Employee of the Month
Outstanding PfISD employees/substitutes are recognized at the District level, both as a reward for exceptional performance and as a model to other employees. Based upon nominations from other PfISD staff, PfISD will name a Professional Support and a Substitute Employee of the Month (EOM) each month. Any PfISD employee/substitute can nominate another employee as EOM.
Once the Employees of the Month are determined, they will be recognized by the Board of Trustees and on the PfISD website. For each month's EOM, nominations will be accepted through the 15th of the prior month.
Submit an Employee of the Month Nomination
March 2025
Maria Carmen Ruiz Alonzo, Kindergarten Teacher ROES
Professional Employee of the Month
María Carmen Ruiz Alonso is the heart and soul of the kindergarten team. She is not just a collaborator, she is a mentor, a supporter, and a leader who brings out the best in those around her. She constantly shares her expertise, innovative ideas, and resources, ensuring that both new and experienced teachers feel supported. She never hesitates to step up when a colleague needs assistance. Her dedication to teamwork strengthens not only her immediate colleagues but also the entire school community.
Her impact extends beyond her own campus. Her passion for teaching and her commitment to excellence have made her a source of inspiration for educators throughout the district. Her ability to lead by example makes her an invaluable asset to the entire Pflugerville ISD community."
María Carmen embodies positivity in every aspect of her work. She arrives each day with enthusiasm, kindness, and an unwavering dedication to her students and coworkers. Her energy is infectious—she lifts the spirits of everyone around her, making the school environment a joyful and welcoming place.
No challenge is too great for her; she faces every obstacle with determination and a problem-solving mindset. Her patience, warmth, and encouragement create an environment where students feel safe, valued, and eager to learn.
María Carmen does not just fulfill her job duties—she far exceeds them in every way. She is a perfectionist in the best sense, ensuring that every lesson is engaging, every activity is meaningful, and every student receives individualized attention. She dedicates countless hours outside of her contractual obligations to refine her lessons, create interactive materials, and provide additional support to students who need it. She is committed to excellence and does not settle for anything less than the best for her students.
Pflugerville ISD is incredibly fortunate to have María Carmen as part of its team. Overall, she is amazing and Pflugerville ISD is very grateful for her dedication to the families, the staff and this district.
March 2025
Paula Dean, Education Associate, Life Skills, HHS
Support Employee of the Month
Ms. Paula is someone who is collaborative, reliable, and positive. She communicates effectively, actively listen to others, and contributes her skills and ideas while respecting different perspectives. She is adaptable and open to feedback, always willing to support teammates and step in when needed. Her strong work ethic ensures she meets deadlines and fulfills responsibilities. Most importantly, Paula brings a positive attitude, fostering a supportive and motivated team environment. Her presence helps build trust and cohesion, making her an invaluable part of our group effort.
Ms. Paula always has a positive attitude in her job and approaches her work with enthusiasm, resilience, and a solution-oriented mindset. She embraces challenges as opportunities to grow and stays motivated even in tough situations. Her optimism is contagious, uplifting her colleagues and creating a productive work environment.
She is proactive, adaptable, and always willing to help others. Instead of focusing on problems, she seeks solutions and remains open to feedback. Her energy and professionalism make her a joy to work with, inspiring those around her to stay engaged and perform at their best.
Ms. Paula takes initiative, anticipates needs and finds ways to contribute beyond her job description. She consistently delivers high-quality work, often exceeding expectations, and willingly takes on additional responsibilities to support her team. Her commitment to excellence is evident in her attention to detail, creative problem-solving, and willingness to mentor or assist others. She doesn’t just complete tasks—she looks for ways to improve processes, enhance teamwork, and create a lasting positive impact in her workplace. Her dedication and passion make her an invaluable asset to any organization.
Ms. Paula is a true servant leader and leads by example. She is invaluable to the Special Education team at Hendrickson.
Overall, she is outstanding. She has built a great relationship with our staff and Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for her dedication to our students, our staff and this district.
March 2025
Tanda Maxwell, GE, Mott ES
Guest Educator of the Month
Tanda is a standout team player who brings incredible value to the essential academics classroom. As a guest educator, she seamlessly integrates with the regular teaching staff, always willing to collaborate and help wherever needed. Her ability to step into different situations and provide consistent support ensures a smooth experience for both students and teachers. She understands the importance of teamwork and works effortlessly to contribute to the classroom's success.
Tanda’s positive attitude is a breath of fresh air, especially in the fast-paced and ever-changing environment of the essential academics classroom. She approaches each day with enthusiasm, encouraging students and staff alike. Her positivity helps create a supportive and welcoming atmosphere where students feel safe and motivated to engage. No matter the challenge, Tanda’s attitude remains uplifting, making her a beloved presence in the classroom.
Tanda consistently goes above and beyond by offering incredible emotional support to the staff. She provides guidance and encouragement, reminding us of the passion and purpose behind the work we do. Her presence is uplifting, and she has a unique ability to boost morale, even on the toughest days. Tanda’s emotional support and positive energy make her an invaluable part of our team.
Overall, we are very fortunate to have her in our district and furthermore as part of our Guest Educator Team. Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for her dedication to our students, staff, and this district.
- Professional Employee
Teresa Moyer, SPED Inclusions HS
Professional Employee of the Month
Teresa exemplifies the qualities of a dedicated team player and maintains a consistently positive attitude, inspiring those around her to perform at their best. Her exceptional organizational skills allow her to create clear and efficient documentation, including detailed Excel spreadsheets, streamlining processes and boosting overall productivity for her team. Teresa goes above and beyond her duties by covering ARDs, providing emotional support to her colleagues, and prioritizing the well-being of others and students.
