2026 People of the Year

Moreland School District Announces 2026 People of the Year Awards

(From left) Board President Sriram Chatrathi, Trustee Brian Penzel, Teacher of the Year Shanowa Ross, Management Employee of the Year Tracy Dwyer, Classified Employee of the Year Emily Cook, Volunteer of the Year Sabine Habouzit, Superintendent Dr. Clover Codd, Board Clerk Heather Sutton and Trustee Ryan Sales.

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 15, 2026 – The Moreland School District (MSD) announced its 2026 People of the Year award winners at the May 12 Board of Trustees meeting. The awards honor more than 20 educators, staff and volunteers from each Moreland school and the district office, for their dedication during the 2025-2026 school year.

The 2026 district-wide award winners are:

• Shanowa Ross (Latimer School) – District Teacher of the Year
• Emily Cook (Payne Elementary School) – District Classified Employee of the Year
• Sabine Habouzit (Easterbrook Discovery School) – District Volunteer of the Year
• Tracy Dwyer (District Office) – District Management Employee of the Year

The MSD Strategic Plan includes a goal to "Attract, Support and Retain Exemplary Staff." One way this is achieved is by celebrating the achievements of staff through awards, celebrations and receptions.

The district-wide winners will go on to represent Moreland at the Santa Clara County Office of Education Certificated/Teacher of the Year and Classified Person of the Year celebrations.

Voted on by their respective school sites, here are the 2026 People of the Year recipients:

Anderson
• Stephanie Stilwell – Certificated Employee of the Year
• Ruth Alvarado Hinojosa – Classified Employee of the Year
• Angie Ruvalcaba – Volunteer of the Year

Baker
• Jesse Slater – Certificated Employee of the Year
• Elisa Valluzzi – Classified Employee of the Year
• Layla Kadric – Volunteer of the Year

Country Lane
• Molly Lenhoff – Certificated Employee of the Year
• Diana Paisley – Classified Employee of the Year
• Richelle Hernandez – Volunteer of the Year

EDS (Easterbrook Discovery School)
• Maryam Baloch – Certificated Employee of the Year
• Diana Rosas – Classified Employee of the Year
• Sabine Habouzit – Volunteer of the Year

Latimer
• Shanowa Ross – Certificated Employee of the Year
• Noel Amoroso – Classified Employee of the Year
• Mizuho Kauffman – Volunteer of the Year

MMS (Moreland Middle School)
• Kitzi Hendricks – Certificated Employee of the Year
• Mayra Tapia – Classified Employee of the Year
• Marni Moseley – Volunteer of the Year

Payne
• Joanna Simon – Certificated Employee of the Year
• Emily Cook – Classified Employee of the Year
• Cathy Tapella – Volunteer of the Year

District Office
• Fabiola Villegas – Classified Employee of the Year

You can view the People of the Year Celebration recording by clicking HERE.

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Published May 15, 2026 Print