Employee, Administrator and Teacher of the Year Honored at Excellence in Education Awards

The Merced County Excellence in Education Awards, hosted by the Merced County Office of Education (MCOE) and Educational Employees Credit Union (EECU), celebrated nearly 30 honorees from across the county and awarded the 2025 School Employee, Administrator and Teacher of the Year.  

Principal's Secretary Nancy De Los Reyes from Weaver Union School District was named School Employee of the Year; Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Ana Boyenga from the Atwater Elementary School District was named School Administrator of the Year; and Dual Language Immersion Teacher Lilia Pulido Fernández from the Delhi Unified School District was awarded the Teacher of the Year title.

Led by Master of Ceremonies Ryan Heller, who serves as an MCOE Board Trustee, the Oct. 2 event recognized 24 honorees and featured video vignettes, produced by Merced Educational Television (METV), that highlighted the three county winners.

Merced County Office of Education Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Laura Andrews and EECU CEO Elizabeth Dooley both praised the honorees and winners for their contributions to the educational landscape.

The Excellence in Education program, which celebrated its 20th year, is open to all Merced County school districts. The winners of Teacher of the Year and School Employee of the Year are eligible to apply for the state awards program. 

The 2025 Excellence in Education video vignettes and event program can be found at www.mcoe.org/eie.