“What an honor!” Nancy says of her teaching career in the NVUSD. Currently a

TK Teacher at Canyon Oaks Elementary, Nancy’s education began when she attended kindergarten at Donaldson Way. Years later, when her son began kindergarten, not only did he attend the same school as his mother, but they both had the same Kindergarten teacher! “She told me after months of volunteering in the classroom to get my teaching credential,” Nancy says, “because she said I had the gift of teaching. So I followed her advice and here I am - 23 years later!”

“Judith is an excellent employee and a valued member of our school and classroom community,” says he supervisor, Kimberly Murphy-Crane. “She is continually giving students praise and helping to support their language development through positive reinforcement.”

Judith - an Independence Facilitator at Snow Elementary and a five-year employee of the NVUSD - loves doing art projects with her students and is always finding new, fun activities to engage them in their learning.

When asked to describe her job role to an extraterrestrial who had just landed in the Napa Valley, she responds, “Busy, Busy, Busy!”

Jaime, the Head Custodian at Pueblo Vista Elementary, is “always ready to help teachers, students and families with a smile,” says Helen Rocca, his site principal. He began working for the NVUSD 8 years ago, after a family member recommended that he apply for a custodial position, starting out as a Swing Custodian until he became the Head Custodian 3 years ago. “What keeps me here is making the kids smile,” he says, “and knowing they’re learning in a clean and safe environment.” “Jaime completes his tasks with pride,” continues Principal Rocca. “He is a problem solver and works hard.”

Never dull!” is how Mariza describes her job.

Currently an Independence Facilitator at Snow Elementary School, Mariza has truly enjoyed her past six years of working with students who qualify for special education. She says of her students, “They are the ones who keep me here and keep me wanting to learn more so that I can help them reach their full potential.” Her supervisor, Kimberly-Murphy Crane, agrees: “Mariza is always thinking of new and engaging ways to keep the kids on task and learning...she is always willing to learn new things and been diligent about learning how our students can use AT and AAC to help navigate their educational journey.”

After nine years as the Attendance Secretary, Nicole is still excited, every day, to assist the parents, students, teachers and staff at Vintage High School in any way she can. She enjoys working with and getting to know the students as well as - in her own words - “our awesome VHS Staff.”

If you know Nicole, this statement doesn’t surprise you at all. She is an incredibly friendly, proud Napan with a strong work ethic. She attended NVUSD schools (Phillips Elementary, Silverado Middle and Napa High) and is extremely proud of her two sons, Trey (VHS ‘24) and Hayden (VHS ’27) and a big supporter of both their educational and athletic endeavors.

Jennifer has been with the NVUSD since 2008. Her first (and only) job has been working in our middle school Gateway program. Says Jennifer, “It was not the job that I had initially interviewed for, but it’s the perfect job for me!”

Viviana joined the NVUSD just over nine years ago. In that brief time, thanks to her experience, leadership and passion, our district developed a impactful new school role - that of Community & Parent Liaison - and truly transformed how we can better support all of our students and families.

Ryan is one our new employees - and a new teacher!

He works with 2nd graders at - coincidentally - Phillips Elementary School.

Or WAS it a coincidence? When asked about how this happened, Ryan says, “I planned on applying to any elementary teaching positions that were available in the Napa Valley. But when I saw there was a “Phillips Elementary” that was hiring, I had a feeling that I was meant to teach there.”

How many baseball parks have you been to? Have you ever wanted to see them all? Well, that’s exactly what Karina’s doing! Karina, her husband, Jeff, and their 14-year old son, Lorenzo - (a freshman at ACHS - ( pictured below right) are taking on the “MLB 30 Challenge.” Their goal is to visit all 30 MLB baseball ballparks.