Quick look: Sunburst Youth Academy paraeducator Raelene Velasquez has been named a 2026 California Classified School Employee of the Year and selected as the state’s sole nominee for the national RISE Award.
At Sunburst Youth Academy, structure and support go hand in hand. And for paraeducator Raelene Velasquez, that balance is at the heart of her work each day.
More people are beginning to take notice.
After earning county honors in March, Velasquez was announced Friday as California’s 2026 Classified School Employee of the Year in the category of Paraprofessional Services, making her one of just nine honorees statewide.
The annual award, announced by State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, is the highest distinction for classified school employees in California, spotlighting their contributions to students and school communities.
And there’s more: The OCDE staff member was also selected as the state nominee for the national Recognizing Inspiring School Employees Award, or RISE.
County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean praised Velasquez on Friday, saying she represents the very best of Orange County’s classified workforce.
“Raelene brings a rare combination of consistency, compassion and leadership to her work,” Bean said. “She builds trust with students while holding them to high expectations, and she helps create a school environment where young people feel supported, respected and capable of success. We are incredibly proud to see her recognized at the state level and now considered for the national RISE Award.”
Steady and student-centered
Sunburst Youth Academy is a unique partnership between the Orange County Department of Education and the California National Guard in Los Alamitos. That’s where Velasquez works as a paraeducator, providing personalized instruction and classroom support while keeping students engaged, accountable and on track.
The academy, part of OCDE’s ACCESS program, is a voluntary, tuition-free option for students ages 15½ to 18. Through its 22-week residential model, Sunburst combines academic instruction, physical training and life skills development, with cadets living on campus as they work to recover credits, build discipline and prepare for graduation and beyond.
In the classroom, colleagues describe Velasquez as steady and student-centered, helping ensure daily instruction runs smoothly while supporting both teachers and cadets. She regularly facilitates restorative conversations, provides tutoring and leads discussions that help students stay engaged and accountable.
Her influence extends beyond academics. Velasquez helped create two of the academy’s most anticipated traditions — the Haunted Hallway and Spring Carnival — offering students moments of connection, creativity and normalcy within their structured environment. Her colleagues say those experiences help build belonging and strengthen relationships across campus.
Velasquez “brings patience, clarity and respect to every interaction,” the state’s announcement noted, highlighting her ability to support students while elevating the broader school community.
The other state honorees
As we shared on the OCDE Newsroom, Velasquez was recognized six weeks ago as Orange County’s Classified School Employee of the Year for Paraprofessional Services, selected from a competitive pool of district nominees.
She was then chosen from among 141 nominees as one of nine statewide honorees for 2026, representing a wide range of roles that support students every day — from transportation and nutrition services to technology and campus safety.
The other winners include a library media technician in San Diego County, a custodian in Shasta County, a food service lead in Stanislaus County, a student body clerk in Shasta County, a campus safety officer in Alameda County, a skilled trades professional in Los Angeles County, a technology specialist in Marin County and a bus driver in Humboldt County.
Together, the group reflects the essential, often behind-the-scenes work that keeps schools running and students supported across the state.
All of this year’s recipients will be recognized at a ceremony in Sacramento during Classified School Employee Week in May. Meanwhile, Velasquez stands out as California’s nominee for the national RISE Award, presented annually by the U.S. Department of Education to highlight classified employees who make an extraordinary impact on students and school communities.
“For Sunburst cadets, this recognition reflects something they already know,” said Dinah Ismail, principal of Sunburst Youth Academy. “Raelene brings consistency, care and high expectations to her work every day.”
Velasquez builds strong relationships with students while helping them stay focused and accountable, the principal said, adding that she plays a critical role in “creating an environment where cadets feel supported and can begin to see a path forward.”
“Her influence leaves a lasting impact on both the culture of the program and the lives of the cadets she serves,” Ismail said.