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San Bernardino City Unified honors employees at 2026 appreciation ceremony
Summary
San Bernardino City Unified held its 2026 employee appreciation event at San Bernardino High School, presenting Golden and Crystal Apple awards, a new Officer of the Year honor, bravery awards, and recognizing more than 150 retirees and dozens of long‑service employees.
The San Bernardino City Unified School District held its 2026 employee appreciation ceremony in the evening, recognizing dozens of employees with awards for service, excellence and bravery.
Mary Roan Goodwin, the district's director of communications and community relations, opened the program and framed the event as a celebration of the district’s classified and certificated staff. “Your compassion, your dedication, and unwavering commitment to students are the foundation of our district's success,” Goodwin said, thanking staff, administrators and the superintendent’s executive cabinet for their work across San Bernardino and Highland communities.
The district presented six Golden Apple Awards to employees chosen by the superintendent and executive cabinet through a blind screening process; Goodwin noted that recipients were nominated by supervisors. Honorees announced included longtime employees recognized for leadership and decades of service, among them Cheryl Togashi (recognized for 40 years of service), CJ Eastwood (a teacher with three decades at Pacific High School) and David Sierra (budget analyst in facilities planning and development). The program then presented Crystal Apple Awards to 10 additional employees across certificated and classified roles.
For the first time the district presented an Officer of the Year Award. District Police Officer Michael Cobb, who had been identified earlier to lead the Pledge of Allegiance, received the 2024 Officer of the Year honor; Goodwin cited his work on student mental‑health initiatives and volunteer service to unhoused residents. Goodwin also presented the district’s Bravery and Courage (ABC) awards to officers and school staff who were credited with life‑saving responses to medical emergencies.
Dr. Morgan Palaterra, demonstration teacher program lead and student teacher program coordinator, introduced newly National Board Certified Teachers and described the certification as “the highest standard in our profession,” calling it a reflection of perseverance and commitment to students. Palaterra read the names of the newest NBCTs and noted one honoree who could not attend.
The ceremony recognized long‑service employees across multiple anniversary categories — including 35‑ and 40‑year honorees who will receive engraved plaques and service coins — and Goodwin announced that more than 150 district employees are retiring this year. The program concluded after presenting Rising Star and Shining Star awards to early‑career staff, substitutes and interns.
Board President Ceballos resumed the floor at the close of the program and called for a motion to adjourn; a motion and second were recorded, the body voted “Aye” and the meeting was adjourned.
The event highlighted a mix of career milestones, professional certifications and on‑the‑job bravery among SBCUSD employees; next procedural steps were ceremonial recognition and the district’s internal follow‑up with honorees.
