Lopez honored as December Employee of the Month

It is with pleasure that the Fresno County Office of Education honored Rocio Lopez, Paraeducator II in Special Education at Monte Vista School, as the December 2016 Employee of the Month.

Rocio, who has been with the Fresno County Office of Education for 10 years, is a staff member who embodies “Proceed with Compassion” in all she does. Rocio shows compassion not just to her fellow staff members, students and their families, but also to the animals that tend to wander onto school grounds or her own yard.

“This award means that I’m much appreciated here,” said Rocio. “People do notice hard work. I’m not here just for the paycheck, but because I love everyone here.”

Rocio uses her artistic creativity to make the learning environment of the classroom visually appealing by showcasing student achievement. Because her students are non-verbal, every interaction she plans with them activates their senses.

“In the classroom, staff talks, dances and laughs. The students love watching us and our expressions. We use eye-gazing to communicate,” said Rocio.

Rocio always comes to work with a positive attitude and a strong work ethic that motivates her classroom’s instructional team. The teacher in her class relies on her to take over a lesson when needed and she is always willing to offer good ideas for ways to make the curriculum more meaningful for her students. Many of Rocio’s students have been with her since they were young children.

“They grew up with me,” she said. “I treat them like my own kids.”