Maricela Schrunk, left, stands alongside Anthony Fazzare, the county-wide classified employee of the year. The Solano County Office of Education hosted the Educator of the Year Awards from 5 to 7:30 p.m. May 6. Three Dixon Unified School District educators were honored at the event, including Schrunk, who was recognized as the county-wide Teacher of the Year. Photo courtesy of Karin Sturgis/Solano County Office of Education

DIXON, CA (MPG) - Three Dixon Unified School District employees were honored at the May 6 Solano County Office of Education’s Educator of the Year Awards ceremony.

Lynne Posedel of Maine Prairie High School, and Mayte Gudino and Maricela Schrunk of Gretchen Higgins Elementary School, were awarded for their service to the community and students.

Posedel is a food nutrition manager from Maine Prairie High School. She has lived in Dixon since 1996, starting off working at a taco cart. Besides providing food to Maine Prairie students, Posedel cooks and delivers food to Dixon Montessori Charter School and Anderson Elementary School.

She’s also known to pick up bulk food items from Gretchen Higgins Elementary School to drop off at Tremont Elementary School. According to Posedel, her favorite part of the job is cooking for the children.

“It is a small school, so it is more family-oriented; everyone knows everyone,” said Posedel.

As the only food service worker at Maine Prairie High School, Posedel cooks whatever her students want. Posedel said that hard work is defined by consistency.

“Just make sure everything gets done and everyone has everything they need in a timely manner,” said Posedel. “Never be grumpy; always be kind.”

Posedel was nominated by Maine Prairie Principal Angelina Arias for district-wide Classified Employee of the Year.

Upon earning this recognition, Posedel was humbled.

“I was just so surprised,” said Posedel. “Angelina Arias nominated me because the kids and staff love me, and I cook them fresh food. I’m happy to get this award.”

Mayte Gudino, left, of Gretchen Higgins Elementary School was recognized as the district-wide Teacher of the Year. She was inspired to pursue education by her eldest sister, Chella, who was her first-grade teacher. Photo courtesy of Karin Sturgis/Solano County Office of Education

Gudino, a Gretchen Higgins Elementary fifth-grade teacher, was recognized as Teacher of the Year in the district twice in 2025, first at Celebrate Dixon March 8, then at the Educator of the Year Awards May 6. Gudino moved to Dixon as a migrant student at age nine. Her eldest sister, Chella, was her first-grade teacher in Mexico, which, according to Gudino, planted the seed that inspired her to become a teacher.

“I was not sure what I wanted to do when I grew up but my sister showed me that education was a very good career to have a family,” said Gudino.

With 25 years of education experience, Gudino is in her fifth year at Gretchen Higgins Elementary and, alongside teaching, also acts as the PAC Migrant Parent Committee coordinator, the English Language Development Program lead and a mentor for new teachers.

“I’m currently mentoring three teachers: two kindergarten and one third-grade,” said Gudino. “I love doing this, just passing on my experience. They are full of so much passion and knowledge; I am learning so much from them.”

To Gudino, her favorite part of education is working with the children, as they decide the success or failure of a lesson plan.

When recognized as the districtwide Teacher of the Year, Gudino was surprised.

“Honestly, when I got the call, I was not expecting it. I was never expecting any recognition but I was honored,” said Gudino.

Schrunk is a special education teacher, also at Gretchen Higgins, and has earned the highest honor of all. On May 6, Schrunk was named the countywide Educator of the Year.

To Schrunk, it was the best experience ever.

“It has just been the best experience ever imagined and the highest honor, definitely desired but never expected. It is so heartwarming. Being selected by five previous Teachers of the Year was also such a high honor, as we are all passionate about what we do,” said Schrunk.

Schrunk started out as a paraprofessional and aide, supporting special education student needs throughout the school day. In her 18th year of education, Schrunk said that she always knew she wanted to nurture others, especially children.

The eldest of three siblings, Schrunk reported having plenty of responsibility at a young age and used that experience to reinforce her time in the school environment. In 2005, she began subbing as an aide and has not left since. According to Schrunk, she now teaches students with extensive needs and loves it.

Lynne Posedel, left, of Maine Prairie High School was recognized as the district-wide Classified Employee of the Year. Honoree is joined by Solano County Office of Education Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella Henderson. Photo courtesy of Karin Sturgis/Solano County Office of Education

“I’m a special ed teacher and I teach from kindergarten to second-grade. I teach all academic skills, daily living skills and behavioral strategies. I am really big on teaching social-emotional learning, building that bond, that rapport that makes students available to learn. Self-regulation is my main goal,” said Schrunk.

To Schrunk, the best part of her job is being able to see her students grow. To support this growth, Schrunk acts as a mentor teacher, volunteers with organizations such as the Down Syndrome Information Alliance and has a classroom garden. Her hard work has earned her eligibility to represent Solano County at the state level.

“I am so thrilled to potentially represent special education and our little Solano County,” said Schrunk. “I think it is important to put us on everyone’s radar and show what an impactful and wonderful special education program we have here.”

For more information about the awards, visit the Dixon Unified School District Facebook page or the Solano County Office of Education’s Instagram @solanocoe.