First 2026 Riverside County Educators of the Year Named During Surprise Visits

RIVERSIDE AND JURUPA VALLEY – Confetti, cameras, and cheering colleagues converged in parking lots and board rooms as a pair of surprise visits from Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez, revealed the first 2026 Riverside County Educators of the Year.

Each year, Dr. Edwin Gomez, conducts surprise visits to name the seven Riverside County Educators of the Year, who are selected from the more than 40,000 employees serving 430,000 students in more than 500 schools. All honorees will be recognized at the 2026 Celebrating Educators Luncheon set for May 6, at the Riverside Convention Center.

The first surprise visit took place in the Alvord Unified School District, where Instructional Coach, Casey Rogers, was busy constructing theater sets for the district’s Mary Poppins, Jr., expanded learning program production that will take the stage at the Fox Theater in downtown Riverside next week. Casey and colleagues took a break from using their saws and screwdrivers as Dr. Edwin Gomez led a group of educators in announcing that Casey is the 2026 Riverside County Site Support Employee of the Year.

“Mr. Rogers is known for building systems that operate seamlessly behind the scenes, creating meaningful experiences for students on fields, stages, and campuses,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez. “He fosters environments for students to gain confidence, teamwork skills, and pride, through athletics and the arts, resulting in increased participation and a strong sense of belonging.”

“I just show up to work and do my job every day. We have a great team that helps in every aspect,” said Alvord Unified School District Instructional Coach, Casey Rogers, immediately after learning he is the 2026 Riverside County Site Support Employee of the Year. “When I was nominated for the district award and heard I might be recognized, I told everyone it’s only because we all work together to help and support each other.”

One hour later, an unsuspecting information technology professional was summoned to the board room inside the district office of Jurupa Unified School District on the premise that a technology challenge needed his attention. Database Analyst Daniel Whitman soon entered the room and found the surprise collection of family members, educators, and Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez, who gathered to celebrate the news that Daniel is the 2026 Riverside County Classified Employee of the Year.

“Over the last 21 years, Daniel has dedicated his career to education, including the last 14 as a classified employee at Jurupa Unified School District,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez. “There are over 21,000 classified staff members across our county. So, to be selected as the one person who represents this group is a huge honor.”

“I’m a little taken aback at the moment, but this is amazing. I never would have thought about this award. I don’t do my job for this (recognition),” said Jurupa Unified School District Database Analyst, Daniel Whitman, following the surprise visit where he was named the 2026 Riverside County Classified Employee of the Year. “I’m really glad my wife told me to dress nicely today,” added Daniel.

About the 2026 Site Support Employee of the Year – Casey Rogers

Instructional Coach of Athletics – Expanded Learning, Alvord Unified School District

Before his current role as an instructional coach supporting after-school sports and theater arts productions at 18 schools in Alvord Unified School District’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program, Casey Rogers served as a physical education teacher in elementary and middle schools, as well as a coach at multiple school districts and San Bernardino Valley College.

He is motivated by the belief that athletics and arts unite families across schools and neighborhoods. From constructing stage sets to organizing athletics leagues, he helps students build confidence and the capability to take risks and discover new strengths.

Colleagues describe Casey as “approaching every challenge with optimism, grace, and an unwavering belief in students.” Others describe his leadership as “ensuring that thousands of students have a place to engage in healthy activities, discover new passions, and be part of something larger than themselves.”

Casey earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, a master’s degree in teaching, and holds a single-subject teaching credential in physical education. He is currently enrolled in a preliminary administrative credential program with the Riverside County Office of Education’s School of Education. Casey is an Eagle Scout and a resident of Riverside.

About the 2026 Classified Employee of the Year – Daniel Whitman

Database Analyst – Jurupa Unified School District

Daniel Whitman’s world revolves around data. His goal is to create systems and processes that enable educators to spend less time compiling, formatting, and analyzing information, allowing them to better focus on the needs of their students.

A graduate of the district where he now works, Daniel began his career as an instructional aide, serving students in special education. During his 21 years in education, Daniel has earned multiple promotions and currently serves as a database analyst. His expertise has been instrumental in building reports, dashboards, and data collection and processing systems that assist coaches, school nurses, counselors, teachers, and administrators in achieving strategic goals aimed at student success.

Daniel’s colleagues describe him as an “unsung hero” with a unique full-circle experience, having attended the district as a student, working in special education, as an on-campus registrar, and now offering expertise through “an unparalleled understanding of the end-user experience.” Daniel holds an associate’s degree in social and behavioral studies. He is a resident of Jurupa Valley. 

The full list of categories and honorees for the 2026 Riverside County Educators of the Year:

Riverside County Site Support Employee of the Year
Casey Rogers
Instructional Coach of Athletics – Expanded Learning, Alvord Unified School District

Riverside County Classified Employee of the Year
Daniel Whitman
Database Analyst, Jurupa Unified School District

Riverside County Confidential Employee of the Year – TBD in January 2026

Riverside County Certificated Administrator of the Year – TBD in January 2026

Riverside County Classified Administrator of the Year – TBD in January 2026

Riverside County Principal of the Year – TBD in January 2026

Riverside County School Counselor of the Year – TBD in January 2026

The Riverside County Educators of the Year are selected from the more than 36,000 educational employees in the county. The rigorous application process starts with nominations by teachers, classified employees, and school district administrators throughout the county. Applications are then submitted to the Riverside County Office of Education, where an outside selection committee selects the honorees before the county superintendent's announcement.

Along with the 2026 Riverside County Teachers of the Year named previously, all 2026 Riverside County Educators of the Year will be honored at the Celebrating Educators Luncheon, set for Wednesday, May 6, at the Riverside Convention Center.

Clarification: The 2026 Riverside County Teachers of the Year were named mid-2025 to align with the 2026 California State Teacher of the Year competition. The 2027 Riverside County Teachers of the Year will be announced in May/June of 2026 and will vie for the 2027 California State Teacher of the Year award, which will be named in the fall of 2026 by the California Department of Education and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The 2027 Riverside County Teachers of the Year will be honored at the Celebrating Educators Event in May 2027.

2026 Riverside County Teachers of the Year (named in mid-2025)