COVINA, CA – Covina-Valley Unified School District ushered in the new school year by greeting teachers and staff with a hearty breakfast, celebrations, an inspirational keynote speaker, and more at its Welcome Back Convocation on Aug. 17.

The convocation at Covina High School included a special recognition of the Teacher of the Year and Classified Employee of the Year, showcasing the excellence of C-VUSD teachers and staff. The District also screened a creative welcome-back video featuring preparations for the new school year to excite staff for the return to campuses.

“We wanted to recognize all of the exceptional work and dedication that our teachers and staff devote to our students every day and inspire them to keep doing what they do as we head into this new school year,” Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Eminhizer said. “We are extremely excited for everything Covina-Valley has in store this year!”

Veteran, author, and motivational speaker Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch delivered the inspirational keynote speech at the District’s convocation. During her two decades of service, Kickbusch broke barriers and set records in the military by becoming the highest-ranking Hispanic woman in the Combat Support Field of the U.S. Army.

After she retired from the military, Kickbusch founded the human development company Educational Achievement Services, Inc. Her book, “Journey to the Future: A Roadmap for Success for Youth,” provides techniques for children to develop higher self-esteem and achieve their goals by establishing a framework for early leadership development.

Kickbusch shared insights into how teachers and staff can best support their students and help shape them into the next generation of leaders, as well as how to aid them in creating, pursuing, and achieving their goals.
“We were fortunate to hear from such an awe-inspiring woman as Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch,” Dr. Eminhizer said. “Her words of inspiration carried our staff into the 2023-24 school year and will continue to encourage everyone to inspire and motivate our students to achieve their greatness.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

CVUSD_CONVOCATION1: Covina-Valley Unified honors Joy Glaspy (left) as the Teacher of the Year and Jesus Mercado (middle) as the Classified Employee of the Year at the District’s Welcome Back Convocation on Aug. 17. Glaspy and Mercado were both recognized for the hard work and dedication they devote to C-VUSD students every day.

CVUSD_CONVOCATION2: Covina-Valley Unified School District held their Welcome Back Convocation on Aug. 17, where staff had the opportunity to hear from keynote speaker Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch. Kickbusch shared insights on how to best support students and help shape them into the next generation of leaders.

CVUSD_CONVOCATION3: Covina-Valley Unified Board of Education Clerk Simon Wright helps kick off the District’s Welcome Back Convocation on Aug. 17 by shooting t-shirts into the crowd. Teachers and staff were greeted to the start of the 2023-24 school year with a delicious breakfast and celebration.