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Who makes a difference in your Sacramento school? Vote for changemakers in our Honor Roll

We asked you to nominate your favorite people in the Sacramento-area education world making a difference.

We received a number of touching testimonials that highlight educators, principals, custodians and school staff in the region.

Now, we are asking you to vote for The Sacramento Bee Honor Roll winner, from the changemakers you nominated. Below you can meet the 16 heroes and learn a little about the great work they are doing.

We will have a total of three voting rounds, until we reach a winner. For this first round, you will have until Wednesday, May 10 to vote. Vote here (nominee profiles below):

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Read about the nominees here:

Testimonials have been paraphrased for brevity and clarity.

Eugene Stovall

Eugene Stovall, principal at Matsuyama Elementary School
Eugene Stovall, principal at Matsuyama Elementary School

What does he do?: Principal at Matsuyama Elementary School

Testimonial: Mr. Stovall came to Matsuyama this year. He has changed the entire dynamic of the school. He offers award for attendance and grades, plus hosts monthly town halls to honor awardees. He makes it so exciting for these kids to want to go to school.

Freddie Bryant

Fred Bryant, restorative justice educator and athletic administrator at San Juan High School
Fred Bryant, restorative justice educator and athletic administrator at San Juan High School

What does he do?: Restorative justice educator and athletic administrator at San Juan High School

Testimonial: Freddie was recently selected to receive a Spirit of San Juan Award in our district. Students and staff agree his door is open for everybody. Everyone knows they can come to him no matter their issue. Freddie takes on many roles including: teacher, restorative justice coordinator, athletic director, BSU advisor, student government advisor, basketball coach, track coach and intervention specialist.

Gema Godina

Gema Godina, principal at Washington Elementary School.
Gema Godina, principal at Washington Elementary School.

What does she do?: Principal at Washington Elementary School.

Testimonial: She does an amazing job at centering equity concerns in a way that benefits the whole school.

Heather Rodriguez

Heather Rodriguez, English teacher at Natomas Pacific Pathways High School
Heather Rodriguez, English teacher at Natomas Pacific Pathways High School

What does she do?: English teacher at Natomas Pacific Pathways High School.

Testimonial: She’s a very inspirational person and her book shelf is amazing.

Jessica Martin

Jessica Martin, principal at New Technology High School
Jessica Martin, principal at New Technology High School

What does she do?: Principal at New Technology High School.

Testimonial: She cares for her students and looks for outside the box lessons, and partnerships for her students to learn. She partnered with me in 2022, for the 916 Day Tree Planting at, adjacent Argonaut Park. The event was hosted to learn the value of adding tree canopy in South Sacramento. This was days after September’s extreme weather heat event of over 117 degrees. All the students at the high school either joined in tree planting, or had lessons about native trees and canopy. This tech high school will now document trees as they grow over the years.

Joseph Wong

Joseph Wong, kindergarten teacher at Washington Elementary
Joseph Wong, kindergarten teacher at Washington Elementary

What does he do?: Kindergarten teacher at Washington Elementary.

Testimonial: One of the best teachers. Mr. Wong goes out of his way to make each kid feel important. He’s patient and makes learning fun!

Katie Nobida

Katie Nobida, registrar at West Campus High School
Katie Nobida, registrar at West Campus High School

What does she do?: Registrar at West Campus High School.

Testimonial: Ms. Nobida goes above and beyond her position as the school registrar. She is kind, helpful, responsive, respectful, direct, professional, and knows everything about the school and the students. If I have any questions or concerns, she is the first and pretty much the only person I need to talk to.

Kim Zeltvay

Kim Zeltvay, principal at Gold River Discovery Center.
Kim Zeltvay, principal at Gold River Discovery Center.

What does she do?: Principal at Gold River Discovery Center.

Testimonial: Kim Zeltvay is an amazing principal. She is a tireless and dedicated principal. She reads in the classrooms of the lower grades and co-teaches in the higher grades in the K-8th school. She is highly visible - - high fiving the students, teaching social emotional learning lessons in the daily televised ‘morning school message’. She plays ball with the students at recess. As an incentive, she has allowed kids to earn the privilege of throwing a pie at her. She has motivated students with a student store to recognize pro-social, positive behavior.

Kristin Adams

Kristin Adams, 4rth grade teacher at Two Rivers Elementary School
Kristin Adams, 4rth grade teacher at Two Rivers Elementary School

What does she do?: Fourth grade teacher at Two Rivers Elementary School.

Testimonial: Ms. Adams gets to know her students personally. Her mission is to educate students and make learning fun. She engages the parents and includes families, which creates a community environment. She tutors after school and teaches choir, too. AMAZING! I could go on.

Luis Cruz Solache

Luis Cruz Solache, family and community coordinator.
Luis Cruz Solache, family and community coordinator.

What does he do?: Family and community engagement coordinator.

Testimonial: Luis was recently selected to receive a Spirit of San Juan Award in our district. Colleagues agree he is always seeking ways to remove barriers for families to access our district services and resources. Luis coordinated efforts across the district to provide the district’s Family Leadership Academy in multiple languages, making it more accessible to students and their families.

Melita Huitt

Melita Huitt, speech and language pathologist.
Melita Huitt, speech and language pathologist.

What does she do?: Speech and language pathologist.

Testimonial: She goes above and beyond to help her students, offering suggestions to outside resources when necessary, and willing to do Zoom sessions.

Mitch Weather

Mitch Weather, teacher at University Prep.
Mitch Weather, teacher at University Prep.

What does he do?: Teacher at University Prep.

Testimonial: Mr. Weathers is a gift to the world. He recognizes and acknowledges students for doing the right thing and exhibiting healthy behaviors. He is inclusive, empathetic, and encouraging. He is more than an educator, he’s a nurturer. My student has struggled with mental health issues, and he cared for the well being of her education and mental health.

Neng Her

Neng Her, Principal at Edward Kemble Elementary School.
Neng Her, Principal at Edward Kemble Elementary School.

What does she do?: Principal at Edward Kemble Elementary School.

Testimonial: Mrs. Her is a phenomenal principal who goes above and beyond every day! Students are always at the center of every decision she makes. She is closely invested in the community, visiting homes and bringing food to ensure that families have what they need to be successful. She is a gem!

Ronnie Roshawn

Ronnie Roshawn, head custodian.
Ronnie Roshawn, head custodian.

What does he do?: Head Custodian at Carriage Elementary School.

Testimonial: Ronnie was recently selected to receive a Spirit of San Juan Award in our district. He makes time to sit down and talk to students, and shows empathy for students facing challenges. The students and staff feel cared about and supported by him, they agree that a day without Ronnie is a cloudy day.

Twiana Armstrong

What does she do?: Founder of SeeMYchild.

Testimonial: Twiana founded nonprofit SeeMYchild and co-chairs the Placer County MLK Day and Juneteenth Celebrations. SeeMYchild promotes inclusivity and social and educational equity, supports local black student unions, and recognizes local youth achievements. Twiana brings together community members spanning the political spectrum to highlight the growth of Placer’s diverse families and to affirm inclusion as a Placer County value.

Carin Humphrey

Carin Humphrey, owner of Little Sparrow.
Carin Humphrey, owner of Little Sparrow.

What does she do?: Owner and operator of Little Sparrow Childcare.

Testimonial: Carin is constantly going above and beyond for the education community. Even though she works full time, she always donates time and energy to the school, staff, and community.

What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.