SBCSS News and Press Releases

County Education Medal Of Honor Winners Announced

2009-04-28

REDLANDS - Six champions of public education - representing the Central School District, Colton Joint Unified, Colton-Redlands-Yucaipa Regional Occupational Program, Redlands Unified and San Bernardino City Unified - were recognized with the 18th annual San Bernardino County Education Medal of Honor on April 27.

Each year, the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) along with the San Bernardino County School Boards Association and County Communicators Network, recognizes individuals and groups who give outstanding service and support to public education with the San Bernardino County Education Medal of Honor.

"I am so proud of the work these individuals, groups and business partners do to support public education in our county," County Superintendent Gary Thomas said. "This truly is a celebration of the commitment and dedication these recipients perform in service to our schools and students."

The six categories, respective winners and districts served are: Volunteer in Action/Community Volunteer, Barbara "Bobbi" Cummings, community volunteers for Redlands Unified School District; Volunteer in Action/Service Group, Delta Rho Chapter of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, San Bernardino City Unified; Partners in Education/Small Business or Franchise, Chuck Wilburn, owner of Shakey's Pizza, Redlands Unified; Partners in Education/Corporation, Eileen Gallardo, human resources manager for Gottschalks, Colton-Redlands-Yucaipa Regional Occupational Program; Excellence in Education/Education Professional, Thomas Nalbach, Central School District; and Excellence in Education/Student Alumni, Roger Kowalski, retired administrator, Colton Joint Unified.

Following are narratives on each of the individual winners.

Volunteer in Action/Community Volunteer

When it comes to being a volunteer, Bobbi Cummings is a pro at it. Whether she's involved in multiple schools' PTAs or serving on the Redlands Unified School District's bond oversight committee, Cummings is a tireless contributor to making school experiences better for students.

"Bobbi exemplifies the positive relationships that can define the way a school interacts with the community," wrote John Maloney, principal of Redlands East Valley High School, in the nomination of Cummings.

Cummings has worked on parent association groups at five Redlands school sites, as well as worked on the district's PTA as well as San Bernardino County's Fifth District PTA. For the past five years, she has chaired the district's artistic Reflections program, which encourages student involvement in literature, music, visual arts, photography, video and dance. In addition, she established elementary choral programs at Arroyo Verde and Highland Grove schools - the only schools in the district with choral programs.

Volunteer in Action/Service Group

With more than 27 years of service to the San Bernardino City Unified School District, the Delta Rho Chapter of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa has impacted students in its programs and teachers through its mentoring.

Founded in 1982, the Delta Rho Chapter has followed the national organization's mission to stimulate professional growth among teachers while promoting the highest ideals of the profession. Monthly, Delta Rho holds "teacherama" sessions at California State University, San Bernardino, or at local libraries. For the last 26 years, it has inspired thousands of elementary and middle school students with its Black History Bee. The group also has awarded more than $200,000 in scholarships to deserving students over the last decade.

"Through the years, the students and community of San Bernardino County have continued to benefit from the generosity and caring work of the Delta Rho Chapter," wrote Arturo Delgado, superintendent of the San Bernardino City Unified School District, in his nomination of the group.

Partners in Education/Small Business or Franchise

Chuck Wilburn, owner of Shakey's Pizza in Redlands, does believe there are such things as free lunches. As a benefactor for 15 elementary schools in the Redlands Unified School District, he sponsors the free Lunch with the Principal program for students each month.

"His dedication to our schools, specifically to the students of Redlands Unified, his exemplary work ethic and community spirit, and his ability to work effectively with each and every person whom he comes into contact speak highly for the lasting impact he makes on the lives of all of those who he touches," wrote Luanna Kloepfer, principal of Crafton Hills Elementary, in her nomination of Wilburn.

This is the second Education Medal of Honor for Wilburn, who also received the honor in 1994. Wilburn's generous contributions have made an impact on generations of students, as former Lunch with the Principal participants have returned to the pizza parlor with their own children to share their experiences.

Partners in Education/Corporation

For the last seven years, about 90 Workability students have been able to gain valuable on-the-job training through the generosity of retailer Gottschalks in Redlands.

"Their efforts have made a great impact on these students, and their contributions continue to enhance and support education for students," wrote Kathy Callaway and Barbara Scott of the Colton-Redlands-Yucaipa Regional Occupational program, who nominated Eileen Gallardo, Gottschalks' manager of human resources, for the award.

The Workability program helps high school students with special needs in finding employment opportunities in their communities. It promotes career education while assisting students in completing their secondary educations. Gallardo has fostered strong relationships with students, working with them on their initial interviews and providing tips to help them through the process.

In addition to her work assisting workability students, Gallardo also participates in CRY-ROP's Community Classroom program, where she shares her worksite with other instructors.

Excellence in Education/Education Professional

For the past three decades, Tom Nalbach has been sharing his love for music with students at Cucamonga Middle School in the Central School District. He still receives updates from his former students who remark about what an impact he has made on their lives even decades after being out of his classroom.

"Tom has carried the banner of music education throughout his professional work," wrote Barbara Rich, board member for the Central School District, in her nomination of Nalbach.

He has been a music teacher in the district since 1973. He recently received an update from one of his former students in the '70s.

"Thank you for instilling in me the gift and the life-long love of music, which I have encouraged and passed to my own children," wrote his former student Liz Goins. "I wanted to say thank you and bless you for sharing your gift with me and all the students since (I left Cucamonga Middle)."

Excellence in Education/Student Alumni

Growing up in Bloomington, Roger Kowalski was a member of the high school's first graduating class in 1965. As an adult who returned as an educator to his alma mater and later moved into administration, Kowalski made a lasting impact with his 38 years of service to Colton Joint Unified.

After retiring from the district in August 2008, Kowalski's legacy in the schools and across the area lives among his former students who have returned to work for the district.

"He has had such a tremendous influence on me and countless others that it simply has to be celebrated," wrote Mike Snellings, now the assistant superintendent for Student Services for Colton.

Kowalski was legendary for his work ethic, going 28 years without missing a day of work for being sick before retiring. He also helped organize efforts to build Bloomington High's football stadium in 1984, including pouring the concrete foundation for the bleachers. Even in retirement, Kowalski has made a positive impact, chairing a bond campaign last fall that passed with 74 percent voter approval.