Inaugural “SELPY” Awards Honor Educators, Feature Student-Designed Trophies

The Kern County Consortium SELPA hosted its first-ever Empowering Students with Disabilities Awards — or “SELPYs” — on Thursday, May 15, at KCSOS’s City Centre in downtown Bakersfield. The event featured a luncheon recognizing standout educators and staff who have gone above and beyond to create inclusive, supportive, and empowering environments for students with disabilities.

“These awards were more than recognition — they were a celebration of the heart, dedication, and innovation that define our educators and support staff,” said Lee Knotts, executive director of the Kern County Consortium SELPA. “We feel that although focusing on improvement is always the goal, it is equally important to pause and recognize those who are doing amazing work today. When you pause to recognize the good things currently happening, it can help build the momentum for bigger and better improvements down the road.”

Adding a special touch to this inaugural celebration were the custom-designed trophies created by students in McFarland High School’s media arts pathway. The idea originated with assistant principal Benjamin Taylor, who approached media arts instructor Matthew Munro about leveraging the school’s latest technology to design awards that would directly honor educators serving students with special needs.

“I was immediately intrigued by the opportunity,” said Munro. “Over the past four years, I’ve worked to incorporate emerging technologies into our pathway, and this project gave my students a chance to use those skills in a meaningful way.”

Using recently acquired 3D printers, students have previously designed functional gear for the school’s photography program. But this assignment struck a deeper chord. Two students, Johnny Galvin and Rigoberto Chaidez, were particularly inspired, producing three design iterations before finalizing the award.

“Projects like this create lasting learning experiences — especially for students like Johnny and Rigo who have overcome academic challenges themselves,” Munro said.

Munro emphasized that real-world collaborations like this one help students connect their learning to their community.

“It was truly an honor to help create the awards,” he added. “These kinds of partnerships provide some of the most meaningful learning we can offer all year.”

2025 SELPY Honorees

Beatris Negrete
Instructional Aide
Elk Hills Elementary School District

Known affectionately as “Mrs. Betty,” Negrete is a tireless advocate for students, stepping into multiple roles across the small district. She is often the first on campus each day and is described as the backbone of the school’s support system. Her ability to identify students who may otherwise fall through the cracks has led to greater inclusion and success, including one Spanish-speaking student she personally supported to ensure language was never a barrier to belonging.

Sherry Belluomini
Speech Language Pathologist
Sequoia Elementary
Richland Union School District

A leader in augmentative communication, Belluomini created and implemented core boards throughout campus, including a permanent installation on the playground. These tools are now used by both students with significant needs and their general education peers. Her work has resulted in marked gains in student communication and a reduction in behavioral issues. As she prepares for retirement, colleagues praised her lifelong commitment to giving students a voice.

Nichole Gonzalez
General Education Teacher
Nueva Vista Language Academy
Delano Union School District

Gonzalez was selected for her seamless collaboration with the special education team. She embraced the challenge of supporting all RSP students in her classroom, maintaining high academic expectations while scaffolding for individual needs. Her classroom is not just inclusive — it’s a model of patience, respect, and teamwork. “She never once complained,” her nominator wrote, “and instead celebrated every success with her students and colleagues.”

John Merkle
Special Education Teacher
Erwin Owen High School
KCSOS Alternative Education

Merkle supports students with disabilities in a juvenile commitment program, bringing both academic rigor and emotional support to a setting often overlooked. Outside the classroom, he spends weekends and evenings coordinating outdoor adventures like hiking and river rafting, helping students rediscover joy and purpose. “He gives them a more positive outlook than they came in with,” one colleague noted.

David Garcia
Special Education Teacher
RESET Program at Discovery Elementary
Fruitvale School District

Garcia leads Fruitvale’s RESET class for students with significant behavioral needs, teaching with both compassion and structure. Using the district’s RISE values — Respect, Integrity, Self-Control, Empathy —alongside character-building curricula, Garcia helps students stabilize and successfully transition into less restrictive environments. Visitors from across the region have toured RESET to learn from his model of excellence.

Nicole Zandes
Principal
Valle Verde Elementary
Greenfield Union School Disrict

Zandes spearheaded a systems-level shift to inclusion by redesigning school schedules, embedding co-teaching, and prioritizing push-in supports. Her leadership resulted in increased academic performance, improved attendance, and a 16% rise in reported student belonging. She also hosted site visits and led districtwide inclusion coaching, positioning her campus as a regional model.

Jennifer Carr
Special Education Coordinator
Wasco Union Elementary School District

Carr leads with compassion and equity, playing a key role in implementing MTSS to ensure all students receive the support they need. She collaborates closely with staff and families, promotes inclusive practices, and provides proactive training in behavior and crisis support. Known for her approachability and student-centered decision-making, Carr fosters a culture of belonging and advocacy across her district.