Skip To Main Content

J.O. Combs Unified School District Staff Excellence Awards

The J.O. Combs Unified School District, along with the Combs Education Foundation, was thrilled to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our staff at the Staff Excellence Awards Ceremony on April 9th. We recognized those individuals who excel for our students and community. From innovative teaching to unwavering support, your contributions are invaluable, and we are so proud of each and every one of you. Thank you for your continued commitment to excellence!

Highlights and video from the April 9, 2026 Staff Excellence Awards Ceremony:
Excellence in Teaching Award
A group of people, including several women and a man, are standing together in front of a backdrop with the %22Combs Education Foundation%22 logo.

Krista Reiling, Naomi Goodwin, Diane Schnell, Kandace Gutierrez, Jessica Overall, Christine Pirtle, Erica Gonzales, Melissa Hobbs

Rising Star Award
A group of people, some dressed formally and others casually, standing together in what appears to be a stage or performance setting, with a dark background behind them.

Tori Tracy, Kelly Davis, LC Thomas, Catherine Benfield, Alexandra Rodriguez

Event Photo Gallery

The image shows several blue, star-studded vases or trophies with the text %22Excellence in Education%22 and %22Combs Education Foundation%22 printed on them, arranged in a row against a dark background.
Two women, one with long blonde hair and the other with dark hair, are sitting on red chairs in what appears to be a waiting area or lobby, with a window visible in the background.
A group of four people, including two women and two men, are gathered around a table filled with various dishes and drinks, appearing to be enjoying a meal together in a cozy indoor setting.
A large crowd of people, mostly adults, gathered in a spacious indoor venue with glass walls and banners displayed on the walls.
The image shows a collection of metal containers, likely used for storing or serving beverages, arranged on a table with a dark tablecloth in the background.
The image shows four people standing together, all wearing glasses and smiling. The background appears to be an indoor setting, with a plain wall behind them.
Three smiling individuals, two women and one man, posing together in what appears to be an indoor setting with a plain background.
Two smiling women with long, wavy hair and glasses are standing in what appears to be a home setting, with various framed artwork and decorations visible in the background.
The image shows three individuals standing together against a dark background. The person on the left is a man with a beard wearing a black shirt, the person in the middle is a woman with glasses wearing a patterned blouse, and the person on the right is an older man with a beard wearing a colorful tie.
The image shows three people standing together, with a man in a black shirt, a woman in a white dress, and an older man in a gray suit.
The image shows three people standing together, two men and one woman, in what appears to be a professional or formal setting.
Three individuals, two men and one woman, are standing together in what appears to be a professional or formal setting, with a dark background behind them.
The image shows three people standing together, a man with a beard and glasses, a woman with glasses, and an older man with a long beard and colorful clothing.
The image shows three individuals standing together, with a man on the left wearing a black shirt, a woman in the middle with long hair, and an older man on the right wearing a gray suit and tie.
The image shows three individuals standing together on a stage or platform, with a dark background behind them. The person on the left appears to be a man wearing a dark shirt, the person in the middle appears to be a woman wearing a gray sweater, and the person on the right appears to be an older man wearing a gray suit.
Three individuals, two men and one woman, are standing together in a dark setting. The man on the left is wearing a black polo shirt, the woman in the middle is wearing a beige patterned cardigan, and the man on the right is wearing a gray suit and tie.
The image shows three individuals standing together, with a man in a police uniform, a woman in a light-colored shirt, and an older man in a suit and tie.
The image shows three people standing together, two men and one woman, all wearing casual clothing and appearing to be in a professional or formal setting.
Three individuals, two men and one woman, are standing together in what appears to be a stage or performance setting, with a dark background behind them.
Three individuals, two men and one woman, are standing together in what appears to be a studio or performance setting. The individuals are dressed in casual and formal attire, suggesting a mix of professional and personal contexts.
The image shows three people standing together, with a man in a gray shirt, a woman in a black dress, and an older man in a suit and tie.
Three individuals, two men and one woman, are standing together in a dark setting. The woman is wearing a red and white patterned dress, while the men are dressed in a casual shirt and a suit with a colorful tie.
The image shows three people standing together, a man with a beard and glasses, a woman in a purple shirt, and an older man in a suit and tie.
The image shows three individuals standing together, with a man on the left wearing a gray shirt, a woman in the middle wearing a brown top, and an older man on the right wearing a gray suit.
The image shows three individuals standing together, two men and one woman, all dressed in formal attire. The background appears to be a stage or performance setting, with a dark backdrop and lighting.
Three men in formal attire stand together against a dark background.
The image shows three individuals standing together, with a man on the left wearing a black shirt, a woman in the middle wearing a bright orange and white polka dot blouse, and an older man on the right wearing a gray suit and tie. They appear to be in a professional or formal setting, with a dark background behind them.
The image shows three people standing together, a man with a beard and glasses, a woman with long hair, and an older man with a white beard, all smiling and dressed casually.
The image shows three individuals standing together, a man with a beard and glasses, a woman with long hair, and an older man with a white beard, all dressed in casual attire.
The image shows three people standing together, two men and one woman, all wearing formal attire and posing for a photograph.
Three individuals, two men and one woman, are standing together in what appears to be a studio or stage setting with a dark background.
The image shows three people standing together, with a man on the left wearing a black shirt, a woman in the middle wearing a floral blouse, and an older man on the right wearing a gray suit.
The image shows three people standing together, with a man on the left wearing a black shirt, a woman in the middle wearing a patterned top, and an older man on the right wearing a gray suit and tie.
The image shows three people standing together, with a man on the left wearing a black shirt, a woman in the middle wearing a denim jacket, and an older man on the right wearing a patterned tie.
The image shows three people posing together, with a man on the left wearing a black shirt, a woman in the middle wearing a floral dress, and an older man on the right wearing a gray suit. They appear to be in a studio or event setting with a blue backdrop behind them.
Three individuals, two men and one woman, are standing together in a dark background. The woman is wearing a t-shirt with a portrait printed on it, while the men are wearing casual attire. The older man has a long beard and is wearing a suit.
Three individuals, two men and one woman, are standing together in front of a blue background.
Three men, one with a beard and glasses, one with a tie, and one with a gray beard, are standing together in what appears to be a professional setting.
The image shows three people standing together on a stage, with a blue-lit background behind them.
Three individuals, a man with a beard, a woman with long hair, and an older man with a gray beard, are standing together in what appears to be a television studio or performance setting, with a dark background and lighting equipment visible.
The image shows three individuals standing together, with a man in the middle wearing a floral-patterned shirt, flanked by a man on the left wearing glasses and a man on the right with a long gray beard, all against a backdrop of blue curtains.
The image shows three people posing together, with a man on the left wearing a black shirt, a woman in the middle wearing a polka dot top, and an older man on the right wearing a gray suit.
The image shows three people standing together, two men and one woman, in what appears to be a professional or formal setting with a dark background.
The image shows three people posing together, with a man in a black shirt, a woman in a red jacket, and an older man in a gray suit.
The image shows three people standing together, with a man in a black shirt, a woman in a denim jacket, and an older man in a gray suit.
A group of young people, likely students, posing together in what appears to be a theater or auditorium setting, with rows of seats visible in the background.