Salinas Union High honors dozens of retirees and names teachers of the year, including district winner Peter Williams

The Salinas Union High School District recognized dozens of retiring educators, classified staff and district teachers of the year at its board meeting, with presentations from site principals and a parade of honorees across nearly every campus.

The board opened the meeting by inviting community school coordinators and site principals to present awards for the night. Several sites highlighted long careers and student-centered work: Allisal High recognized Mick Batalini for 35 years in the classroom, and Everett Alvarez singled out Steven Brown (27 years) and Jody Kaminskus (15 years). District leaders called attention to decades of service across multiple schools and departments.

Rancho San Juan teacher Peter Williams, the district'''s high school teacher of the year and the district winner for the evening, drew a string of public comments from current and former students who credited him with helping them navigate the college application process and with creating a supportive classroom culture. Student speaker Sophia Pelio said, “He earned teacher of the year for our district and more. He is the reason students like me stand here today,” and Benisa Obas described how Williams helped arrange accommodations that allowed her to continue thriving academically.

Board members and union representatives lauded the breadth of service recognized: principals introduced honorees, labor partners helped present resolutions to employees, and the board thanked families in the audience. The district'''s director of human resources, Arian Zamurio, assisted with the ceremony and staff noted that several classified winners advanced to county-level recognition.

The ceremony included awards for adult and career-technical education sites, recognition of community volunteers who run campus Cafe9itos, and celebration of teams that support student opportunities across the district. Trustees closed the recognition portion by congratulating honorees and noting the combined years of service represented by the retirees.

The board moved on to later agenda business after the recognition ceremony concluded.