celebration scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, at University City High School, 6949 Genessee Ave. (92122). As this is a scheduled meeting of the Board of Education, it is open to the public.

“These hard-working men and women are so dedicated to our children,” said Superintendent Terry Grier. “They’re responsible for keeping our schools safe and clean, keeping the grades and attendance straight -- thousands of tasks every day to keep a school running.”

Classified employees are those without teaching credentials and include custodians, office support staff, classroom assistants, and central office staff and managers. This is the 26th year that the district has chosen Classified Employees of the Year.

Rahim is a Race-Human Relations Education Assistant in the Race-Human Relations and Advocacy Department. A 12-year San Diego Unified employee, he helps students to become responsible and cooperative citizens by assisting school communities in seeking ways to value and respect diversity.

Garcia is Student Information System Site Technician II at Gaspar de Portola Middle School in Tierrasanta. A 24-year San Diego Unified employee, she manages all school data, grades, transfers and the school master schedule, as well as helping with Spanish translation needs.

“Our classified staff is the backbone of our district,” said Grier. “This honor is a small way we can say thank you to all of them.”