LBUSD Employee Spotlight

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Ms. Vadella Byrd, Spirit Squad Director, Cabrillo High

If you’ve ever attended a Cabrillo High football game, you’ve probably noticed the cheerleaders’ energy and precision. Every clap, every move, every chant is in perfect sync. Behind that harmony stands Ms. Byrd, a 25-year veteran of LBUSD, who serves as Locker Room Attendant and Spirit Squad Director, whose quiet leadership has shaped generations of students with grace, grit, and love.

At a recent Cabrillo game, Superintendent Baker approached Ms. Byrd to compliment the cheer squad’s extraordinary performance. As they chatted on the sidelines, Ms. Byrd smiled, lifted three fingers, and without uttering a single word, the entire varsity squad exploded into a flawless drill: crisp, powerful, and in unison. The moment spoke volumes about Ms. Byrd's leadership: her team moves as one because they trust her, respect her, and know that excellence is expected of them.

As the conversation continued, Ms. Byrd shared that ten cheerleaders were not on the field that evening. “They were criticizing other girls on social media,” she said. “I don’t operate like that. Girls on this squad understand that their education and sportsmanship are their top priorities. I don’t tolerate disrespect, not toward others, not toward themselves. And because of that, they’re not cheering.”

It was a moment that perfectly captured who Ms. Byrd is: a woman of conviction, compassion, and character. She doesn’t just teach cheerleading; she teaches accountability, teamwork, and dignity. Her leadership reminds every student that talent means little without integrity, and that real strength shines brightest in how you treat others.

For 25 years, Ms. Byrd has embodied the very best of LBUSD, serving not for recognition, but for results; not for applause, but for the opportunity to build better young people. She is, in every sense of the phrase, an unsung hero.

Ms. Byrd represents everything we hope for in our educators. She leads with heart, purpose, and integrity. She’s a quiet force whose impact echoes far beyond the sidelines.

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Ana Cristina Muñoz Aguirre, Cafeteria Supervisor, Jackie Robinson Academy

Before the first bell rings at Jackie Robinson Academy, Ana Cristina Muñoz Aguirre is already hard at work, greeting staff with her signature smile, preparing the day’s meals with care, and ensuring that every student feels welcomed, seen, and loved. Her presence fills the cafeteria with energy, laughter, and an unmistakable sense of community.

For AnaCristina, food is an expression of love. Each tray she serves carries her belief that every student deserves nourishment, dignity, and joy. Her Family Breakfasts with Caregivers have become cherished campus traditions, offering families a moment to connect, celebrate, and feel part of something larger: the heartbeat of Jackie Robinson Academy.

Superintendent Dr. Jill Baker shared how deeply AnaCristina’s spirit moved her during a recent visit: “When I met AnaCristina, I felt her light immediately. She brings joy and care to everything she does, and you feel her love for students in the way she serves them. People like her remind me why this work matters.” 

AnaCristina’s journey through Long Beach Unified is one of resilience and faith. She began her career as a sub-custodian and, through dedication and grace, rose to become a Cafeteria Supervisor, a role she approaches with humility and gratitude. “I love to do the best of me,” she says, a phrase that perfectly captures her spirit of continuous growth and service.

Her story reminds us that leadership comes in many forms. In Ana Cristina’s hands, the cafeteria becomes a place of connection, belonging, and hope, a daily example of Long Beach Unified's excellence in action.

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Jamilah Jackson, Site Specialist, Center of Black Student

Walk into the Center of Black Student Excellence on any given day, and you’ll feel Jamilah Jackson before you even see her.

A proud Wilson High School graduate and Long Beach native, Jamilah radiates joy the moment students and families arrive. She greets visitors personally at the Center: with a smile, warmth, and the kind of authentic welcome that instantly tells you: you belong here.

Jamilah is known for her instinctive ability to connect. She doesn’t just know names; she remembers stories, honors family legacies, and moves with the kind of community wisdom that only comes from someone who deeply loves this city, and this District. She anticipates needs before they’re spoken and acts before barriers ever have the chance to form.

What makes her exceptional is how she opens doors for others. Jamilah actively recruits community partners, bringing in intergenerational leaders, cultural wisdom, and real resources that enrich the lives of Black students. Her network across Long Beach is robust, and she uses it to uplift, protect, and celebrate young people every single day.

