LBUSD Employee Spotlight

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Ms. Liliana Alba, Lincoln Office Manager

Ms. Liliana Alba, our dedicated Office Manager, consistently goes above and beyond in her service to the students, staff, and families at Lincoln. A former Lincoln student herself, she brings a deep sense of pride and commitment to the community she has long been a part of.

Ms. Alba regularly steps outside her formal responsibilities to meet others' needs. Whether she is guiding a new student to class, offering support and perspective to teachers and parents, contributing to the school’s safety efforts, or responding to parent concerns, she approaches every task with care, confidentiality, and initiative. She has been seen sweeping the office, scrubbing trash cans, emptying trash, restocking paper towels when needed, calming irate parents, and cheering up sad students. Her presence is felt throughout the campus in both visible and behind-the-scenes ways, assisting with daily upkeep, ensuring teacher supplies are stocked, and maintaining a welcoming and orderly environment.

She is also known for her compassion and professionalism when working with families, skillfully de-escalating challenging situations, and providing comfort to students who may be having a difficult day. If that’s not enough, Ms. Alba collaborates closely with all departments, including supporting the school nurse, coordinating student picture days, assisting with recreation aide scheduling, and even mentoring staff members as they work toward completing their GED.

Affectionately known as “Ms. Lili,” she exemplifies what it means to be a team player and community leader. Her strong work ethic, spirit of service, and unwavering dedication have made a lasting impact on Lincoln. Simply put, Ms. Alba makes our school a better place every single day.

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Jon Gavero (Jon G.), School Intervention Specialist

Jon G. is the kind of presence students never forget. When the Los Angeles Rams hosted a STEAM and Sustainability Day at Colin Powell Academy in April, the moment Jon G. walked through the school gates, students immediately lit up. Voices rang out across campus: “Hey, what’s up, Jon G?” “What’s good, Jon G?” It was instant, genuine, and impossible to miss. The connection was real.

Jon G. greeted students with that same energy: fist bumps, smiles, and authentic conversation. He moved through a group of young men not as a visitor, but as someone they knew, trusted, and respected. He asked each student how they were doing and how their families were, and spoke to each by name. It was clear these relationships were built over time through consistency, care, and presence.

He later shared that he has known many of these students since elementary school and has had the privilege of watching them grow over the years. That is the power of showing up. Yes, Jon G. works with students. But more importantly, he invests in them, encourages them, and helps them see their value.

What stood out most was simple: students were genuinely happy to see him, and he was genuinely happy to see them. In a single moment, Jon G. reminded everyone around him that strong schools are built on strong relationships.

 

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Mrs. Martha Ensminger, Washington Parent Facilitator

At Washington, Martha Ensminger, our Parent Facilitator, is the kind of person every school hopes to have, and few are lucky enough to find. She is a trusted problem-solver, relationship-builder, and daily champion for students and families, bringing urgency, care, and results to work that truly matters.

She leads our ELOP after-school programs, maintaining 100% compliance, helping keep major systems running smoothly and aligned with district expectations. She handles complex responsibilities with consistency and precision, allowing others to focus on teaching and learning.

Where she truly shines, however, is with people. She has earned the nickname “parent whisperer” because families trust her. She knows how to listen, connect, and turn hesitation into partnership. She reaches families that others may struggle to engage and helps them feel welcomed, respected, and included.

She regularly leads parent sessions in both the mornings and evenings, creating real access for working families and ensuring parents have the tools, information, and confidence to support their children. Whether she is solving an issue, answering a question, or bridging communication between home and school, she gets it done with heart and professionalism.

Her impact is measurable in our systems, visible in our relationships, and felt across our entire school community, and Washington is nothing without her. Thank you, Ms. Ensminger.

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Michael Mendoza, Transportation Senior Office Assistant

Michael Mendoza is a true cornerstone of the Transportation Department and a colleague whom colleagues have relied on for decades. With deep institutional knowledge and years of experience, he is the person people turn to when answers matter most. Whether it is scheduling, transportation logistics, student routes, buses, or urgent day-to-day needs, Michael responds quickly, accurately, and with confidence. When the phones are ringing, and immediate support is needed, he is the one people trust to deliver.

Michael has spent his career doing what is right for the department and, most importantly, for kids. His commitment to service, professionalism, and problem-solving has made him an invaluable presence in a fast-moving environment.

Beyond his expertise, Michael is known for something just as important: the joy he brings to others. Fun-loving, easy-going, and family-oriented, he has a big heart and a gift for lifting the mood in any room. With his laughter, humor, and warm spirit, he makes challenging days feel lighter and reminds those around him not to take life too seriously.

Michael Mendoza’s impact reaches far beyond his title. He is trusted, respected, and genuinely appreciated, a valued team member whose legacy is built on service, kindness, and heart. And with this spotlight, we thank and celebrate him!

