More students are growing as readers across Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, and the educators helping make that progress possible are being celebrated through MPUSD's annual Reading is Key awards.

Now in its third year, Reading is Key recognizes outstanding educators, grade-level teams and schools for their contributions to student literacy growth and achievement during the 2025 – 2026 school year. Many of the awards celebrate stretch growth, which measures students' progress toward ambitious, individualized reading goals designed to help them reach their full potential.

This year's celebration also introduces new award categories recognizing the literacy growth of multilingual learners and students with exceptional needs, along with outstanding achievement in foundational reading skills.

From kindergarten through middle school, these recognitions highlight the dedication, collaboration and instructional practices helping MPUSD students build stronger reading skills and confidence.

Celebrating Our 2025 - 2026 Reading is Key Honorees

Outstanding Literacy Educators

Three educators received special recognition for their leadership, use of student data and commitment to effective literacy instruction.

• Literacy Leader: Kati Simonton, Marshall Elementary School

• Data Dynamo: Rebecca Hubick, J.C. Crumpton Elementary School

• Structured Literacy Supporter: Erica Duron, Del Rey Woods Elementary School

Most Stretch Growth in Literacy

Recognizing teachers whose students demonstrated exceptional progress toward ambitious literacy growth goals.

• 1st Grade: Sydney Wallo, Del Rey Woods Elementary

• 2nd Grade: Greta Huang, La Mesa Elementary

• 3rd Grade: Umeeta Dosange, J.C. Crumpton Elementary

• 4th Grade: Keira Hord and Jamee Lynch-Moore, Olson Elementary

• 5th Grade: Jessica Jeronimo, J.C. Crumpton Elementary

NEW! Celebrating Multilingual Learner Growth

This new award recognizes educators whose multilingual learners achieved outstanding progress toward their literacy growth goals.

• 5th Grade: Jasmine Heath, Martin Luther King Jr. School

• 5th Grade: Gabriela Jimenez Pizarro, Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula

• 6th Grade: Derek Gomez, Del Rey Woods Elementary

• 7th Grade: Benjamin Holliday, Seaside Middle School

• 8th Grade: Emily Anderson, Los Arboles Middle School

NEW! Celebrating Students with Exceptional Needs

Another new recognition honors educators whose students with exceptional needs demonstrated exceptional literacy growth.

• 1st Grade: Sydney Myatt, Marina Vista Elementary

• 1st Grade: Melanie Tanseco, J.C. Crumpton Elementary

• 5th Grade: Jocelyn Gonzalez Martinez, Ord Terrace Elementary

NEW! Outstanding Foundational Literacy Achievement

These grade-level teams were recognized for exceptional student achievement in foundational reading skills, including phonemic awareness and phonics.

• Kindergarten, Marina Vista Elementary: Jeremiah Bell and Victoria Hertel

• 1st Grade, Monte Vista Elementary: Caitlyn Cowardin, Crystal Nimmons, Maria Mateo and Jaimie Adamson

• 2nd Grade, La Mesa Elementary: Sharlene Linnevers, Sabrina Aliotti, Sheila Fierro and Greta Huang

• 3rd Grade, Ord Terrace Elementary: Jennifer Striegel and Marisa Rodriguez-Tegerdal

Outstanding Grade-Level Collaboration

J.C. Crumpton Elementary's 2nd Grade Team: Rebecca Hubick, Amanda Sharpshair and Nina Cruz were recognized for their strong collaboration and consistent implementation of structured literacy instruction.

Grade-Level Teams with the Most Stretch Growth

These teams were recognized for helping the highest percentages of students at their grade levels meet ambitious literacy growth targets.

• Kindergarten, Ord Terrace Elementary: Bobbee Cresci and Mercedes Awity

• 1st Grade, Del Rey Woods Elementary: Sydney Wallo and Selena Miranda-Mooney

• 2nd Grade, La Mesa Elementary: Sharlene Linnevers, Sabrina Aliotti, Sheila Fierro and Greta Huang

• 3rd Grade, J.C. Crumpton Elementary: Umeeta Dosange, Alexandra Dunn and Julia Crocker

• 4th Grade, Olson Elementary: Keira Hord and Jamee Lynch-Moore

• 5th Grade, J.C. Crumpton Elementary: Michelle Faatuai, Whitney Thompson and Jessica Jeronimo

• 6th Grade, Marshall Elementary: Tonya Miller and Petrea Brown

Schools Recognized for Multilingual Learner Growth

Three MPUSD schools earned special recognition for outstanding literacy growth among multilingual learners.

• Elementary School: Marshall Elementary School

• TK–8 School: Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula

• Middle School: Los Arboles Middle School

While Reading is Key recognizes individual educators, teams and schools, these accomplishments reflect a districtwide commitment to helping every student become a confident, capable reader.

Behind every milestone is a student working hard, an educator providing encouragement and a school community committed to student success.

Congratulations to our 2025 – 2026 Reading is Key honorees and to the students whose growth and achievement inspire us every day.