Mary Ochoa
Administrative Assistant II, Learning Support Services

There’s always time to help others - it’s what Mary Ochoa personifies. When she communicates with people, whether it is a parent, community member, or fellow staff member, she always conveys a sense of respect, caring, and empathy. Mary is widely regarded as a person who can be counted on to get the job done “whatever it takes.”

Each duty she performs is done with utmost care and competence.

Mary truly values the worth of every individual, and that is clearly demonstrated in her interactions with others. When asked by an elementary school staff member to help translate and register a new non-English speaking family with three children, Mary not only went to the school to help register the students, she took the parent to the Transportation Department to translate and get school bus passes; and then took the parent to work in Mira Mesa. While working late one night until 8:00 p.m. at the District Office, she took a female substitute custodian home after her shift was over at 11:00 p.m. because the custodian didn’t have a ride home and would have had to take the bus home to Escondido.

For Mary, community service is an extension of her warmth and compassion. She spends countless volunteer hours as a facilitator for the Latino Family Literacy Project. She seeks donations for low-income families for Thanksgiving dinners; buys and delivers bags of food to the families; coordinates drives for children in a Mexican orphanage; volunteers at the Escondido Library to teach English to Spanish-speaking adults; facilitates a support group for at-risk students; volunteers on field trips at elementary schools; and translates at evening meetings between Spanish-speaking parents and District administration. Mary took a homeless, single mother and infant into her home and supported them for six months. She helped this young woman get monetary support, taught her parenting skills, and eventually helped move her into her own apartment.

The school district staff often requests Mary’s leadership and service. She is a sought after volunteer to serve on committees such as the Strategic Planning Retreat, the High School Planning Team; and Joint Poway Federation of Teachers/PUSD District Study Committee. The tremendous pride Mary brings to her work is reflected in the exceptional way she completes all her assignments including handling large and small projects, workshops and meetings, phone calls, data gathering and recording.

Mary is an advocate for the students and staff of Poway Unified and of our local community. Her life-long commitment to helping others is honored and appreciated.

Lois Mangarelli
Volunteer Coordinator, Sundance Elementary School

It is impossible to imagine Sundance Elementary School without the front office coordinator who has served the Poway Unified School District for over 20 years. Her tireless service to students, staff, and the Rancho Penasquitos community is all offered with unsurpassed enthusiasm and dedication.

Lois began her service in 1980 as a parent volunteer, spanning nine years in various classrooms throughout the education of her children. In 1989 she assumed the position of Volunteer Coordinator. This title is a misnomer, for coordinating volunteers on campus is a minor part of her role. She demonstrates multi-tasking at its most efficient. Lois truly is a “jack of all trades,” juggling parent services, attendance, testing schedules, enrollment, transportation, and more.

Lois is also a social pulse of our school and community. She is at the center of many staff celebrations and is sensitive to the needs of her coworkers. She has an answer for every question and an ear for every concern. As a Student Council Advisor for the past 10 years, Lois involves students in their community, fostering a spirit of service and social responsibility. Under her leadership, students have collected and distributed stockings and holiday gifts to more than 500 children living at the Polinsky Children’s Center, contributed financially to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society through Pasta for Pennies, and donated clothing and essentials to a battered women’s shelter. She initiated several annual school-community events including a Sundance Outdoor Movie Night and Barbecue, Spring Country Fair, and Campus Beautification Project.

As a member of the Rancho Penasquitos Recreation Council, the Rancho Penasquitos Town Council, the YMCA Board of Directors, and various athletic boards and community groups, Lois has served her community for more than two decades. She is currently involved in the installation of a memorial bench in a local park to commemorate the son of a staff and community member.

Lois navigates each day with a positive outlook and a sense of humor, embracing challenges with expertise and efficiency. Every decision she makes has kids at its center. She is truly a treasure that shines at Sundance!