Classified Employee of the Year
Elementary Educator of the Year
Middle School Educator of the Year
Vladimir Wells
Campus Safety Assistant at Yosemite Middle School
Vladimir Wells is a much-loved campus safety assistant at Yosemite Middle School who immediately impresses with his clear-cut mission to connect with students and make them feel seen, heard and safe. Wells is one of those employees who gives his very best every day, not only to students, but as a mentor to fellow campus safety assistants and a support to the staff at Yosemite. He stands out because he approaches each day as an opportunity to truly make a difference in students’ lives.
Yosemite, in central Fresno, is in the heart of one of the city’ s most impoverished neighborhoods. Many students experience chaotic, difficult – sometime dangerous – home lives. Wells is often the first person to greet them in the morning, even making sure students get safely across the street. With a few words, he resets their outlook for their day from negative to positive. Wells takes the time to get to know students, what is bothering them and what their needs are. His specialty is scanning students’ shoes, making sure they are not falling apart or the wrong size. If he sees a need, he will bring the students better or new shoes or take the shoes home and repair them. It’ s amazing what new shoes can do for a student’ s attitude and self-esteem. One of the reasons that Wells is so effective with students is that he had his own struggles growing up and can speak from the heart and with real knowledge.
From vice principal Phillip Mackey:“ Our school would not be the same without Vlad.”
In his own words:“ What I love about my career is being able to make a difference, being able to change lives, to let these kids know that where they’ re at in their situation is not all there is to their story. I explain to them that they’ re writing their story, and don’ t write the ending just yet.”
6 FACES
Leanne Cervantes-Johnson
Teacher on Special Assignment in Elementary Career Education
Leanne Cervantes-Johnson is a passionate teacher and community member who has been instrumental in connecting students with life-changing career exploration opportunities. As a teacher on special assignment in career education, she works with the Fresno Police Department, Fresno Fire Department and a number of other organizations on tours, camps and other activities designed to spark students’ interest. Cervantes-Johnson has been instrumental in more than 30,000 students benefiting from industry tours, First Responder Camps, volunteer opportunities and public service events on campuses.
Her high-energy approach to any task makes her a sought-after collaborator. When a project is complete, no matter how successful, she is still always looking for ways to make the education experience better for students and to increase participants. She is also adept at working with teachers and administrators on ensuring alignment with the Career Technical Education Model Curriculum Standards. She also works with colleagues on how to better integrate literacy into career-themed curriculum. In all she does, she keeps students at the center.
Her many accomplishments include launching the district’ s LEGO 4 All, an initiative that trains teachers in how to use LEGO in the classroom to help students explore careers and increase literacy. Her ideas have been recognized by industry partners, and she has been asked to present at national conferences on this work.
Cervantes-Johnson began her career in Fresno Unified in 2016 as a teacher at Heaton Elementary and has been on special assignment with Career Technical Education since 2021.
From Kristen Boroski, director in Career Readiness:“ Leanne understands that our diverse students need diverse experiences to explore and discover their own passions.”
In her own words:“ We know that students who are engaged have better outcomes.”
Roderick Smith
Teacher on Special Assignment at Terronez Middle School
His title says teacher, but Terronez Middle School’ s Roderick Smith is much more. Along with teaching career exploration and leadership classes, he is the advisor for the African American Student Coalition, oversees the detention group during lunch, is in charge of the campus safety assistants and mentors on campus, and tutors after school. He also oversees the African American staff affinity group and coaches track and cross country at Terronez and track at Sunnyside High School.
As a teacher on special assignment, Smith is known for his problem-solving abilities, supporting teachers and collaborating on classroom strategies. He is known for speaking his mind when changes need to be made on campus.
Smith is involved in nearly every aspect of campus to ensure that students feel safe and supported, and frequently checks in with students who are not even in his classes. He builds strong connections with students and their families. He has the number for every one of his students’ parents on his phone and has nearly 100 % attendance on Parent Night.
Principal Gilbert Villarreal credits Smith with increased attendance, GPA and English language arts and math scores for Terronez’ s African American students.
Roderick, a former Fresno State football player, began his career in Fresno Unified as a campus safety assistant. But after five years in that role, former Terronez principal Zerina Hargrove-Brown, recognizing his skills, told him he needed to be in the classroom. He has been a teacher since 2017.
From Terronez Middle School counselor ChaRunn Jones:“ Rod does everything. We call him Superman on campus.”
In his own words:“ We build relationships, teach students to connect with neighbors and their community.”