LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Unified is proud to announce that Pablo Lopez, a Senior Heating and Air Conditioning Fitter with nine years of service, has been named a 2026 California Classified School Employee of the Year by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. Lopez is one of nine honorees selected statewide from a pool of 141 nominations and will be recognized at a luncheon in Sacramento on May 20 during California Classified School Employees Week.
Lopez’s recognition reflects a journey of distinction across all levels of the program — beginning at the District, advancing through Los Angeles County, and culminating in statewide honors.
An integral member of Los Angeles Unified's HVAC team, Lopez has distinguished himself through his leadership, particularly during the recent wildfires, when he organized and deployed crews to ensure every school had air filtration in place. Known for his calm, steady presence during emergencies at any hour, he has also worked closely with the District's Engineering team to replace vandalized auditorium units and coordinate temporary systems to keep schools operational. His commitment to safe, comfortable learning environments reflects the highest standards of service to students and staff.
"Congratulations to Pablo Lopez on this well-deserved statewide recognition," said Acting Superintendent Andrés Chait. "Pablo exemplifies the dedication, skill, and quiet heroism of our classified employees — the individuals who keep our schools running every single day. We are proud to call him one of our own."
Lopez was first recognized through the District’s Everyday Heroes — Classified Employees of the Year program, which honors outstanding employees across nine categories representing every corner of Los Angeles Unified’s operations. The 2026 District honorees are:
- Paraprofessionals: Amy Rendon, Special Education Assistant
- Technical / Professional: Jeremy Agrusa, IT Business Efficiency Analyst
- Support Services / Security: Karista Cardenas, Police Dispatcher
- Health: Justus Bradshaw, Licensed Vocational Nurse
- Transportation: Marcos Davalos, Heavy Duty Bus/Truck Mechanic
- Custodial / Maintenance: Estela De La Cruz, Building and Grounds Worker
- Clerical / Administrative: Stephanie Manriquez, School Administrative Assistant
- Skilled Trade: Pablo Lopez, Senior Heating Air Condition Fitter
- Food: Lianna Safaryan, Senior Food Service Worker
From this group, four Los Angeles Unified employees advanced to county-level recognition by the Los Angeles County Office of Education:
- Support Services / Security: Karista Cardenas, Police Dispatcher
- Transportation: Marcos Davalos, Heavy Duty Bus/Truck Mechanic
- Custodial / Maintenance: Estela De La Cruz, Building and Grounds Worker
- Skilled Trade: Pablo Lopez, Senior Heating Air Condition Fitter
Following this progression, Lopez was ultimately selected as the state’s top honoree in the Skilled Trade category, representing Los Angeles Unified at the highest level.
All District honorees, including those who advanced to the county and state levels, will be recognized at upcoming Board of Education and Principal Council meetings, as well as during Classified Employee Appreciation Week, May 18–22, 2026.
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