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Vincent Puth,  Poly ASB Director 

Vincent is a driving force behind the spirit, pride, and connection felt across the Poly community. A dedicated leader and tireless advocate for students, he consistently supports students, staff, and families through his leadership of ASB, where he has cultivated a culture rooted in authentic student voice, meaningful leadership, and school pride.

Vincent has a remarkable ability to turn ideas into experiences that bring people together. He helps ensure Poly students are visible, engaged, and proudly represented at community events such as the Marathon Burger opening, where the Poly Band and Cheer showcased the best of our school. He also creates life-shaping opportunities for students through experiences such as Poly North, a Human Relations Camp, and numerous clubs and campus activities that foster belonging, confidence, and connection.

His commitment to service extends far beyond campus. Vincent plays a key role in community-centered events that support families through holiday celebrations featuring gifts, arts and crafts, and entertainment, creating joy and lasting memories for those we serve.

Through strong partnerships with PTSA and trusted connections across the city, Vincent continually opens doors, builds bridges, and creates opportunities that uplift the entire Poly community. His leadership is visible, his impact is lasting, and his dedication helps make Poly a place where students thrive.

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Dr. Pamela Lovett, Center of Black Student Excellence, Excellence & Equity Coordinator

Dr. Pamela Lovett is a fixture in Long Beach Unified and a relentless champion for students, families, and educational excellence. Her impact is woven throughout the District, especially in the spaces where students need advocacy, opportunity, a sense of belonging, and a voice. Yes, she supports this work; more importantly, she helps lead, shape, and sustain it.

A respected leader in equity and excellence, Dr. Lovett has served LBUSD in multiple roles, bringing deep experience as an educator, mentor, strategist, and connector. Time and again, she shows up for students, for families, and for staff, and then shows up again. Her consistency, care, and unwavering commitment have made her a trusted force across the District.

Dr. Lovett has been instrumental in advancing opportunities that center and uplift Black students, including helping open the Center of Black Student Excellence, a powerful space dedicated to achievement, identity, joy, leadership, and community. She also leads the Black Literary Society, creating transformative opportunities for students to explore Black history, culture, scholarship, and intellectual excellence through reading, dialogue, and deeper learning.

Her leadership extends beyond programs. She mentors student leaders, including our student Board Member, conducts listening sessions that turn voices into action, and works closely with families and community partners to ensure students feel seen, heard, and supported. She understands that real progress begins with listening, trust, and sustained action.

What makes Dr. Lovett extraordinary is how she builds capacity with purpose, humility, and heart. Her legacy is visible in the students she empowers, the spaces she has helped create, and the hope she continues to inspire across LBUSD. Pam, take a bow, you’ve earned it. We see you! We thank you!

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Beyonce Gervacio, Addams Recreational Aide  

Ms. Beyonce is a pillar of our school community and the kind of person who makes a lasting impact the moment she arrives on campus. She leads by example among her peers, brings warmth and genuine care to every interaction with students, and shows up each day with a positive spirit that is both contagious and uplifting. Her presence helps set the tone for a welcoming, joyful, and supportive school environment.

And get this: she’s not missed a single day of school this entire school year. That speaks volumes. Her remarkable consistency reflects someone who deeply loves what she does, takes pride in her work, and cares wholeheartedly about her colleagues, her students, and the school community.

Ms. Beyonce is dependable, joyful, and a natural leader whose influence is felt in countless ways each day. She lifts others, inspires those around her, and represents the very best of Addams.

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Mr. Ryan Noble, Teacher-Librarian at Renaissance High School for the Arts

Mr. Ryan Noble, teacher-librarian at Renaissance High School for the Arts, is the kind of educator whose impact is felt beyond the library walls. A true instructional partner, he plays a central role in the 11th-grade U.S. History Research Paper, a demanding, semester-long project that challenges students to think critically, analyze complex sources, and craft meaningful academic arguments. 

He has gone beyond traditional support by co-planning curriculum, delivering engaging lessons, and working side by side with students to navigate research databases, refine claims, and strengthen their writing. His contributions extend into interdisciplinary work, including Action Civics projects that connect student research to real-world issues, empowering students to see themselves as informed, capable changemakers.

What sets Mr. Noble apart is his unwavering commitment to the whole child and the broader school community. He takes full ownership of every student he serves, supporting their academic and social-emotional growth. He is a constant presence for students and staff alike, collaborating across content areas, supporting research and literacy development, and fostering a culture of curiosity and inclusion. 

But wait, there’s more. 

He volunteers his personal time to support students through programs like Confluence Rising’s Building Bridges Camp, where he helps cultivate empathy, respect, and a commitment to justice. The result of his work is visible and lasting: Renaissance students leave as stronger writers, sharper thinkers, and more confident individuals, while families and staff alike benefit from the inclusive, student-centered environment he helps create.

Thank you, Mr. Noble, for being a cornerstone of the RHSA community.