Mariann Collins, Office Manager at Mission Estancia in the Encinitas Union School District, has won the honor of San Diego County Classified School Employee of the year.  Ms. Collins was selected from twenty-three finalists from the forty-three school districts in San Diego County as the Classified School Employee of the Year for the 1998-99 school year.  She will be honored by the San Diego County Office of Education on June 9, 1999.

Ms. Collins has worked in the District for twelve years. During this time, she has served as an Instructional Assistant, School Services Secretary, and Office Manager. She brings a friendly sense of humor to the work place and is known by all for her high level of sensitivity to children and her empathy and compassion for the special needs of children. She truly embraces the District's philosophy -- "Children First." During a recent absence from her job, a student expressed, "I wish she was here. She's like a big sister I never had and I hope she'll be my big sister forever." Another student shared, "Her voice is like a song to me and I always want her to be my friend." Ms. Collins values children and derives great satisfaction from the intrinsic rewards of public service.

Ms. Collins has been a key player on several critical planning committees at the site and district level including strategic planning, budget committee, school boundaries committee, school site council, and our new school planning committee. She helped pass our local school bond, Proposition O, which brought 29.5 million dollars to the District for modernization construction and technology infrastructures to all schools. She has also been part of selection panels for superintendent, assistant superintendent, teachers, and classified staff. She is currently president of the Classified Service in the District and consistently works to maintain a positive and collaborative relationship between the District and classified employees. She was instrumental in bringing Interest Based Bargaining to the District.