2008 Classified Employees of the Year - by Site
2008-2009 District Teachers of the Year
2007 Classified of the Year

Poway Unified Announces Its Classified Employees of the Year
Mercedes Przybylski and Kathy Kaser Receive School District Honors

The Poway Unified School District is proud to announce that Mercedes Przybylski and Kathy Kaser have been chosen as Poway Unified School District Classified Employees of the Year for 2008.

A committee of district and site representatives selected the two district-level Classified Employees of the Year (one representing school sites and one representing district departments) based on work performance, contributions to the school district, and community achievements.

The San Diego County Office of Education also sponsors a Classified Employee Recognition Program, honoring one member of classified service for San Diego County. This year’s Poway Unified representative at the county level will be Mercedes Przybylski.

Our PUSD Classified Employees of the Year are:

Mercedes Przybylski

Food Service Assistant

Pomerado Elementary School

Mercedes Przybylski serves lunches and warm smiles in the Pomerado Elementary School cafeteria each day.  Her sunny nature and desire to help wherever needed radiate throughout Pomerado’s campus.  Mercedes is a grandmother to all the students, a vibrant individual who sees a need and then works to fill it.

When Mercedes is serving food or collecting the students’ lunch money, she addresses each child by name, speaking to them with care and respect.  If a student does not have lunch money, Mercedes finds a way to make sure they have something to eat.  Her warm, caring manner is also apparent when she walks along the school’s hallways.  Mercedes often pauses to speak to the children and teachers asking them how they are doing or complimenting them.

Mercedes has served for many years as a Spanish-speaking translator on Pomerado’s campus.  She attends parent nights and parent-teacher conferences, English Language Learner meetings, and makes telephone calls to relay important information to families from the teachers.  Each year, as Mercedes translates for families and children, she notices a student who could benefit from her help.  This year she is mentoring a Spanish-speaking student once a week, helping the student practice reading and math skills.

Mercedes is a kind, caring, positive, and very happy person who, every day, makes a meaningful difference for the students of Pomerado Elementary School.

Kathy Kaser

Braille Transcriber
Special Education Department 

As Poway Unified’s Braille Transcriber, Kathy Kaser provides a special service for students who are eager to learn.  Kathy’s work and commitment enrich the students’ education.  They feel a real connection to her as a friend, and as someone who cares about them.

“Kathy serves with humility and dedication, and is greatly admired by those with whom she works,” said Special Education Executive Director Wendy Smith-Rogers.  “She is a joy to be around, a fun-loving person, and a tremendous source of knowledge.”

The program that provides support for visually-impaired students has expanded over the years, and Kathy has not only kept up with the demands, but has improved upon the services provided to students.  She produces worksheets, tests, and lecture materials, sometimes within a very short period of time.  She always keeps in constant communication with classroom teachers, obtaining assignments and ordering the required textbooks as needed.

Kathy’s dedication to her program is outstanding and she goes to all lengths for the students’ benefit.  She often serves as liaison with fundraising organizations to benefit the students.  Kathy has also opened her home and her kitchen to help students learn to cook.

Kathy willingly shares her expertise with others with the hope of educating more people about students with special needs.  She has given presentations to staff about the program and about her communication with teachers and parents, as she helps students on their quest for both a meaningful education and developing connections with their schools and other students.