LBUSD Employee Spotlight

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Toiya Smith, Administrative Assistant, Elementary Office

For the past two years, Toiya Smith has served as the steady, compassionate anchor of our Elementary Office, often becoming the very first point of contact for families in moments of stress, urgency, or uncertainty. Her role requires exceptional patience and emotional intelligence. Every day, Toiya fields a wide range of parent concerns, from scheduling issues and attendance questions to complex family challenges that arrive without warning. She listens deeply, gathers information quickly, and moves with care, always working to calm heightened emotions and guide families toward solutions.

The volume and intensity of needs that cross her desk would overwhelm many, but Toiya consistently meets each situation with grace. She navigates negativity, frustration, and fear with a calm presence, turning difficult moments into productive conversations. Her ability to mediate conflicts, clarify misunderstandings, and bring immediate clarity to complicated issues has made her a trusted partner to both families and staff. She doesn’t just answer questions, she restores confidence, builds understanding, and helps people feel genuinely supported.

Before joining the Elementary Office, Toiya served as an Assistant Principal at Lafayette, an experience that now strengthens her instincts and enhances her effectiveness. She understands school systems, family dynamics, and the pressures students and educators face. That insight allows her to assess situations quickly and provide thoughtful, informed guidance that genuinely makes a difference.

And while her job is demanding, Toiya brings a warm, bubbly personality to everything she does. Whether greeting a child, assisting a parent, or collaborating with colleagues, she radiates kindness and positivity. People feel welcomed in her presence. She makes the office feel accessible, inviting, and safe, a place where families know they will be heard and respected.

Her work may be behind the scenes, but its impact is felt schoolwide. We are grateful for her dedication, professionalism, and the genuine care she pours into our community every single day.

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Jeannie Corona, MacArthur Nutrition Service Supervisor 1

If you’ve ever stepped into MacArthur’s cafeteria, you felt Jeannie Corona’s impact. She’s the bright, smiling force who turns a cafeteria line into a moment of connection. For 15 years, she’s been fueling LBUSD students with energy, kindness, and heart.

Yes, she serves meals. But more importantly, she serves stability. For some kids, the food she provides is the only meal they can count on that day, and she takes that responsibility seriously. She shows up early, works fast, never cuts corners, and somehow still makes every student feel seen. From TK to fifth grade, she knows their faces, their personalities, their stories. Watching them grow up humbles her, and she says their smiles are the best part of her job.

And Jeannie brings joy wherever she goes: whether she’s greeting students with a grin, dressing up for Halloween, or handing out bananas and water at LBUSD marathons. She’s the person who shows up, pitches in, and lifts the energy of every space she’s in.

A Wilson High School graduate and former student aide, Jeannie has worked her way through every rung of Nutrition Services, including student worker and intermediate service worker, and is now Nutrition Services Supervisor I at MacArthur. Her story is LBUSD: homegrown, hardworking, and deeply committed to kids.

MacArthur families adore her. Staff rely on her. Students run to her, a reminder that sometimes the most significant impact comes from the simplest acts of care.

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Gayle Mashburn, Millikan Head Counselor

Some people walk into a school and quietly change the course of other people’s lives. Gayle Mashburn does it every single day. To her colleagues, Gayle is a mentor, a steady anchor, and the person people call when they need clarity, encouragement, or simply someone they can trust without hesitation.

A staff member who began her career as a counseling clerk at Long Beach Poly remembers meeting Gayle for the first time. Gayle immediately recognized potential in her, even before she recognized it in herself. That moment changed everything. Gayle encouraged her to return to school, motivated her to pursue her Master’s in Counseling, and then stood by her throughout the journey. She guided, mentored, celebrated, and pushed her forward, step by step.

That’s what Gayle does: she lifts others into their next chapter.

Another colleague describes Gayle’s leadership with a single word: exceptional. Counselor meetings run smoothly because of Gayle’s planning, urgency, and ability to turn conversations into clear, actionable plans. When unexpected challenges arise, she is the one who can solve them quickly and calmly.

She is the person who steps in without hesitation, whether it’s covering a caseload when a colleague is out, supporting team members during family emergencies, or conducting critical assessments when others are unavailable. Her presence creates stability. Her actions build trust.

Gayle’s impact extends far beyond her team. She is a tireless advocate for every student in her care. Whether it’s PSAT/SAT coordination, incoming freshman programming, master scheduling, or graduation honors, her work is detailed, thoughtful, and grounded in what students need to thrive. She collaborates closely with the College & Career Center and Wellness Center, ensuring students receive balanced support: academic, social-emotional, and future-focused.

For 26 years, 10 at Wilson, another 10 at Poly, and now six remarkable years at Millikan, Gayle has poured her soul into LBUSD. She shows up for her team, stands tall for her students, and leaves every space stronger than she found it.

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Julio Hernandez, Plant Supervisor, Lowell Elementary

Anyone who steps onto the Lowell Elementary campus quickly learns one thing: Julio Hernandez is the force that keeps this school humming. As Plant Supervisor, Julio brings a rare blend of pride, skill, and heart to every inch of the campus. Yes, he’s in charge of maintaining the school. But more so, he elevates it, creating a space where students feel safe, cared for, and ready to learn the moment they arrive.