Her presence is electric. Her leadership is intentional. And her love for Long Beach and its students is undeniable.

Jamilah Jackson is not just serving at the Center of Black Student Excellence — she is helping build it. And because of her, countless students feel seen, valued, and empowered to be unstoppable.

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Debbie Crymes-Bereta, Teacher at Dooley

Long before the first bell rings at Dooley, you can sometimes hear it: a sound that cuts through the quiet of the morning. Not footsteps. Not music. But the unmistakable sound of Debbie Crymes-Bereta’s laugh echoing down the hallway.

It’s the kind of laugh that tells you everything is going to be okay. Students feel it. Staff feel it. Even on the hardest mornings, that laugh, full of warmth and light, reminds everyone that Dooley is a place where you belong.

Debbie has been part of Dooley’s story since the very beginning. When the school opened its doors in August 2007, she was there, helping to build its foundation, including the classrooms and its culture. Through staffing shifts, leadership changes, and the countless transitions that come with school life, Debbie has remained steady. When others grew weary, she lifted them. When the noise got loud, she stayed calm.

No drama. No spotlight-seeking. Just quiet leadership and an unshakable sense of purpose.

When colleagues were laid off or reassigned, Debbie leaned in instead of turning away. She called. She checked on them. She reminded them that they still mattered, that they were still part of the Dooley family. And even now, years later, she keeps those connections alive. That’s who she is: loyal, loving, and deeply rooted in community.

There was even a time she opened her home so a colleague’s band could perform for her entire neighborhood. To Debbie, community isn’t something you talk about; it’s something you build.

She lights up around students. She embraces every new challenge. And she never lets a hard moment steal her joy. Debbie makes people feel seen, valued, and understood — every single day.

Debbie Crymes-Bereta is what belonging looks like.

And today, we honor her not only for all she does — but for who she is.

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Dennis Joyce, Hughes Office Manager

If joy had a sound, at Hughes, it would be Dennis’s booming: “GOOOOOOOD MOOOOORNIN’ TO THE OWLS! HUUUUUUUGEES HOUSE!” before the sun is even up. His greeting has become such a part of campus life that when he’s off-site, students walk through the doors asking, “Where’s Dennis?!”

Dennis runs the front office, but more than that, he runs the vibe. He’s the hype man, the comedian, the problem-solver, and the glue that holds everyone together. He somehow remembers every student’s schedule, every parent’s story, and every staff member’s favorite coffee order.

And then there’s the school picture incident. On picture day, Dennis suited up, posed for his portrait, and turned it into a campus-wide prank. Over the following weeks, his photo began appearing in the most random spots: on doors, bulletin boards, copy machines, even the cafeteria fridge. When his wife visited campus, staff pointed out the pictures, laughing that her husband had plastered the school with his own face. She smiled and said, “Oh, I know!”

That’s Dennis, the joyful prankster who makes hard days lighter and good days even better.

He once mailed a colleague a school calendar, unprompted, because he remembered they needed one. That’s Dennis, too: funny first, but always thoughtful.

At the June 2025 closing meeting, when his name was announced, the entire staff rose to their feet without a single cue. Just instant applause and laughter through tears. Because Dennis doesn’t just manage an office. He manages belonging, laughter, and joy — every single day.

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Sandra Velasco Parent Facilitator at Lindbergh

It started with something small. A student came to school one morning wearing the same clothes from the day before: quiet, withdrawn, hoping no one would notice. But Sandra Velasco noticed. As Lindbergh’s parent facilitator, she has built her career on noticing the things that matter most: the human details that reveal where help is needed and where compassion can change a life.

Sandra didn’t just see a student in need; she saw an opportunity to serve. Through her connections with local organizations, she helped bring a washer and dryer to campus, providing students with a discreet and welcoming space to wash their clothes. It’s a small act with an enormous message: you belong here, and you deserve to feel confident and cared for.

That’s the essence of Sandra’s work. She’s exceptional at building partnerships, getting community organizations involved in everything from open house events to family resource nights. She brings people together, ensuring that support doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Thanks to her efforts, families at Lindbergh have access to resources that make school not just a place to learn, but a place where they can thrive.

