Classified Employee of the Year

View Slideshow

The Long Beach Unified School District is proud to announce Michael J. De-Four, a plant supervisor at Browning High School, as the 2024 Classified Employee of the Year! 

De-Four has worked for LBUSD for 27 years, serving as a plant supervisor for 22 years and as a custodian for five years. He has been part of the Browning community since the school’s opening in 2017.

“I feel overwhelmed with joy and satisfaction at this moment. I am honored, happy and grateful that my hard work and commitment are being recognized,” said De-Four. “I have plenty more work to do and I enjoy every minute of it, as well as the significant impact I contribute every day to students, staff and Long Beach Unified.”

“Long Beach Unified is incredibly proud to recognize Michael J. De-Four as the 2024 Classified Employee of the Year,” said Superintendent Dr. Jill A. Baker. “His dedication and hard work over his 27 years of service have had a profound impact on our Long Beach Unified community. He is a true reflection of the Vision 2035 Adult Portrait and its core values. His commitment to excellence exemplifies the best of our district. Congratulations, Michael, on this well-deserved honor.”

LBUSD announced this year’s winner at the Classified Employee Celebration on Friday, May 24. The annual event honors all classified employees and is made possible by donations from private sponsors, organizations and school district managers and administrators.

This year, the district received over 100 nominations for the award, which were narrowed down to 11 finalists, including De-Four. All nominations were submitted by colleagues and reviewed by a committee of classified employees.

The remaining 10 finalists were:

• Roberto A. Castillo, an instructional aide at Tucker.
• Evan L. Shegina, an instructional aide at Lakewood High School.
• Karen L. Foote, an instructional aide for the Adult Community Transition program at Browning High School.
• Beatriz Camarillo-Roach, an instructional aide at Wilson High School.
• Marcus D. Egland, a gang intervention specialist for LBUSD School Safety.
• Maribel Gonzalez, a transitional services specialist at the Bethune Homeless Education program.
• Juanita Wooldridge, intermediate office assistant at Educational Partnership High School. 
• Marcus Ricard, a behavior intervention assistant for the LBUSD Office of School Support Services. 
• Elizabeth Kamae, a custodian at Holmes Elementary School.
• Vanessa J. Leos Lugo, an office supervisor at Browning High School.