His day begins long before most people unlock their doors. He’s on the grounds preparing classrooms, restoring spaces, and problem-solving. A flickering light, a last-minute event setup, a teacher who needs help urgently, and Julio is already moving. His instinct to step in, fix things, and support others is legendary at Lowell. He is the person everyone relies on because he never hesitates, never complains, and always delivers.

Then, there’s the way Julio carries himself. He greets students and families with warmth. He treats the campus like his own home. He builds trust without saying a word.

Students wave to him. Staff depend on him. Families know him by name. The pride he pours into the school is visible everywhere: from spotless hallways to thriving outdoor spaces that create an environment that feels genuinely cared for.

Lowell Elementary shines brighter because of Julio Hernandez. His work, often unseen, makes a difference every single day. We are profoundly grateful for the dedication, craftsmanship, and heart he brings to Lowell.

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Veronica Bustamante, Human Resources Technician

For more than 12 years, Veronica Bustamante has been a steady force within LBUSD. She started as an Administrative Secretary at TISB, moved to Millikan High School, and eventually joined the Personnel Commission, first as a Human Resources Assistant and now as a Human Resources Technician. Along the way, she became the person people relied on: steady, knowledgeable, and deeply committed to the District's mission and vision.

What sets Veronica apart is how she shows up for people. Applicants anxious about an exam, employees navigating opportunities, or community members with questions all experience the same thing: dignity, equity, and genuine kindness.

Inside the Commission, Veronica is the grounding force. When the day is chaotic, she’s the calm voice. When someone seems overwhelmed, she’s the one to check in. And when the office needs warmth, energy, or a spark, she makes it happen, decorating the lobby, organizing celebrations, and sharing her home-cooked dishes. She turns an office into a community and reminds people that work can feel like family.

Her commitment extends outside the day-to-day. Veronica leads food drives, encourages kindness campaigns like “Wear a Cardigan” Day for World Kindness Day, and consistently finds ways to support families in need. Giving back is part of who she is.

The Personnel Commission is better because Veronica is in it. Her work ethic, creativity, and steady support strengthen the team and elevate the experience of everyone who has the privilege of working alongside her. Her impact is lasting, meaningful, and felt across the organization.

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Lynne Bogardus, Teacher at Naples Bayside Academy

For more than 30 years, Lynne Bogardus has been a cornerstone of the Naples Bayside Academy community, the kind of educator whose presence is felt the moment you step onto campus.

As the teacher of a  4/5 combination class, Lynne brings exceptional skill in understanding each student’s unique strengths and needs. She creates a classroom where every child feels supported, challenged, and genuinely known. Students rise to her high expectations because Lynne inspires them to believe in their own potential.

Families trust her deeply. Students feel safe with her. Colleagues admire her ability to balance academic rigor with warmth and compassion. Whether she’s celebrating a student’s milestone, offering thoughtful guidance, or fostering meaningful connections with families, Lynne consistently goes above and beyond the role of “teacher.”

What truly sets Lynne apart is the way she extends her care beyond the curriculum. Her influence reaches into homes, conversations, and lasting memories, touching students long after they leave her classroom.

Lynne Bogardus embodies the very best of Naples: dedicated, compassionate, deeply skilled, and wholeheartedly Anchored in Excellence.

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Steve Swift, Art Director

Step inside Steve Swift’s office and you instantly understand the magic behind his work. It’s an eclectic gallery; walls and shelves covered with graphics, flyers, advertisements, fast-food condiment packaging, toy packaging, clothing tags, literally anything with a design worth studying. Steve collects visuals the way some collect art. To him, every color choice, every line weight, every layout is a story waiting to be understood.

For 28 years, Steve has brought that same curiosity, creativity, and mastery to Long Beach Unified. From flyers and booklets to posters, logos, mascots, business cards, and brochures, he doesn’t just make things look good; he elevates them. He is also responsible for the complete LBUSD rebrand, which won national and state awards for excellence in public relations.

Last June, his expertise was on display working on The Year in Review: Long Beach Unified School District 2024-2025 Annual Report. With an incredibly tight turnaround, Steve was flexible, accessible, dependable, and unshakably calm.

On the day before his vacation, we’d spoken at least 16 times, refining the report: updating content, adjusting layout, shifting branding elements, reworking graphics, and polishing every detail. Steve approached every revision with professionalism and patience, giving each line and visual the kind of careful attention that defines his work.

Faced with limited space in the four-page report, Steve engineered a brilliant solution, designing a stunning cover/“page 1” hybrid that seamlessly integrated the Superintendent’s letter with beautiful, clean, LBUSD-branded visuals. His use of color, balance, and design saved precious space while enhancing the report’s overall clarity and impact.

That is Steve: thoughtful, inventive, and relentlessly dedicated. His eye for beauty and unmistakable artistic spirit make our District’s communications stronger, sharper, and more inspiring.

Please join us in celebrating Steve Swift, a true LBUSD original whose creativity, craftsmanship, and heart have shaped our visual identity for nearly three decades.