Her colleagues describe her as the glue that holds school and community together, someone whose warmth and initiative make a lasting impact. Because of Sandra’s vision and leadership, Lindbergh is evolving into a true community school, one that wraps its arms around every student and family.

Sandra’s story is a reminder that meaningful change doesn’t always begin with policy or programs. It starts with people like her, who quietly make sure every student has what they need to show up, feel seen, and succeed.

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Lucia Lepe, Office Manager at Addams

 

To see dedication in action, spend a day with Lucia Lepe. Known for her sharp organization, calm demeanor, and deep sense of purpose, Lucia has built her career on a straightforward principle: serve others with heart and excellence.

Lucia began her LBUSD journey as a clerk at Muir Academy, where her work ethic immediately stood out. Every call she answered, every parent she helped, every student she greeted, she brought warmth, efficiency, and professionalism. When an opportunity arose for a temporary office position, she didn’t hesitate. Lucia stepped up without missing a beat, providing both practical guidance and genuine care to staff and families alike.

In August 2025, Lucia became the Office Manager at Addams Elementary, where her leadership continues to shine. She’s known for her spiritual steadiness, her ability to uplift others, and her commitment to making the school feel like a community. She helps families navigate challenges with grace, ensures students are supported, and empowers teachers to focus on what matters most: learning.

Lucia was meant to lead. In a field where opportunities don’t always come easily, she’s proven that hard work and heart can open doors. Her colleagues describe her as the right person in the right place at the right time, someone who makes every student, family, and visitor feel welcome and cared for.

At Addams, when things need to get done, people know where to go. They go to Lucia.

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Liz Dilts: Office Supervisor, Fremont Elementary

Walk through the front doors of Fremont Elementary, and chances are the first voice you’ll hear and the first smile you’ll see belong to Liz Diltz. For nearly 23 years, Liz has been the steady, friendly force that keeps the school running smoothly and the people inside it feeling cared for.

She began her LBUSD journey in 2003 as an Intermediate Office Assistant and stepped into her role as Office Supervisor in 2006, where she’s been the anchor of Fremont ever since. Liz is the one families call when they’re unsure what to do, the one teachers rely on when things get hectic, and the one who somehow manages to juggle it all with calm and humor.

When COVID-19 brought schools to a halt in 2020, Liz became a master of organized chaos, coordinating Chromebook and book pick-ups, handling copy requests, and keeping Fremont families connected and supported. All the while, she balanced it with her own life as a mom of two, with kids at Hughes and Longfellow. Her ability to stay steady under pressure is what makes her indispensable.

Colleagues describe Liz as easygoing yet incredibly reliable, someone who keeps things moving, supports others with patience, and never misses a detail. She’s known for her mix of kindness and candor. Parents know she means business, but they love her for it. Liz is the first person families meet, the last one they see, and the one who leaves everyone feeling a little lighter.

If Fremont Elementary had a face that represented its warmth and spirit, there’s no question, it would be Liz Dilts.

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Steve Rockenbach, Director of Employee Relations and Ethics

When it comes to fostering strong partnerships between the Long Beach Unified School District and its employee groups, Steve Rockenbach is at the forefront. As Director of Employee Relations and Ethics, he leads with integrity, clarity, and a steady commitment to fairness. With nearly two decades of service in LBUSD, Steve ensures that conversations with unions are grounded in respect, transparency, and shared purpose.

Steve’s journey in LBUSD began as a counselor at David Starr Jordan High School, where his genuine care for students and colleagues quickly became his hallmark. His leadership grew naturally from counselor to head counselor, to assistant principal, and ultimately to principal. When LBUSD opened Ernest S. McBride High School, a first-of-its-kind campus built around career pathways and technology, Steve became its founding principal. He recruited the inaugural staff, established school systems, and set a tone of collaboration, equity, and innovation. Under his leadership, McBride became a model of what modern education could look like in practice.

Today, as Director of Employee Relations and Ethics, Steve brings that same thoughtful, people-centered approach to the district level. He oversees negotiations, advises administrators, and ensures that every employee's voice is valued. His deep understanding of school culture and human relationships allows him to navigate sensitive issues with balance and perspective.

Those who know Steve describe him as a calm and trusted guide, someone who listens deeply, communicates honestly, and always leads with empathy. His work may not always be visible, but its impact is felt across the District, strengthening the relationships and collaboration that define LBUSD.