January 16, 2025

Stacy Galvan has excelled in many roles during her 16 years in the Hughson Unified School District -- yard duty, cafeteria helper, summer school paraeducator, PE aide and crossing guard. For the past seven years, she has served as a bilingual paraeducator in the English language development lab at Fox Road Elementary, a job that has provided her the most fulfillment.

“I get excited working with those students. It gives me life,” said Galvan, who is the district’s nominee this year for the Employees Making a Difference awards competition. She and other nominees will be recognized Jan. 22 during a ceremony at the Stanislaus County Office of Education.

The English language development lab focuses on students for whom English is not their first language. And though Galvan is a native English speaker, she understands what it’s like to learn another language. She did it in high school, when she took three years of Spanish. Later, she met and fell in love with a man whose first language was Spanish, providing more incentive for her to become fluent.

She said her own experience “helps me understand my student’s frustrations.”

“I can relate to them in learning a new language, especially because I was shy growing up and often got embarrassed when uncomfortable,” Galvan explained. “I like to see them learning, I like building relationships with them and seeing their progress. It brings me joy.”

Eric Petersen, the district’s director of support services and a former Fox Road principal, said Galvan’s dedication to high standards is unwavering.

“She provides individualized attention to English language learners, filling learning gaps and building a strong foundation for their academic success,” Petersen said. “Her expertise in literacy, phonics and language development is invaluable to the classroom.”

Jeff Persons, the current Fox Road principal, said Galvan impacts more than just the students in her classroom.

“Stacy has such a heart for students and always seeks out opportunities to assist them,” he said.

One of many examples he cited is when she volunteered to be the before school playground supervisor before her regular job begins.

“Our early students are greeted with her caring personality each morning,” Persons said. “She shares a deep interest in our student’s lives and it’s great to have her on our campus.”

Galvan also is deeply involved in Hughson’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) program, which supports students' behavioral, academic, social, emotional and mental health. She has attended conferences, helped with the PBIS store and arranged child care for parents while they are in meetings. Her impact doesn’t stop there. Persons and Petersen praised Galvan for motivating others and setting a strong example of positive leadership. She also recently hosted a staff social at her own home, fostering a sense of camaraderie and belonging among her colleagues.

“I love Hughson and I love working with children and seeing them grow and improve,” Galvan said. “I enjoy the people that I work with and it brings me joy coming to work in my own community where I live and being a part of school life and events.”