As Teresa prepares to embark on her well-deserved retirement, we celebrate her unwavering positivity and the profound impact she has had on our team and school community. Her cheerful demeanor, steadfast dedication, and ability to uplift those around her have been nothing short of inspiring. Her optimistic attitude has created a nurturing and supportive environment for both her colleagues and the students she’s worked with throughout the years.
Her legacy of kindness, professionalism, and encouragement will continue to resonate long after her departure. She has truly been a shining example of how positivity can transform the workplace and the lives of those she’s touched.
She consistently demonstrates a proactive approach, arriving an hour before the school day begins to ensure all tasks are completed to a high standard. She is also a reliable leader, her commitment to mentorship is evident in the success of the first-year teachers she has guided.
Overall, she is amazing and Pflugerville ISD is very grateful for her dedication to the students, the staff and this district.
- Support Employee
Heidi Skellen Education Associate, Life Skills
Support Employee of the Month
Heidi is always flexible with her schedule covering classes or taking a different lunch when we have people out. She has become our campus go to when people need help. She has come in early to set up for campus events and will always bring things from home to support her colleagues in whatever they need.
Heidi demonstrates an unwavering positive attitude that is both infectious and inspiring. She consistently approaches her responsibilities with enthusiasm and dedication even on days she isn't feeling the best for undesirable tasks. She is our campus' role model for fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for both students and staff.
Heidi has dedicated countless hours to training, mentoring, and encouraging our students, ensuring they are well-prepared and confident to participate in everything in and out of the school day. She has been instrumental in planning and coordinating field trips and working with other teachers on campus to work on unified events with our program. She also spends hours outside of the school day attending and watching our students in Special Olympics, dance recitals, and so much more.
Heidi is always punctual and demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility and accountability. She is a leader and a role model for the other educational assistants on campus. She embodies the core values of PFISD!
Overall, she is outstanding. She has built a great relationship with our students and our staff. Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for her dedication to our district.
- Guest Educator
Elisa Martinez, GE, Rowe Lane ES
Guest Educator of the Month
Elisa always encourages her classroom team. She will rush to help out any teacher, and will identify when there may be a moment to take partial burden off a challenging situation to give her team a breather. She will support every idea and give productive feedback to make things better. She always comes to school with a bright positive attitude and it spreads through the classroom.
Elisa always says “Yes, we can do that!” She encourages every idea and helps brainstorm and create the best plan. She comes to work every day with a smile and the smile lasts throughout the entire day up to saying goodbye. It is easy to look forward to coming to work when I know she will be working in our classroom. She also has so much love for the students.
Elisa is always doing the little things in the background that make a big difference, she is everywhere all at once and if she is ever absent, it is felt throughout the entire classroom from the teachers to the students. She is the most creative person I have met and the most support I have received since starting here at Rowe Lane!
Overall, we are very fortunate to have her in our district and furthermore as part of our Guest Educator Team. Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for her dedication to our students, staff, and this district.
- ROES
- Support Employee
Clara Espinosa, Exec. Admin. Associate to the CFO
Support Employee of the Month
Clara consistently demonstrates her commitment to teamwork by fostering collaboration across departments. She is also quick to lend a hand when her colleagues face tight deadlines, even if the tasks are outside her usual scope of responsibilities. Her willingness to step in and assist showcases her dedication to the success of the entire team. Clara’s positivity is infectious and sets the tone for the office. Whether handling challenging schedules or navigating last-minute changes, she remains calm, solution-oriented, and supportive. Her ability to stay upbeat during high-pressure moments boosts team morale and encourages a productive work environment.
Clara’s commitment to excellence consistently exceeds expectations. In addition to her primary responsibilities, she gladly assists with receptionist duties, allowing the full-time to take breaks and even offering support when there is an overflow of visitors. Furthermore, Clara took the initiative to organize the department's quarterly meetings for campus and department bookkeepers to share district procedures and best practices in financial management. These contributions demonstrate her forward-thinking approach and genuine investment in the organization’s success.
Clara’s professionalism and integrity are exemplary. She is a trusted employee and ensures that sensitive matters are handled with discretion and respect. Her exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail have made her an invaluable resource to the finance department and PfISD.
Clara Espinosa stands out as an exemplary employee whose contributions, attitude, and commitment to teamwork make her highly deserving of this recognition.
Overall, she is outstanding. She has built a great relationship with our staff and Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for her dedication to our staff and our district.
- Professional Employee
Julie Schwarz, Family Engagement Specialist
Professional Employee of the Month
Julie plays a critical role in bridging the gap between school and home, ensuring that families feel connected, informed, and empowered. Her collaborative spirit is evident in every interaction—whether it’s partnering with teachers and administrators to address a family’s unique needs, stepping in to support special education initiatives, or sharing insights to strengthen our overall approach to family engagement.
What truly sets Julie apart is her unwavering positivity. No matter how challenging the situation, Julie approaches every task with enthusiasm, compassion, and a solutions-focused mindset. This attitude has a ripple effect, inspiring others to stay motivated and fostering a culture of collaboration and trust within our team.
Beyond their assigned duties, Julie consistently takes the initiative to identify opportunities for improvement and implement creative solutions. Whether organizing workshops to support parents, creating resources to enhance family communication, or volunteering to assist with campus-wide events, Julie always seeks to make a lasting impact. Julie’s dedication and performance not only elevate the role of Family Engagement Specialist but also contributes to the overall success of our district. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this recognition.
Overall, she is amazing and Pflugerville ISD is very grateful for her dedication to the families, the staff and this district.