Nellie Coffman Middle School Principal Named 2026 Riverside County Principal of the Year
PALM SPRINGS – Every principal from the Palm Springs Unified School District was gathered for a meeting at the district’s headquarters when Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez, stepped into a large conference room to make the surprise announcement that one of the meeting’s attendees, Nellie Coffman Middle School Principal Melissa Galataud, is the 2026 Riverside County Principal 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.
“Mrs. Galataud stands out as this year's Riverside County Principal of the Year because of her extraordinary impact on student outcomes—including reducing suspensions, decreasing chronic absenteeism, strengthening English learner progress, and improving reclassification rates,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez. “She engages students every step of the way and sets the culture through shared leadership and collaboration.”
“I am super grateful for the leadership of amazing mentors and the people I’ve worked with at Nellie Coffman Middle School for the last 20 years,” said Melissa Galatuad, immediately after the surprise announcement. “I’d like to thank my incredible family, my husband, and my daughter, who support the work that I do at home, and really help give me all the things that I need to help lead our school and give our students the best shot possible.”
About the 2026 Principal of the Year – Melissa Galataud
Principal, Nellie Coffman Middle School, Palm Springs Unified School District
When Melissa Galataud started her first year as principal at Nellie Coffman Middle School in 2022 within the Palm Springs Unified School District, she asked her staff one question: “Why does middle school matter for our students?” The reflection and honest discussion led to the Quintessential Cougar framework, an intentional system that has helped students understand their purpose, feel connected to school, and recognize how they are being prepared for success in high school.
Melissa’s leadership has focused on building a professional learning culture, promoting consistent excellence within each classroom, and expanding the schoolwide Advisory Program to ensure that every student on campus has a trusted adult they can talk to and learn from every day.
Colleagues describe Melissa as “an exceptional leader who possesses the vision, knowledge, and organizational skills needed to manage the complexities of school administration, coupled with the heart and empathy required to keep students at the center of every decision.”
Melissa previously served at Nellie Coffman Middle School as an assistant principal and science teacher. She also demonstrated leadership as the ASB Director and AVID Coordinator. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Central Michigan University and a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from Brandman University.
The full list of categories and honorees for the 2026 Riverside County Educators of the Year:
- Riverside County Site Support Employee of the YearCasey Rogers
Instructional Coach of Athletics – Expanded Learning, Alvord Unified School District - Riverside County Classified Employee of the YearDaniel Whitman
Database Analyst, Jurupa Unified School District - Riverside County Principal of the YearMelissa Galataud
Principal, Nellie Coffman Middle School, Palm Springs 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 School Counselor of the Year – TBD in January 2026
The Riverside County Educators of the Year are selected from the more than 40,000 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.
