Frequently Asked Questions
There are numerous reasons to nominate an employee. These are but a few examples:
- An employee comes up with a way to improve a process that results in a positive and efficient outcome
- An employee fosters an extraordinary sense of teamwork during the development of a new program
- An employee provides outstanding service to a parent
- An employee personally relates to a student which results in that student attending school more regularly
- An employee trains a colleague in a system/procedure that improves the school’s/office’s overall efficiency
An “Everyday Hero” is a permanent classified employee of the Los Angeles Unified School District who has been recognized for demonstrating excellence in work performance, school and community involvement, and/or leadership and commitment to our District and students. These are the individuals who go above the call of duty and truly represent the best of our classified service.
Any permanent classified employee may be recognized as an Everyday Hero. If a non-classified employee or certificated employee receives a recognition submission, then the recognized individual, their supervisor and the submitter will still be notified of their recognition but will not continue further in the recognition program.
Not only does research indicate that employee recognition relates to employee satisfaction, happiness, job attendance, and performance, but it is also emotionally rewarding to acknowledge others who are doing great work with a great attitude. Everyone wants to feel appreciated and letting someone know their hard work has not gone unnoticed strengthens you, the person you recognize, the community, and LAUSD as a whole.
After you have submitted your recognition message, an email containing your recognition message will be sent within one week to your Everyday Hero, his/her supervisor, and you, to let you know that it has been sent.
From there, a recognized employee may move on to the next level of the Everyday Heroes Program tier if they remain as a permanent active classified employee in good standing with LAUSD and receive an additional endorsement by their supervisor.
No, you do not need to write a masterpiece, a sonnet, or an extensive biographical piece of literature in order to recognize someone. We do, however, have some suggestions for your nominations which can be found here that can help make your good submission into GREAT.
You do, however, need to fill out and submit the online recognition form as completely and accurately as possible. Your ability to do so will help us contact supervisors, employees, and you with more ease and accuracy in regard to the recognition and possible advancement to other tiers in the Everyday Heroes Program.
Employees are chosen by an evaluation committee comprised of a diverse group of senior level staff from various divisions. Committee members review all of the recognitions that have been endorsed by their supervisors to select employees for each ceremony. In cases where the evaluation committee has selected more than one individual per category, Personnel Commission staff will make the final selection. Committee members refrain from reviewing the submissions for employees for whom they know or have a preconceived notion about, in an effort to keep the review process objective.
Within one week of a submission, an email is sent to the Everyday Hero, his/her supervisor, and the submitter notifying them that the individual has been recognized as an Everyday Hero. The email notification includes a copy of the written recognition information that was submitted in the online recognition form.
If selected as an Outstanding Classified Employee of the year, the employee will be publicly recognized at a Personnel Commission meeting, he/she will receive a certificate identifying them as Outstanding Classified Employee, and he/she will be featured on the District’s and Personnel Commission’s websites, as well as other public venues.
If selected as the Exemplary LAUSD Classified Employee of the Year, this individual will be featured on our District website, highlighted in Personnel Commission publications and website, highlighted on KLCS, recognized during Classified Employee Recognition Week at the Personnel Commission meeting, and will have the opportunity to meet with the Superintendent.
The California Classified School Employee of the Year honorees are determined by the California Department of Education.
There are lots of other ways you can recognize an employee or learn how to effectively give employee recognition. There are a number of resources on our Just-in-Time Learning Resources page that provide guidance on recognition basics (search for “recognition resources”), the organizational benefits of recognition, and what recognition can really do.
