Announcing the Alisal USD Teacher and Classified Employees of the Year.

Announcing the Alisal USD Teacher and Classified Employees of the Year.

Alisal USD is fortunate to have among the hardest working and most dedicated educational professionals in Monterey County. Every year, District leaders select among them the ones who shine the brightest to receive a District wide award. This year, Mr. Jeff Goularte of Dr. Oscar F. Loya Elementary was chosen as Alisal USD Teacher of the Year; and five staff members to be Classified Employees of the Year. All of them will represent the District in a county wide awards ceremony that will take place Friday, May 12, 2023, at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Seaside.

These staff members were selected for their strong work ethic and their eagerness to do what’s best on behalf of students. Although some of these members have been with the District for a short period of time, they’ve already embraced the spirit of cooperation and service that embodies the best of Alisal. 

Classified Staff Members of the Year

Clerical and Administrative Services: Alma Gonzales, Monte Bella Elementary. 

Transportation Services: Patricia Perea; Maintenance, Operations, Transportation, and Safety. 

Skilled Trades Services: Thomas David Flannery; Maintenance, Operations, Transportation, and Safety. 

Food and Nutrition Services: Brenda Morales, Monte Bella Elementary. 

Custodial and Maintenance Services: Christian Murillo; Maintenance, Operations, Transportation, and Safety. 

Let us all congratulate these dedicated men and women and applaud them for the recognition they’ve earned. Well deserved!

Teacher of the Year

Mr. Jeff Goularte fell in love with teaching during his last year of high school, when he tutored special education students as one of his elective classes. Throughout that year he endeavored himself to teach the adult students math, and when finally, during the last week of instruction, the spark of recognition lit up the face of one of them, Mr. Goularte was hooked. He enrolled in a Special Education program in Norfolk, Virginia, but he would not become a full-time teacher until many years later, when he began substituting at Frank Paul Elementary in the Alisal Union School District in 1997. In 2000, he began teaching at the brand new Dr. Oscar F. Loya Elementary, where he remains as 3rd grade teacher. The rest is history. 

Mr. Goularte was selected for his dedication to students, his spirit of cooperation among staff, and his willingness to learn and experiment with new strategies that allow him to develop his craft. 

Congratulations, Mr. Goularte. It’s an honor to have you on the Alisal team. 

In addition to the countywide celebration, the Alisal USD employees of the year and the Luminaria recipients will be honored at their school sites starting the week of May 15. More details will be shared by your site administrator. 

Posted May 9, 2023