Students and teachers honored at Coronado Unified board meeting
April 16, 2026 | Coronado Unified, School Districts, California
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The Coronado Unified School District opened its April board meeting by inviting four students to share how the district supports military-connected children and then honored several teachers of the year.
Ava Gardner (Silver Strand Elementary), Henry Fullwider (Village Elementary), Madeline Reddick (Coronado Middle School) and Dante Salata (Coronado High School) described student-led and counseling programs — including Anchored for Life, deployment and reunion kits, school tours for new students, military kids clubs, and wellness events — that they said help students adapt when families move or experience extended deployments. "Anchored for Life is an important group because military kids go through a lot and the more support they have the better," Ava told the board.
Trustee Palacios Peters recognized military-connected families and staff, saying the district serves a significant percentage of military children and staff and thanking the district's military liaison, Mindy Hayes.
The board then presented teacher-of-the-year honors at each site. Principals and colleagues praised nominees for long service, classroom leadership and community contributions: Lisa Kinzel (Silver Strand Elementary), Ashley Fair (Village Elementary), Ramona Loisel (CMS), Michelle Walker (CHS) and Katie Quinley (Adult Transition Program and 2026 District Teacher of the Year). Presenters emphasized instructional innovation, mentorship, inclusion, and years of service; speakers noted that several recipients have been with the district for more than a decade.
The board recessed briefly after the recognitions and returned to the regular agenda.
Ava Gardner (Silver Strand Elementary), Henry Fullwider (Village Elementary), Madeline Reddick (Coronado Middle School) and Dante Salata (Coronado High School) described student-led and counseling programs — including Anchored for Life, deployment and reunion kits, school tours for new students, military kids clubs, and wellness events — that they said help students adapt when families move or experience extended deployments. "Anchored for Life is an important group because military kids go through a lot and the more support they have the better," Ava told the board.
Trustee Palacios Peters recognized military-connected families and staff, saying the district serves a significant percentage of military children and staff and thanking the district's military liaison, Mindy Hayes.
The board then presented teacher-of-the-year honors at each site. Principals and colleagues praised nominees for long service, classroom leadership and community contributions: Lisa Kinzel (Silver Strand Elementary), Ashley Fair (Village Elementary), Ramona Loisel (CMS), Michelle Walker (CHS) and Katie Quinley (Adult Transition Program and 2026 District Teacher of the Year). Presenters emphasized instructional innovation, mentorship, inclusion, and years of service; speakers noted that several recipients have been with the district for more than a decade.
The board recessed briefly after the recognitions and returned to the regular agenda.
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