From left, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, Raelene Velasquez, Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Aller, Sunburst Youth Academy Director Lt. Col. Sarah Rambo, Principal Dinah Ismail, OCDE Executive Director of Special Education Dr. Amita Cloke and OCDE Manager of Human Resources Support Services Lorena Villa pose for a photo during the 2026 California Classified School Employees of the Year recognition ceremony in Sacramento. (Courtesy California Department of Education) 
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond poses for a photo with California’s 2026 Classified School Employees of the Year during a recognition ceremony May 20 in Sacramento. (Courtesy California Department of Education)
Quick look: Sunburst Youth Academy paraeducator Raelene Velasquez was recognized in Sacramento on May 20 as one of California’s 2026 Classified School Employees of the Year and as the state’s nominee for the national RISE Award.
Sunburst Youth Academy paraeducator Raelene Velasquez was honored Wednesday in Sacramento during a statewide ceremony recognizing California’s 2026 Classified School Employees of the Year.
Hosted by the California Department of Education during Classified School Employee Week, the May 20 event recognized nine classified employees from across the state for their service and contributions to school communities. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond joined education leaders, school staff and families at the celebration, which was held at the Hilton Sacramento Arden West in downtown Sacramento.
Velasquez attended the ceremony alongside Sunburst Youth Academy Principal Dinah Ismail, Sunburst Youth Academy Director Lt. Col. Sarah Rambo, Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Aller, OCDE Executive Director of Special Education Dr. Amita Cloke and OCDE Human Resources Support Services Manager Lorena Villa.
Velasquez, who works at the Orange County Department of Education’s Sunburst Youth Academy in Los Alamitos, was recognized in the Paraprofessional Services category and selected as California’s nominee for the national Recognizing Inspiring School Employees, or RISE, Award, which honors classified school employees who make exceptional contributions to students and school communities nationwide.
According to the California Department of Education, this year’s honorees were selected from 141 statewide nominations representing a wide range of classified school employee roles.
“For me, this recognition is an incredible honor,” Velasquez said. “To be recognized within ACCESS is amazing in itself, but to be recognized at county level, then state level and now nominated for national recognition, it is an indescribable feeling.”
Velasquez said working with student cadets at Sunburst Youth Academy continues to motivate and inspire her each day.
“My students are my why,” she said. “Cadets remind me every day why my presence is important in their journey.”
Sunburst Youth Academy Principal Ismail said the recognition reflects the impact Velasquez has on students through her daily work and relationships with cadets.
“Raelene’s recognition reflects the impact she has on our cadets every single day,” Ismail said. “She leads with compassion, consistency and high expectations, creating meaningful relationships that help students feel supported, valued and capable of success.”